1

INSTITUTE APEX

Current electricity
CLASS 12 - PHYSICS

Time Allowed: 50 minutes Maximum Marks : 210

Section A the water is to boil in 10 minutes, should the length of

the heating element be decreased or increased? [2]
1) Two cells of emf E1 and E2 and internal resistances r1 11) The circuit in figure shows two cells connected in oppo-
and r2 are connected in parallel, with their terminals of the sition to each other. CellE1 is of emf 6V and internal
same polarity connected together. Obtain an expression resistance 2Ω; the cell E2 is of emf 4V and internal re-
for the equivalent emf of the combination. [2] sistance 8Ω . Find the potential difference between the
2) A wire of 10 ohm resistance is stretched to thrice its
original length. What will be its
i. New resistivity, and
ii. New resistance? points A and B.
[2]
[2]
3) A potential differenceV is applied across a load resistor 12) Three identical resistors, each of resistance R, when con-
of resistance R. V and R can be varied. If the current nected in series with a d.c. source, dissipate power X.
that flows in the circuit is I, draw a plot showing the If the resistors are connected in parallel to the same d.c.
variation of power consumed by the resistor as a function source, how much power will be dissipated? [2]
of: 13) The figure shows a circuit with three ideal batteries. Find
i. R, keeping V constant the magnitude and direction of currents in the branches
ii. I, keeping R constant AG, BF and CD.
iii. V, keeping R constant
[2]
4) Distinguish between electromotive force and terminal po-
tential difference of a cell. What are their units? [2]
5) Six resistors, each of value4Ω are joined together in a
circuit as shown in the figure. Calculate equivalent re-
sistance across the points A and B. If a cell of emf 2V [2]
is connected across AB, compute the current through the 14) i. State Kirchhoff’s rules and explain on what basis
arms AB and DF of the circuit. they are justified.
ii. Two cells of emfs E1 and E2 and internal resistances
r1 and r2 are connected in parallel. Derive the ex-
pression for the (i) emf and (ii) internal resistance
of a single equivalent cell which can replace this
combination.
[2]
15) i. Draw a graph showing the variation of current versus
[2] voltage in an electrolyte when an external resistance
6) A potential difference V is applied to a conductor of is also connected.
length l, diameter D. How are the electric field E, the ii. The graph between resistance (R) and temperature
drift velocity vd and the resistance R affected when (T) for Hg is shown in the figure. (a) Explain the
i. V is doubled behaviour of Hg near 4K.
ii. L is doubled
iii. D is doubled?
[2]
7) Two materials Si and Cu, are cooled from 300 K to 60
K. What will be the effect on their resistivity? [2]
8) Draw a graph showing the variation of resistivity with
temperature for nichrome. Which property of nichrome
is used to make standard resistance coils? [2] [2]
9) A student has two wires of iron and copper of equal 16) i. Define internal resistance of a cell.
length and diameter. He first joins the two wires in ii. A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is con-
series and passes electric current through the combination nected across a variable resistor R. Plot the shape
which increases gradually. After that he joins the two of graphs showing variation of terminal voltage V
wires in parallel and repeats the process of passing cur- with (i) Rand (ii) circuit current I.
rent. Which wire will glow first in each case and why? [2]
[2] 17) In the circuit shown in Figure, both the ammeter and the
10) In an electric kettle, water boils in 20 minutes after the cell have negligible resistance. Three external resistors
kettle is switched on. With the same supply voltage if are identical. When the switch S is opened, the ammeter
2

reads 0.6 A. What will the ammeter read when the switch heater is further connected across the mains. If 60 W
S is closed? bulb is replaced by 100 W bulb, will the heat produced
by the heater be smaller, remain the same or be larger
and why? [2]
27) Explain the termdrift velocity of electrons in a conductor.
Hence obtain the expression for the current through a
conductor in terms of driftvelocity.
[2] [2]
18) The V - I graphs of two resistors, and their series combi- 28) A metal rod of square cross - sectional area A having
nation, are shown in Figure. Which one of these graphs length I has current I flowing through it when a potential
represents the series combination of the other two? Give difference of V volt is applied across its ends (figure I).
reasons for your answer. Now the rod is cut parallel to its length into two identical
pieces and joined as shown in figure II. What potential
difference must be maintained across the length of 2l so
that the current in the rod is still I?

