CLASS 7

CHAPTER 14- Electric Current and Its Effects

EXTRA QUESTIONS
SHEET 1
Question 1.
Name two electric devices for each where
(a) heating effect of current is used and
(b) magnetic effect of current is used.
Answer:
(a) Heating effect of current is used in electric heater and geyser.
(b) Magnetic effect of current is used in electric bell and cranes to lift heavy magnetic materials from one
place to other.

Question 2.
Why do we cover plug pinholes which are within the reach of children with cello tape or a plastic cover
when not in use?
Answer:
We do cover plug pinholes which are within the reach of children with cello tape or plastic cover to avoid
electric shocks. If unconsciously, a child puts his finger in the electric socket, the shock may be fatal.

Question 3.
Can we use the same fuse in a geyser and a television set? Explain.

Answer:
No, we cannot use same fuse in a geyser and in a television set because the fuse used in every appliances has
some limit to withstand the current flows through it. So, different appliances have different fuses.

Question 4.
If cells are placed side by side. Then, how are the terminals of the cells connected?
Answer:
If cells are placed side by side, then with the help of some connecting wires, the positive terminal of one cell
is connected to the negative terminal of other to produce a combined power of all cells which can be called a
battery.

Question 5.
Explain how a battery can be constructed.
Answer:
As we know that a battery is a combination of two or more cells and it can be constructed by placing cells
property on cell holder in such a way that the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative
terminal of other.
A piece of wire is connected to each of the two metal clips on the cells holder.

Question 6.
Distinguish between an open circuit and a closed circuit.
Answer:
Difference between an open circuit and a closed circuit

Open (Electric) circuit Closed (Electric) circuit

 A closed circuit is an electric path
An open electric circuit is or
which begins from the positive
electric path which begins from the
terminal of a cell or battery and
positive terminal of a battery or
terminates at its negative terminal
cell, gets broken at some point.
without any break.

Question 7.
Boojho made an electromagnet by winding 50 turns of wire over an iron screw. Paheli also made an
electromagnet by winding 100 turns over a similar iron screw. Which electromagnet will attract more pins?
Give reason.
Answer:
Since the magnetic effect directly depends on the number of turns of the coil. As, Paheli’s coil has a greater
number of turns than Boojho. So, her electromagnet is stronger than Boojho.
So, electromagnet of Paheli attracts more pins as compared to Boojho.

Question 8.
Does the electric current have other effect except heating? Name it.
Answer:
Yes, electric current have other effect except heating, i.e. magnetic effect of current.
When electric current is passed through a coil, there is a magnetic field developed around the coil or wire, if
magnetic compass is placed near by, it deflects the magnetic needle.

Question 9.
Explain the following.
(a) Copper and aluminium wires are usually employed for electricity transmission.
(b) Explain how does the resistance of a wire vary with its length.
(c) The tungsten is used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamp.
Answer:
(a) Due to the low resistance and strength of aluminium and coppers, both these metals are usually employed
for the transmission of electricity.
(b) There is always an increase in the length of the wire with the increase in its resistance.
(c) Since tungsten has high melting point and high resistance. So, tungsten is used exclusively for filament
of electric lamp.

Question 10.
If we connect more cells in the circuit of an electromagnet, what will happen?
Answer:
If we connect more of cells in the circuit, then the nail will attract more pins. It is due to the reason that the
current flowing through the wire wound on the nail will get increase which in turn will increase the strength
of the electromagnet.
Question 11.
Electromagnets are better than permanent magnets. Explain why.
Answer:
An electromagnet can be switched OFF or switched ON as desired and this is not possible in the permanent
magnets. That is why the electromagnets are better than the permanent magnets.

Question 12.
If the current flows through wire, does the wire behave like a magnet?
Answer:
When the current flows through any wire, a magnetic field is developed around that wire or coil and it
behaves like magnet. It can be analysed by placing a magnetic compass around the wire, it will show
deflection of the needle.

