Important Questions-Current Electricity

1 The plot of the variation of potential difference across a combination of three identical cells in series,
versus current is as shown in the figure. What is the emf of each cell? (Delhi 2008)

Total emf of three cells in series = P.D corresponding to zero current = 6V

∴ The emf of each cell = 6/3 = 2V
2 A wire of resistance 8R is bent in the form of a circle. What is the effective resistance between the ends
of a A diameter 2AB? (Delhi 2008)

3 A resistance R is connected across a cell of emf ε and internal resistance r. A potentiometer now
measures the potential difference between the terminals of the cell as V. write the expression for ‘r’ in
terms of ε, V and R. (Delhi 2011)
Answer:

4 When electrons drift in a metal from lower to higher potential, does it mean that all the free electrons of
the metal are moving in the same direction? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:

No, only the drift velocities of the electrons are superposed over their random (haphazard) thermal
velocities. The solid line shows the random path followed by a free electron in the absence of an external
field.
5 Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other of manganin have the same resistance. Which
wire is thicker? (All India 2012)
Answer:

For both wires R and l are same and ρ copper < p manganin.
∴ A copper < A manganin
i.e. Manganin wire is thicker than copper wire.

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6 A 5 V battery of negligible internal resistance is connected across a 200 V battery and a resistance of 39
Ω as shown in the figure. Find the value of the current (Delhi 2013)

Answer:

7 How does the random motion of free electrons in a conductor get affected when a potential difference is
applied across its ends? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Random motion of free electrons gets directed towards the point at a higher potential.
8 Why is a potentiometer preferred over a voltmeter for determining the emf of a cell? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Potentiometer does not draw any (net) current from the cell; while Voltmeter draws some current from
cell, when connected across it, hence it measures terminal voltage. It is why a potentiometer is preferred
over a voltmeter to measure emf.
9 Two metallic wires of the same material have the same length but cross-sectional area is in the ratio 1 : 2.
They are connected
(i) in series and
(ii) in parallel. Compare the drift velocities of electrons in the two wires in both the cases (i) and (ii). (All
India 2008)
Answer:

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10 Calculate the current drawn from the battery in the given network. (All India 2009)

Answer:

11 A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected to two external resistances R1 and R2 and a perfect
ammeter. The current in the circuit is measured in four different situations:
(i) without any external resistance in the circuit
(ii) with resistance R2 only
(iii) with R1 and R2 in series combination
(iv) with R1 and R2 in parallel combination
The currents measured in the four cases are 0.42A, 1.05A, 1.4A and 4.2A, but not necessarily in that
order. Identify the currents corresponding to the four cases mentioned above.
Answer:

12 The network PQRS, shown in the circuit diagram, has the batteries of 4 V and 5 V and negligible internal
resistance. A milliammeter of 20 Ω resistance is connected between P and R. Calculate the reading in the
milliammeter. (Comptt. All India 2012)

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 Answer:
Applying loop rule to loop PQRP
-4 = 60(I – I1) – 20 I1 = 0
or – 4 = 60I – 60I1 – 20I1
or 20I1 -15 I = 1 …[+ by 4 …(i)]
Applying loop Yule to loop PRSP, we get
-5 + 200 I + 20 I1 = 0
4I1 + 40 I = 1 …[+ by 5 …(ii)]

∴ Reading of milliammeter = 0.064 A

13 Use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine the value of the current I1 flowing in the circuit shown in the figure.
(Comptt. Delhi 2013)

Answer:
Using Kirchoff’s first law at junction E, we get
I3 = I3 + I2
In loop ABCDA, using Kirchoff’s second law, we get

80 – 20 I2 + 30 I1 = 0

So (-) sign of current indicates that the direction of current is opposite to that as shown in the circuit
diagram.