[2] [2]
19) An electric power station (100 MW) transmits power to a 29) A copper wire of radius 0.1 mm and resistance 1 kΩ is
distant load through long and thin cables. Which of the connected across a power supply of 20 V.
two modes of transmission would result in lesser power i. How many electrons are transferred per second be-
wastage: power transmission of: tween the supply and the wire at one end?
i. 20,000 V or ii. Write down the current density in the wire.
ii. 200 V? [2]
[2] 30) Under what conditions will the strength of current in a
20) One billion electrons pass from a point P towards another wire be the same for connections in series and in parallel
point Q in 10 - 3 s. What is the current in ampere? What of identical cells? [2]
is its direction? [2] 31) The relaxation timeτ is nearly independent of the ap-
21) Why does a bulb not become dim when another bulb of plied E field whereas it changes significantly with temper-
same power in parallel circuit is switched on? [2] ature T. The first fact is (in part) responsible for Ohm’s
22) i. Give reason: law whereas the second fact leads to a variation of ρ
i. Why the connections between the resistors in a with temperature. Elaborate why? [2]
meter bridge are made of thick copper strips, 32) A conductor of length I is connected to a DC source of
ii. Why is it generally preferred to obtain the bal- potential V. If the length of the conductor is tripled by
ance length near the mid - point of the bridge gradually stretching it, keeping V constant, how will
wire. i. Drift speed of electrons and
ii. Calculate the potential difference across the 4Ω resis- ii. Resistance of the conductor be affected? Justify your
tor in the given electrical circuit, using Kirchhoff’s answer
rules. [3]
33) i. You are required to select a carbon resistor of
resistance47kΩ ± 10% from a large collection. What
should be the sequence of colour bands used to code
it?
ii. Write the characteristics of manganin which make it
[2] suitable for making standard resistance.
23) Write the mathematical relation for the resistivity of a [3]
material in terms of relaxation time, number density and 34) A battery consists of 12 cells in series, each having an
mass and charge of charge carriers in it. Explain, using emfε and internal resistor r. Some of the cells in the
this relation, why the resistivity of a metal increases and battery are connected with wrong polarity. This battery
that of a semiconductor decreases with rise in temperature. is connected to another source of emf 2 E and internal
[2] resistance 2 ε . An ammeter in the circuit reads 3 A
24) Two identical cells, each of emf E, having negligible when battery and the source aid each other and 2 A in
internal resistance, are connected in parallel with each the same direction when they oppose each other. Find
other across an external resistance R as shown in figure. how many cells in the battery are connected with wrong
What is the current through this resistance? polarity. [3]
35) Define relaxation time of elections in a conductor. Explain
how it varies with increase in temperature of a conductor.
State the relation between resistivity and relaxation time.
[3]
36) Two cells of emf 2E and E and internal resistances 2r
[2] and r respectively, are connected in parallel. Obtain
25) Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other the expressions for the equivalent emf and the internal
of manganin have the same resistance. Which wire is resistance of the combination. [3]
thicker? [2] 37) Draw a plot showing the variation of resistivity of a
26) A 60 W electric bulb connected in parallel with a room (i) conductor and (ii) semiconductor, with the increase
3

