12 SETS

CURRENT ELECTRICITY
CURRENT ELECTRICITY 1

Previous Year Questions

(a) 4 (b) 3

1. For a metallic conductor, the correct representation of (c) 2 (d) 1

variation of resistance R with temperature T is: [CBSE-55-1-1-(2023)]

3. A steady current flows through a metallic wire whose

area of cross-section (A) increases continuously from
one end of the wire to the other. The magnitude of drift
velocity  vd  of the free electrons as a function of ‘A’

can be shown by:

(a)

(a)

(b)

(b)

(c)
(c)

(d)

[CBSE-55-1-1-(2023)]

4. The following figure shows a circuit diagram. We can

(d)
find the currents through and potential differences
[CBSE-55-1-1-(2023)]
across different resistors using Kirchhoff’s rules.
2. The potential difference across a cell in an open circuit
is 8V. It falls to 4V when a current of 4A is drawn from
it. The internal resistance of the cell is:
 2 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

[CBSE-55-2-1-(2023)]

8. Define current density and relaxation time. Derive an

expression for resistivity of a conductor in terms of
number density of charge carriers in the conductor and
relaxation time.

[CBSE-55-2-1-(2023)]

Answer the following questions bases on the above: 9. Which one of the following is not a scalar quantity?

(a) Which points are at the same potential in the circuit? (a) Electric field (b) Voltage

(b) What is the current through arm bg? (c) Resistivity (d) Power

(c) Find the potential difference across resistance R3 [CBSE-55-3-1-(2023)]

10. The current density due to drift of electrons in a

OR
conductor is given by: (Symbols have their usual
(c) What is the power dissipated in resistance R2 ?
meanings)
[CBSE-55-1-1-(2023)]
nAvd
(a) neAvd (b)
5. A current of 0.8 A flows in a conductor of 40 for 1 e
minute. The heat produced in the conductor will be nvd
(c) (d) nevd
(a) 1445 J (b) 1536 J eA

(c) 1569 J (d) 1640 J [CBSE-55-3-1-(2023)]

[CBSE-55-2-1-(2023)] 11. Assertion (A): The internal resistance of a cellis

6. A cell of emf E is connected across an external constant.

resistance R. When current ‘I is drawn from the cell, the Reason (R): Ionic concentration of the electrolyte
potential difference across the electrodes of the cell remains same during use of a cell.
drops to V. the internal resistance ‘r’ of the cell is (a) Both assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
 E V   E V  Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion
(a)  R (b)  
 E   R  (A).

E V  R  E V  (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but
(c) (d)  R
I  V  Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the

[CBSE-55-2-1-(2023)] Assertion (A).

(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false

7. Pieces of copper and of silicon are initially at room
temperature. Both are heated to temperature T. The (d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.
conductivity of [CBSE-55-3-1-(2023)]
(a) Both increases. 12. A potential difference V is applied across a conductor
(b) Both decreases of length l and uniform cross-section area A. How will

(c) Copper increases and silicon decreases the (i) electric field E, (ii) drift velocity vd , and (iii)

(d) Copper decreases and silicon increases current density j be affected when (a) V is doubled and
(b) l is halved (keeping other factors constant) ?
CURRENT ELECTRICITY 1

[CBSE-55-3-1-(2023)]

13. Assertion (A): When three electric bulbs of power

200W, 100W and 50W are connected in series to a
source, the power consumed by the 50W bulb is
maximum.

Reason (R): In a series circuit, current is the same

through each bulb, but the potential difference across
each bulb is different. OR

(a) Both assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and (b) (i) Define electrical conductivity of a wire. Give its

Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion SI unit.

(A). (ii) High current is to be drawn safely from (1) a low-

(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but voltage battery, and (2) a high – voltage battery. What

Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the can you say about the internal resistance of the two

Assertion (A). batteries?

(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false (iii) Calculate the total energy supplied by the batteries
to the circuit shown in the figure, in one minute.
(d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

[CBSE-55-4-1-(2023)]

14. Write two differences between the emf and terminal

potential difference of a cell. What is the most important
precaution that one should take while drawing current
from a cell?