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14 A battery of emf E and internal resistance r when connected across an external resistance of 12 ft,
produces a current of 0.5 A. When connected across a resistance of 25 ft, it produces a current of 0.25 A.
Determine
(i) the emf and
(ii) the internal resistance of the cell. (Comptt. All India 2013)

15 A uniform wire of resistance 12 Ω is cut into three pieces so that the ratio of the resistances R1 : R2 : R3 =
1 : 2 : 3 and the three pieces are connected to form a triangle across which a cell of emf 8V and internal
resistance

1 Ω is connected as shown. Calculate the current through each part of the circuit. (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:

16 Use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine the potential difference between the points A and D when no current
flows in the arm BE of the electric network shown in the figure.
Answer:

Let us consider the loop ABED.

Using Kirchhoff’s second law, we have

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17 A battery of emf 12V and internal resistance 2 Ω is connected to a 4 Ω resistor as shown in the figure.
(a) Show that a voltmeter when placed across the cell and across the resistor, in turn, gives the
(b) To record the voltage and the current in the circuit, why is voltmeter placed in parallel and ammeter in
series in the circuit? (All India)

Answer:

We find from the equations (i) and (ii), the voltmeter gives the same reading, i.e. 8 V.
(b) An ammeter is connected in series because same current is flowing in the circuit, while voltmeter is
connected in parallel to measure potential difference across two points in the circuit.
18 A number of identical cells n, each of emf e, internal resistance r connected in series are charged by a
d.c. source of emf elr using a resistor R.
(i) Draw the circuit arrangement.
(ii) Deduce the expressions for
(a) the charging current and
(b) the potential difference across the combination of the cells. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:

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19 A potentiometer wire of length 1 m is connected to a driver cell of emf 3 V as shown in the figure. When a
cell of 1.5 V emf is used in the secondary circuit, the balance point is found to be 60 cm. On replacing this
cell and using a cell of unknown emf, the balance point shifts to 80 cm.

(i) Calculate unknown emf of the cell.

(ii) Explain with reason, whether the circuit works, if the driver cell is replaced with a cell of emf 1 V.
(iii) Does the high resistance R, used in the secondary circuit affect the balance point? Justify your
answer. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:

(ii) The circuit will not work. If emf of auxiliary battery is greater than the emf of the driver cell of the
potentiometer, there will be no balance point on the wire AB. The maximum potential drop across the wire
will be of 1 V and will not be able to balance 1.5 V emf.
(iii) No, the balance point is not affected by the high resistance R because no current flows through the
cell at the balance point.
20 (i) Calculate the equivalent resistance of the given electrical network between points A and B.

(ii) Also calculate the current through CD and ACB, if a 10 V d.c. source is connected between A and B,
and the value of R is assumed as 2 Ω. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(i) Equivalent circuit of the given problem is shown in the given diagram. The simplified circuit is
equivalent to a balanced wheatstone bridge.
Hence there will be no current in arm CD,

(ii) Being a balanced Wheatstone bridge

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21 The figure shows experimental set up of a meter bridge. When the two unknown resistances X and Y are
inserted, the null point D is obtained 40 cm from the end A. When a resistance of 10 Ω is connected in
series with X, the null point shifts by 10 cm.

Find the position of the null point when the 10 Ω resistance is instead connected in series with resistance
‘Y’. Determine the values of the resistances X and Y. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:

22

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23 In a Metre Bridge, the Balance Point is found at a Distance L1 with Resistances R and S as Shown in the
Figure. An Unknown Resistance X is Now Connected in Parallel to the Resistance S and the Balance Point
is found at a Distance L2. Obtain a Formula for X in Terms of L1, L2 and S.

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24 In the circuit shown, R1 = 4Ω, R2 = R3 = 5Ω, R4 = 10Ω and E = 6V. Work out the equivalent resistance of
the circuit and the current in each resistor. (Delhi 2010)

Answer:

25 In the figure a long uniform potentiometer wire AB is having a constant potential gradient along its length.
The null points for the two primary cells of emfs ε1 and ε2 connected in the manner shown are obtained at
a distance of 120 cm and 300 cm from the end A.