in temperature. How does one explain this behaviour

in terms of number density of charge carriers and the
relaxation time? [3]
38) What does the ammeter A read in the circuit shown in
Figure? What if the positions of the cell and the ammeter
are interchanged? [3]
45) Define the current sensitivity of a galvanometer. Write
its SI unit.
Figure shows two circuits each having a galvanometer
and a battery of 3 V.
When the galvanometer in each arrangement do not show
[3]
any deflection, obtain the ratio R1 /R2 .
39) Establish the relation between drift velocity of electrons
and the electric field applied to the conductor. [3]
40) A battery of 10 V and negligible internal resistance is
connected across the diagonally opposite corners of a cu-
bical network consisting of 12 resistors each of resistance
1Ω (Fig.). Determine the equivalent resistance of the
network and the current along each edge of the cube. [3]
46) There are two electric bulbs rated 60 W, 110 V and 100
W, 110 V. They are connected in series with a 220 V
d.c. supply. Will any bulb fuse? What will happen if
they are connected in parallel with the same supply? [3]
47) Answer the following questions:
i. What is the order of magnitude of the resistance of
a (dry) human body?
ii. If the resistance of our body is so large, why does
one experience a strong shock (sometimes even fatal)
when one accidentally touches the live wire of, say
240 V supply?
[3] iii. There is an impression among many people that a
41) i. Differentiate between the random velocity and the person touching a high power line getsstuck with
drift velocity of electrons in an electrical conductor. the line. Is that true? Explain.
Give their order of magnitudes. iv. Currents of the order of 0.1 A through the human
ii. A conductor of uniform cross - sectional area is body are fatal. What causes the death: heating of
connected across a dc source of variable voltage. the body due to electric current or something else?
Draw a graph showing variation of drift velocity of v. A nerve fiber contains an m em brane separating two
electrons (vd ) as a function of current density (J) in conductingfluids maintained at a potential difference.
it. What is the order of this potential difference?
[3] [3]
42) Answer the following questions: 48) Distinguish between emf(ε) and terminal voltage (V) of
i. A steady current flows in a metallic conductor of a cell having internal resistance r. Draw a plot showing
non - uniform cross - section. Say which of these the variation of terminal voltage (V) versus the current
quantities is constant along the conductor: current, (I) drawn from the cell. Using this plot, show how does
current density, electric field, drift speed? one can determine the internal resistance of the cell? [3]
ii. Is Ohm’s law universally applicable for all conduct- 49) A cell of emf ’E’ and internal resistance ’r’ is connected
ing elements? If not, give examples of elements across a variable load resistor R. Draw the plots of the
which do not obey Ohm’s law. terminal voltage V versus (i) R and (ii) the current I.
iii. A low voltage supply from which one needs high It is found that when R = 4 Ω , the current is 1 A
current must have very low internal resistance. Why? when R is increased to 9 Ω , the current reduces to 0.5
iv. Why a high tension (H.T.) supply of say 6 kV must A. Find the values of the emf E and internal resistance
have a very large internal resistance? r. [3]
[3] 50) The following table gives the length of three copper
43) State Kirchhoff’s rules. Use these rules to write the wires, their diameters, and the applied potential difference
expressions for the currents I1 , I2 and I3 in the circuit across their ends. Arrange the wires in increasing order
diagram shown in figure below. 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.

[3]
44) For the circuit diagram of a Wheatstone bridge shown
in the figure, use Kirchhoff’s laws to obtain its balance
condition.
4

Wire No. Length Diameter Potential [3]

Difference 60) Two bulbs B1 and B2 are connected in series with an
1 L 3d V a.c. source of emf 200 V, as shown in Figure. The
labels on the bulbs read 200 V, 60 W and 200 V, 100
2 2L D V W respectively.