[CBSE-55-4-1-(2023)]

15. (a) (i) Define mobility of electrons. Give its SI units. [CBSE-55-4-1-(2023)]

(ii) A steady current flows through a wire AB, as shown 16. Assertion (A): The equivalent resistance between
in the figure. What happens to the electric field and the points A and B in the given network is 2R.
drift velocity along the wire? Justify your answer. Reason (R): All the resistors are connected in parallel.

(a) Both assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion
(iii) Consider the circuit shown in the figure. Find the
(A).
effective resistance of the circuit and the current drawn
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but
from the battery.
Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion (A).
 2 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false is 1.5 times that in B. Find the ratio of drift velocity of

(d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false. electrons in wire A to that in wire B.

[CBSE-55-5-1-(2023)] OR

17. The potential difference applied across a given (b) (i) A cell emf of (E) and internal resistance (r) is

conductor is doubled. How will this affect (i) The connected across a variable load resistance (R). Draw

mobility of electrons and (ii) The current density in the plots showing the variation of terminal voltage V with

conductor? Justify you answers. (i) R and (ii) The current (I) in the load.

[CBSE-55-5-1-(2023)] (ii) Three cells, each of emf E but internal resistance 2r,
3r and 6r are connected in parallel across a resistor R.
18. (a) (i) Explain how free electrons in a metal at constant
temperature attain an average velocity under the action Obtain expressions for (i) Current flowing in the circuit,

of an electric field. Hence obtain an expression for it. and (ii) The terminal potential difference across the
equivalent cell.
(ii) Consider two conducting wires A and B of the same
diameter but made of different materials joined in series [CBSE-55-5-1-(2023)]

across a battery. The number density of electrons in A

CURRENT ELECTRICITY 1

Solutions
I1  10 I 2  6 ....  i 

1. (d) For closed loop acfha

6  10  I1  I 2   I1  0

11I1  10 I 2  6 ....  ii 

Adding (i) and (ii)

2. (d) 1
I 2 I1  12
3. (a)
I1  1A

I 2  0.5 A

= current through arm bg

Note: A ward 1 mark if a student calculates the current

by any other method.
4. (a) Points at same potential
(c) VR3   I1  I 2   R3
(b) Current through arm bg
 0.5  5  2.5V
(c) Potential difference across R3
OR
OR
(c) P   I1  I 2   R2   0.5   5  1.25Q
2 2
(c) Power dissipated in R2

(a) Points (a, b, c) 5. (b) 1536 J

(d, e)  E V 
6. (d)  R
 V 
(j, f, g, h)
7. (d) Copper decreases and silicon increases.
are at same potential
8. Definition of
Note: Give full credit if a student mentions any two
points at same potential from the above. Current density

(b) Relaxation time

Derivation for resistivity of a conductor

Current density is defined as the current flowing per unit

area of cross section of a conductor.

Alternatively:

I
Give full credit if a candidate writes j  in place of
A
According to Kirchhoff’s loop rule for closed loop
definition
abgha

6  10 I 2  I1  0
 2 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Relaxation time is the average time interval between V

(i) E  ;  E   2E
two successive collisions for drifting electrons in a l
conductor.  eE  e  V 
(ii) vd      
From I  nAevd m ml 

eE vd  V ; vd  2vd
but vd  
m
I V
(iii) Current density J  
eE A RA
 I  nAe. 
m  J is also doubled.

I ne 2 E (a) When l is halved

j 
A m
V
(i) E  ;  E  2E
E l
But j 

 eE  e V 
(ii) vd       
m m
  m l 
 
ne 2
 vd  2vd
9. (a) Electric field
I V V A V
10. (d) nevd (iii) J     
A RA A   l   l
11. (d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.  J is also doubled.
12. (a) When V is doubled, effect on 13. (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but
(i) Electric field Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the
(ii) Drift velocity Assertion (A).

(iii) Current density 14. Two differences

(b) When l is halved, effect on Important precaution

(i) Electric field Two differences

(ii) Drift velocity 1. The potential difference across the electrodes in open

(iii) Current density circuit is e.m.f.    and in closed circuit is terminal

(a) When V is doubled, potential difference (V).