Find (i) ε1/ε2

(ii) position of null point for the cell ε1
How is the sensitivity of a potentiometer increased ?
Answer:

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 ∴ Balancing length for cell ε1 = 210 cm
The sensitivity of a potentiometer can be increased by reducing the potential gradient
26 Using Kirchoff’s rules determine the value of unknown resistance R into circuit so that no current flows
through 4ω resistance. Also find the potential difference between A and D. (Delhi 2012)

Answer:

27 Calculate the value of the resistance R in the circuit shown in the figure so that the current in the circuit is
0.2 A. What would be the potential difference between points B and E? (All India 2012)

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 Answer:

28 Write the principle on which the working of a meter bridge is based. In an experiment on meter bridge, a
student obtains the balance point at the point J such that AJ = 40 cm as shown in the figure. The values
of ‘R’ and ‘X’ are both doubled and then interchanged. Find the new position of the balance point. If the
galvanometer and battery are also interchanged, how will the position of balance point be affected?
(Comptt. All India 2012)

Answer:
The principle on which the working of a meter bridge is based, is Wheatstone bridge.

When R and X are doubled and interchanged Let the new balancing length be l.

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29 State the underlying principle of a potentiometer. Write two factors on which the sensitivity of a
potentiometer depends.
In the potentiometer circuit shown in the figure, the balance point is at X. State, giving reason, how the
balance point is shifted when

(i) resistance R is increased?

(ii) resistance S is increased, keeping R constant? (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Potentiometer : A potentiometer is a device used to measure potential difference.

Principle. When a current flows through a wire of uniform thickness, the potential difference be¬tween its
two points is directly proportional to the length of the wire between these two points.

… when [K is called construction potential gradient]

Two factors :
(a) Potential gradient
(b) Length of potentiometer wire.
(i) When R is increased, the balance point will shift towards B.
(ii) If resistance S increased keeping ‘R’ constant, the balance points will not change.
30 A potentiometer wire of length 1.0 m has a resistance of 15 Ω. It is connected to a 5 V battery in
series with a resistance of 5 Ω. Determine the emf of the primary cell which gives a balance point
at 60 cm. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:

Length (l) = 1 m
Resistance of potentiometer wire = 10Ω

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31 A resistance of R Ω draws current from a potentiometer shown in the figure.

The potentiometer has a total resistance R0 Ω. A voltage V is supplied to the potentiometer. Derive an
expression for the voltage across R when the sliding contact is in the middle of the potentiometer.
Answer:

32 A cell of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance V is connected across a variable load resistor R. Draw the plots of
the terminal voltage V versus
(i) R and
(ii) the current I.
It is found that when R = 4 Ω, the current is 1 A and when R is increased to 9 Ω, the current reduces to
0.5 A. Find the values of the emf E and internal resistance r. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:

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33 In the two electric circuits shown in the figure, determine the reading of ideal ammeter (A) and the ideal
voltmeter (V). (Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
(i) In circuit (a)
Total emf = 15 V, Total Resistance = 2Ω

Potential difference between the terminals of 6 V battery

V = E – iR = [6 – (7.5 × 1) = -1.5 V
(ii) In circuit (b)
Effective emf = (9 – 6)V = 3V,
Total Resitance = 2Ω

Potential Difference across 6 V cell,

V = E – (- I)R = V + IR
(∵ Current is in opposite direction to 6 V cell)
= 6 + 1.5 × 1 = 7.5 V
34 In the circuit shown in the figure, find the current through each resistor. (Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
Total emf of the circuit
=8V – 4V = 4V
Since two resistors 30 and 60 are connected in parallel, their combined resistance is

Since all resistors are in series,

R = 0.5 + 4.5 + 2 + 1 = 8Ω

0.5Ω A current will flow in 3 resistors, i.e., 0.5Ω, 4.5Ω and 1Ω.
Current through resistors 30 and 60

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35 The reading of the (ideal) ammeter, in the circuit shown here, equals :
(i) I when key K1 is closed but key K2 is open.
(ii) I2 when both keys K1 and K2 are closed.
Find the expression for the resistance of X in terms of the resistances of R and S. (Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
Finding the expression for the resistance X
(i) Current I when K2 is open and Kj is closed E