Question 13.
Explain with the help of a diagram, how does the magnetic effect of electric current help in the working of
an electric bell.
Answer:
In order to ring the bell first of all we press the push button switch in order to ring the bell. So, when we
press the switch, then the electric circuit of the bell is completed and a current passes through the coil of the
electromagnet and it gets magnetised. The electromagnet attracts the iron armature towards itself.

So, as the armature moves towards the poles of the electromagnet, the clapper attached to it strikes the gong
and produces a ringing sound. It implies that the bell rings.

When the armature moves towards the magnet, its contact with the contact screw is broken. Due to this, the
electric circuit breaks and no current flows in the electromagnet coil. The electromagnet loses its magnetism
for a moment and the armature is no longer attracted by it. The flat spring brings back the iron armature to
its original position and the clapper also moves away from the gong.

As soon as the armature comes back and touches the contact screw the circuit is completed and current starts
flowing in the electromagnet coil again. The electromagnet attracts the iron armature once again and the
clapper strikes the gong again producing a ringing sound.

So, this process of ‘make and break’ of the electric circuit continues as long as we are pressing the switch.
Due to this, the armature vibrates forwards and backwards rapidly each time making the clapper strike the
gong. Thus, the clapper strikes the gong rapidly producing almost continuous sound.
Question 14.
Batteries used in tractors, trucks and inverters are also made from cells. Then why it is called a battery?

Answer:
The cell is the unit of battery when more than one cell are combined together, it forms a battery. In trucks,
tractors and inverters, cells are internally arranged and we need not to connect it externally, so we called it
as batteries.

Question 15.
State one measure to avoid overloading in an electrical circuit. Also mention the name given to a situation in
which the live and the neutral wires accidently come in contact. Describe the role of a safety device in this
situation.
Answer:
Overloading can be avoided if too many appliances are not connected to a single socket. Short circuiting is a
name given to a situation in which the live and the neutral wires accidently come in contact.

Electric fuse is a safety device. When a short circuit takes place or when overloading takes place, then the
current becomes large and heats the fuse wire too much and thus, it gets melted and circuit breaks which
prevents the damage of the wiring and electrical appliances.

Question 16.
Paheli took a wire of length 10 cm. Boojho took a wire of 5 cm of the same material and thickness both of
them connected with wires as shown in the circuit given in figure. The current flowing in both the circuits is
the same.
(a) Will the heat produced in both the cases be equal? Explain.
(b) Will the heat produced be the same, if the wires taken by them are of equal lengths but of different
thickness? Explain.

Answer:
(a) No, the amount of heat produced in both the wires will be different because amount of heat produced in a
wire on passing electric current depends on the length of wire and here length is different for both the wires.
Heating effect of current decreases with the increase in length of wire.
(b) No, the amount of heat produced in the wire of same length but different thickness cannot be same
because amount of heat produced in a wire also depends on the thickness of the wire. Heating effect of
current decreases with the increase in thickness of wire.

Question 16
What is an MCB? Why it is preferred over a fuse?
Answer
MCB stands for Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB).
The problem with the fuses is that whenever overloading occurs the fuse wire melts and it has to be replaced
to complete the circuit. This problem is overcome in miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) which are widely
used nowadays. MCBs are switches that turn off automatically when there is an overload or a short circuit.
After solving the problem in the circuit, the switch can be turned back on, and then the current flows as
usual.
MCB has several advantages over fuse:
1. MCB is more sensitive to current than fuse. It detects any abnormality in the current flow and
automatically switches off the electrical circuit.
2. In case of MCB, the faulty zone of electrical circuit can be easily identified. Faulty circuit trips to the
off position. On the other hand in case of fuse, the complete fuse wire needs to be checked by
opening fuse grip for confirming the faulty zone.
3. With MCB it is very simple to resume to the supply. You just need to push the knob of MCB back to
on position. But in case of fuse, the entire fuse wire needs to be replaced.
4. MCB provides a better interface with the help of knob than a fuse. In case of fuse the compete handle
needs to be taken care out.
5. Handling MCB is electrically safer than handling a fuse.
6. MCB is reusable and hence has less maintenance and replacement cost. Whereas a fuse needs to be
replaced whenever it goes faulty.