3 3L 2d 2V

[3]
51) Define the conductivity of a conductor and state its SI
unit. State and explain the variation of conductivity of
i. Good conductor
ii. Ionic conductor with temperature. Calculate the ratio of:
[3] i. The resistances of the bulbs, R 1
R2
52) i. Use Kirchhoff’s rules to obtain the balance condition ii. The power being consumed when connected in
in Wheatstone bridge. series, P1
P2
ii. Give one practical application that is based on this iii. The p.d. across the bulbs, VV12 .
principle. [3]
[3] 61) Two conductors are made of the same material and have
53) i. Differentiate between electrical resistance and resis- the same length. Conductor A is a solid wire of di-
tivity of a conductor. ameter 1mm. Conductor B is a hollow tube of outer
ii. Two metallic rods, each of length L, area of cross diameter 2mm and inner diameter 1mm. Find the ratio
A1 and A2, having resistivities ρ1 and ρ2 are con- of resistance RA to RB . [3]
nected in parallel across a d.c. battery. Obtain 62) The temperature coefficient of resistivity, for two materials
the expression for the effective resistivity of this A and B, are 0.0031 / °C and 0.0068 / °C respectively.
combination. Two resistors R1 and R2 made from materials A and B,
[3] respectively, have resistances of 200 Ω and 100 Ω at
54) Two identical slabs, of a given metal, are joined together, 0°C. Show on a diagram, the colour code, of a carbon
in two different ways, as shown in figures (a) and (b). resistor, that would have a resistance equal to the series
combination of R1 and R2 at a temperature of 100°C.
(Neglect the ring corresponding to the tolerance of the
carbon resistor). [3]
What is the ratio of the resistances of these two combi- 63) State the two rules that serve as general rules for analysis
nations? [3] of electric circuit. Use these rules to write the three
55) i. State Ohm’s Law. Represent it mathematically. equations that may be used to obtain the values of the
ii. Define 1 ohm. three unknown currents in the branches of the circuit
iii. What is the resistance of a conductor through which given below:
a current of 0.5 A flows when a potential difference
of 2V is applied across its ends?
[3]
56) At 0°C, the resistance of a conductor B is n times that
of conductor A. The temperature coefficients of A and B
areα1 and α2 respectively. For the series combination
of the two conductors, find
i. The resistance at 0°C and
[3]
ii. The temperature coefficient of resistance
64) i. Draw a graph showing the variation of current versus
[3]
voltage in an electrolyte when an external resistance
57) A student connects a cell, of emfε2 and internal resis-
is also connected.
tance r2 with a cell of emf ε1 and internal resistance r1 ,
ii. i. The graph between resistance (R) and temper-
such that their combination has a net internal resistance
ature (T) for Hg is shown in the figure (a).
less than r1 . This combination is then connected across
Explain the behaviour of Hg near 4 K.
a resistance R.
Draw a diagram of the ’set - up’ and obtain an expression
for the current flowing through the resistance. [3]
58) Define resistivity of a conductor. Plot a graph showing
the variation of resistivity with temperature for a metal-
lic conductor. How does one explain such a behaviour,
using the mathematical expression of the resistivity of a
material. [3] ii. In which region of the graph shown in the fig-
59) A cell of emfε and internal resistance r is connected ure (b) is the resistance negative and why?
across a variable resistance R. Plot graphs showing the
variation of
i. ε and R,
ii. Terminal p.d. V with R. Predict from the second
graph under which V becomes equal toε .
5