36
State the principle potentiometer.
(i) State the principle of working of a potentiometer
(ii) In the given potentiometer circuit AB is a uniform wire of length 1 m and resistance 10Ω. Calculate the
potential gradient along the wire and balance length AO (= l). (Delhi 2017)

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37 (a) State the two Kirchhoff’s laws. Explain briefly how these rules are justified.
(b) The current is drawn from a cell of emf E and internal resistance r connected to the network of
resistors each of resistance r as shown in the figure. Obtain the expression for
(i) the current drawn from the cell and
(ii) the power consumed in the network. (Delhi 2016)

Answer:
(a) Junction Rule : At any Junction, the sum of currents, entering the junction, is equal to the sum
of currents leaving the junction.
Loop Rule : The Algebraic sum of changes in potential, around any closed loop involving resistors
and cells, in the loop is zero.

Justification: The first law is in accordance with the law of conservation of charge. The second law
is in accordance with the law of conservation of energy.
(b) Given : EMF = E, internal resistance = r, resistance of each resistor = r
The equivalent circuit diagram is shown below

i) The two resistances of V each between points C and D are in parallel

Similarly two resistances between points E and F are in parallel,

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 Now these resistances rCD and rEF are in series,

38

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39 State Kirchhoff’s rules. Use these rules to write the expressions for the currents Ilt I2 and I3 in the circuit
diagram shown in figure below.

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40

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41 Calculate the value of R in the balance condition of the Wheatstone bridge, if the carbon resistor
connected across the arm CD has the colour sequence red, red and orange, as shown in the
figure.

(iii) If now the resistance of the arms BC and CD are interchanged, to obtain the balance
condition, another carbon resistor is connected in place or R. What would now be sequence of
colour bands of the carbon resistor?[Delhi 2012]
Ans.

42 In the given circuit, assuming point A to be at zero potential, use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine
the potential at point B

Ans.
In the given circuit, assuming point A to be at zero potential, use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine
the potential at point B

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Ans.
The adjoining graph shows the variation of terminal potently difference V, across a combination o
three cells in series to a resistor vers1 the current I.

(i)Calculate the emf of each cell.

(ii)For what current I, will the power dissipation of the circuit be maximum? [All India 2008]
Ans.

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43 In the circuit shown in the figure, find the total resistance of the circuit and the current in the arm
CD.

44 A battery of emf E and internal resistance, r, when connected with an external resistance of 12 Ω
Produces a current of 0.5 A. When connected across a resistance of 25Ω, it produces a current of 0.25 A.
Determine (i) the emf and (ii) the internal resistance of the cell.

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45 The following table gives the length of three copper wires, their diameters, and the applied potential
difference across their ends. Arrange the wires in increasing order according to the
following :
(i) The magnitude of the electric field within them,
(ii) The drift speed of electrons through them, and
(iii) The current density within them.

46 (i) The potential difference applied across a given resistor is altered so that the heat produced per second
increases by a factor of 9. By what factor does the applied potential difference change ? (ii) In the figure
shown, an ammeter A and a resistor of 4 Ω are connected to the terminals of the source. The emf of the
source is 12 V having an internal resistance of 2 W. Calculate the voltmeter and ammeter readings.

L et the original potential difference be V volts with heat generated as H.

Now heat generated will be :

Take the new potential difference as V’ and change in heat produced be H’, so, Change in heat produced
But from the question, if the heat produced by a factor of 9, so

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47 A 100 V battery is connected to the electric network as shown. If the power consumed in the 2 Ω resistor
is 200 W, determine the power dissipated in the 5 Ω resistor.

Current flowing through the resistance 2 Ω

𝑃
I =� = 10𝐴
𝑅
= 10 A
∴ Potential drop across the 2 Ω resistor = 20 V
Therefore, potential 40 Ω = 80 V.
Current through 5 Ω, I = 80/10 = 8 A
∴ Power dissipated in the 5 Ω resistor = (8)2 × 5 W
= 320 W
48 Calculate the potential difference between B and D in the circuit diagram as shown in the figure.