(i) Electric field is doubled, 2. V depends on r and  is independent of r.

(ii) Drift velocity is doubled. Precaution:

(iii) Current density is doubled. 1. Some external resistance should be connected to cell
in series.
(b) When l is halved.
2. Short circuiting should be avoided.
(i) Electric field is doubled.
15. (a)
(ii) Drift velocity is doubled.
(i) Definition & S.I unit
(iii) Current density is doubled

Alternatively:
CURRENT ELECTRICITY 1

(ii) Change in Electric field and drift velocity along the (i) Definition: Electrical conductivity is defined as the
wire justification measure of a material’s ability to carry a current through

Effective resistance and current it.

(i) Mobility: Mobility is defined as the magnitude of the Alternatively: It is the reciprocal of the resistivity.

drift velocity per unit electric field. Alternatively: It is defined as the current density per
unit electric field.
m2 C.s
S.I unit: or
1
V .s kg S.I unit:  ohm   m 1 or S  m 1
(ii) Both electric field and the drift velocity decreases. (ii) Low voltage Battery –
Justification: Internal resistance should below.
I High voltage Battery –
vd 
neA
Internal resistance should be high.
As area increases across the wire, drift velocity
(iii) Applying Kirchhoff’s loop rule
decreases.
10  I  1  4  2 I  6 I  3I  0
eE
vd   12 I  6  I  0.5 A
m

As drift velocity deceases, electric field decreases. Heat energy H  I 2 Rt

(since e, m and  are constant). H  0.25  12  60  180 J

(iii) From the diagram 16. (c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false

10 and 14 are in series R1  10  14  24 17. (i) Effect of potential difference on mobility of electron
Justification
10 and 10 are in series R2  10  10  20
(i) Effect of potential difference on current density
24, 20 and 30 are in parallel.
Justification
1 1 1 1 5  6  4 15 (i) No effect
    
R 24 20 30 120 120
vd l l
R  8    Constant
V enAR
Electric current in the circuit vd e
Alternatively:     Constant
V 6 3 E m
I   A
R 8 4 (ii) As J  V , Current density gets doubled
Note: Full credit of 1 ½ marks is to be awarded for part
I V
(iii) even if a student does not attempt this part. J 
A RA
OR 18. (a) (i) Explanation
(b) (i) Definition & S.I unit Obtaining expression for average velocity
(ii) Explanation of internal resistance for low voltage (ii) Finding ratio of drift velocities
and high voltage battery
(a) (i) Under the effect of external field, an electron
(iii) Total energy.  
experiences a force F   eE between collisions.
2 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Due to this force the electron is accelerated and attains
a velocity. This velocity is different for different
electrons, which averaged over all electrons gives
average drift velocity. This drift velocity is constant for
a given temperature.
Expression of average velocity:
(i) Obtaining expression for current flowing through
circuit
(ii) Obtaining expression for terminal potential
difference across the equivalent cell.
(b) (i)

Under the action of an electric field electrons get

eE
accelerated with a  
m

Velocity of an electron at any instant of time is


  eE
Vi  vi  ti
m

Average velocity of the electors at time ‘t’ is the drift

velocity (ii)

 
vd  Vi average


Vi average   vi average  eE
m
 ti average

But  vi average  0 due to randomness

 eE
vd  0  
m
 1 1 1 1
 eE (iii)   
vd    req r1 r2 r3
m

I  4I  1 1 1 1 1
(ii) vd      
enA  e D 2  n req 2r 3r 6r

1 req  r
vd  for same diameter and current
n
Given cells are of equal emf (E) and connected in
n A  1.5nB (Given)
parallel, so
vdA nB 2 Eeq E E E
    
vdB n A 3 req 2r 3r 6r
OR
Eeq  E
(b) (i) i plot showing variation of V with R
Eeq
(ii) Plot showing variation of V with I Current flowing I 
R  req
(ii)
E
I
Rr
CURRENT ELECTRICITY 1

The terminal potential difference

V  Eeq  Ireq

E
V E r
R  r
ER
V
Rr