metal.
[5]
70) i. You are required to select a carbon resistor of resis-
tance of470Ω± 5% from a shopkeeper. What would
be the sequence of colour bands required to code
the desired resistor?
ii. Explain briefly why electric power from power sta-
[3] tions to homes/factories is delivered via transmission
65) A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected cables at high voltages.
across a variable resistor R. Plot a graph showing varia- [5]
tion of terminal voltage V of the cell versus the current I. 71) i. State Kirchhoff’s rules. Use them to obtain the
Using the plot, show the emf of the cell and its internal condition of balance for a Wheatstone Bridge.
resistance can be determined. [3] ii. Use Kirchhoff’s rule to determine the currents flow-
66) i. Estimate the average drift speed of conduction elec- ing through the branches MN, TO and SP in the
trons in a copper wire of cross - sectional area 1.0× circuit shown in the figure.
10–7 m2 carrying a current of 1.5 A. Assume that
each copper atom contributes roughly one conduction
electron. The density of copper is 9.0 × 103 kg/m3 ,
and its atomic mass is 63.5 u.
ii. Compare the drift speed obtained above with,
i. Thermal speeds of copper atoms at ordinary
temperatures, [5]
ii. Speed of propagation of electric field along the 72) Read the source given below and answer any four out of
conductor which causes the drift motion. the following questions:
[5] According to Ohm’s law, the current flowing through a
67) i. A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference
to two external resistances R1 and R2 and a perfect across the ends of the conductor i.e., I ∝ V ⇒ VI = R
ammeter. The current in the circuit is measured in , where R is resistance of the conductor. Electrical re-
four different situations: sistance of a conductor is the obstruction posed by the
i. Without any external resistance in the circuit. conductor to the flow of electric current through it. It
ii. With resistance R1 only depends upon length, area of cross - section, nature of
iii. With R1 and R2 in series combination. material and temperature of the conductor. We can write,
iv. With R1 and R2 in parallel combination. R ∝ Al or R = ρ Al , where ρ is electrical resistivity of
the material of the conductor.
i. Dimensions of electric resistance is
i. [ML2 T - 2 A - 2 ]
ii. [ML2 T - 3 A - 2 ]
iii. [M - 1 L - 2 T - 1 A]
The currents measured in the four cases are 0.42 iv. [M - 1 L2 T2 A - 1 ]
A, 1.05 A, 1.4 A and 4.2 A, but not necessarily ii. If 1µ A current flows through a conductor when
in that order. Identify the currents corresponding potential difference of 2 volt is applied across its
to the four cases mentioned above. ends, then the resistance of the conductor is
ii. A variable resistor R is connected across a cell of i. 2× 106 Ω
emf E and internal resistancer as shown in the fig- ii. 3× 105 Ω
ure. iii. 1.5× 105 Ω
Plot a graph showing the variation of iv. 5× 107 Ω
i. Terminal voltage V and iii. Specific resistance of a wire depends upon
ii. The current I, as a function of R i. Length
[5] ii. Cross - sectional area
68) i. Define the term of drift velocity. iii. Mass
ii. On the basis of electron drift, derive an expression iv. None of these
for resistivity of a conductor in terms of number iv. The slope of the graph between potential difference
density of free electrons and relaxation time. On and current through a conductor is
what factors does resistivity of a conductor depend? i. A straight line
iii. Why alloys like Constantan and Manganin are used ii. Curve
for making standard resistors? iii. First curve then straight line
[5] iv. First straight line then curve
69) i. Why do the free electrons, in a metal wire, flowing v. The resistivity of the material of a wire 1.0 m long,
by themselves, not cause any current flow in the 0.4 mm in diameter and having a resistance of 2.0
wire? ohm is
Define drift velocity and obtain an expression for i. 1.57× 10 - 6 Ω m
the current flowing in a wire, in terms of the drift ii. 5.25× 10 - 7 Ω m
velocity of the free electrons. iii. 7.12× 10 - 5 Ω m
ii. Use the above expression to show that the resistivity, iv. 2.55× 10 - 7 Ω m
of the material of a wire, is inversely proportional [4]
to the relaxation time for the free electrons in the 73) Read the source given below and answer any four out of
6