Using Kirchhoff's voltage rule, we have :

For loop DABD
(1 × I1 + (1) + (–2) + 2I1 + 2(I1 + I2) = 0
Or 5I1 + 2I2 = 1 ...(i) ½
For loop DCBD
+ I2 × 3 + (3) + (–1) + 1 × I2 + 2(I1 + I2) = 0
Or 2I1 + 6I2 = –2 ...(ii) ½
Solving (i) and (ii), we get
I1 = 5/13A
I2 = −6/13A
∴ Current through DB = I1 + I2 = 1 /13A∴ P.D. between B and D = 0.154 A

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49

50

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51 Calculate the value of the resistance R in the circuit shown in the figure, so that the current in the circuit is
0.2A. What would be the potential difference between points A and B ?

Ans.

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52 Two heating elements of resistances R1 and R2 when operated at a constant supply of voltage V, consume
powers P1 and P2, respectively. Deduce the expressions for the power of their combination when they are,
in turn, connected in
(i)series and
(ii)parallel across their same voltage supply.[All India 2011]
Ans.

53 You are given two sets of potentiometer circuit to measure the emf E1 of a cell.
Set A: consists of a potentiometer wire of a material of resistivity ρ1, area of cross-section A1 and length l.
Set B: consists of a potentiometer of two composite wires of equal lengths l2 each, of resistivity ρ1, ρ2 and
area of cross-section A1, A2 respectively.
(i) Find the relation between resistivity of the two wires with respect to their area of cross section, if the
current flowing in the two sets is same.
(ii) Compare the balancing length obtained in the two sets.

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54 Calculate the value of the unknown potential V for the given potentiometer circuit. The total length (400
cm) of the potentiometer wire has a resistance of 10 Ω and the balance point is obtained at a length of 240
cm.

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55 (i) Why are the connections between the resistors in a meter bridge made of thick copper strips?
(ii) Why is it generally preferred to obtain the balance point in the middle of the metre bridge wire?
(iii) Which material is used for the metre bridge wire and why?
Ans. (i) This is to ensure that the connections do not contribute any extra, unknown, resistances in the
circuit. 1
(ii) This is done to minimize the percentage error in the value of the unknown resistance.
Alternatively, This is done to have a better "balancing out" of the effects of any irregularity or non-
uniformity in the meter bridge wire. This can help in increasing the sensitivity of the meter bridge circuit. 1
(iii) Manganin / Constantan / Nichrome These materials have a low temperature (any one ) coefficient of
resistance / high resistivity.
56

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57

58

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59

60

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 Net resistance be r ;

So, net Current drawn from battery:

Potential difference between C and D be e :

After stretching the wire to twice length, the resistance will become 4 times ;

So, each resistance becomes 4 × 4 = 16 Ohm.

Net current be I ;

Potential difference across its diagonal will be E:

Potential difference will remain equal to potential drop of DC and CB resistors :

61

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62 The diagram below shows a potentiometer set up. On touching the jockey near to the end X of the potentiometer
wire, the galvanometer pointer deflects to left. On touching the jockey near to end Y of the potentiometer, the
galvanometer pointer again deflects to left but now by a larger amount. Identify the fault in the circuit and explain,
using appropriate equations or otherwise, how it leads to such a one-sided deflection.

The positive of E1 is not connected to terminal X.

In loop XGNX, E1 – VG + EXN=0
VG = E1 + EXN VG = E1 + k ℓ So, VG (or deflection) will be maximum when ℓ is maximum i.e. when jockey is
touched near end Y. Also, VG (or deflection) will be minimum when ℓ is minimum i.e. when jockey is touched near
end X.
63 A metal rod of square cross-sectional area A having length I has current I flowing through it when a potential
difference of V volt is applied across its ends (figure ii).What potential difference must be maintained across the
length 2I so that the current in the rod is still I?

64 Two cells of emf 1 V, 2 V and internal resistances 2Ω and 1Ω respectively are connected in (i) series (ii) Parallel.
What should be the external resistance in the circuit so that the current through the resistance be the same in the
two cases? In which case is more heat generated in the cells?

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