the following questions: of the wire is 2.0 × 10 - 6

m2 and it is carrying a
Metals have a large number of free electrons nearly 1028 current of 3.0 A.
per cubic metre. In the absence of electric tield, aver- i. 8.1× 104 s
age terminal speed of the electrons in random motion at ii. 2.7× 104 s
room temperature is of the order of 105 ms - 1 . When iii. 9× 103 s
a potential difference V is applied across the two ends iv. 3× 103 s
of a given conductor, the free electrons in the conduc- [4]
tor experiences a force and are accelerated towards the 74) Read the source given below and answer any four out of
positive end of the conductor. On their way, they suffer the following questions:
frequent collisions with the ions/atoms of the conductor Whenever an electric current is passed through a conduc-
and lose their gained kinetic energy. After each collision, tor, it becomes hot after some time. The phenomenon
the free electrons are again accelerated due to electric of the production of heat in a resistor by the flow of
field, towards the positive end of the conductor and lose an electric current through it is called heating effect of
their gained kinetic energy in the next collision with the current or Joule heating. Thus, the electrical energy sup-
ions/atoms of the conductor. The average speed of the plied by the source of emf is converted into heat. In
free electrons with which they drift towards the positive purely resistive circuit, the energy expended by the source
end of the conductor under the effect of applied electric entirely appears as heat. But if the circuit has an active
field is called drift speed of the electrons. element like a motor, then a part of the energy supplied
by the source goes to do useful work and the rest appears
as heat. Joule’s law of heating form the basis of various
electrical appliances such as electric bulb, electric furnace,
electric press etc.
i. Magnitude of drift velocity per unit electric field is
i. Current density
ii. Current
iii. Resistivity
iv. Mobility
i. Which of the following is a correct statement?
ii. The drift speed of the electrons depends on
i. Heat produced in a conductor is independent of
i. Dimensions of the conductor
the current flowing.
ii. Number density of free electrons in the conduc-
ii. Heat produced in a conductor varies inversely
tor
as the current flowing.
iii. Both dimensions of the conductor and number
iii. Heat produced in a conductor varies directly as
density of free electrons in the conductor
the square of the current flowing.
iv. Neither dimensions of the conductor nor number
iv. Heat produced in a conductor varies inversely
density of free electrons in the conductor
as the square of the current flowing.
iii. We are able to obtain fairly large currents in a
ii. If the coil of a heater is cut to half, what would
conductor because
happen to heat produced?
i. The electron drift speed is usually very large
i. Doubled
ii. The number density of free electrons is very
ii. Halved
high and this can compensate for the low val-
iii. Remains same
ues of the electron drift speed and the very
iv. Becomes four times
small magnitude of the electron charge
iii. A 25 W and 100W are joined in series and connected
iii. The number density of free electrons, as well
to the mains. Which bulbs will glow brighter?
as the electron drift speeds, are very large and
i. 100 W
these compensate for the very small magnitude
ii. 25 W
of the electron charge
iii. Both bulbs will glow brighter
iv. The very small magnitude of the electron charge
iv. None will glow brighter
has to be divided by the still smaller product of
iv. A rigid container with thermally insulated wall con-
the number density and drift speed to get the
tains a coil of resistance 100Ω , carrying current
electric current.
1A. Change in its internal energy after 5 min will
iv. Drift speed of electrons in a conductor is very small
be
i.e., i = 10 - 4 ms - 1 . The Electric bulb glows
i. 0 kJ
immediately. When the switch is closed because
ii. 10 kJ
i. Drift velocity of electron increases when switch
iii. 20 kJ
is closed
iv. 30 kJ
ii. Electrons are accelerated towards the negative
v. The heat emitted by a bulb of 100 W in 1 min is
end of the conductor
i. 100 J
iii. The drifting of electrons takes place at the entire
ii. 1000 J
length of the conductor
iii. 600 J
iv. The electrons of conductor move towards the
iv. 6000 J
positive end and protons of conductor move
[4]
towards negative end of the conductor.
75) Read the source given below and answer any four out of
v. The number density of free electrons in a copper
the following questions:
conductor is 8.5× 1028 m - 3 . How long does an
The Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of null
electron take to drift from one end of a wire 3.0 m
deflection, i.e. the ratio of their resistances are equal and
long to its other end? The area of cross - section
7

no current flows through the circuit. Under normal con- iii. Why are the connections between resistors in a
ditions, the bridge is in the unbalanced condition where Wheatstone or meter bridge made of thick copper
current flows through the galvanometer. The bridge is strips?
said to be in a balanced condition when no current flows i. Minimize the resistance
through the galvanometer. This condition can be achieved ii. Maximize the resistance
by adjusting the known resistance and variable resistance. iii. Minimize current
iv. None of these
iv. What happens if the galvanometer and cell are in-
terchanged at the balance point of the bridge?
i. Current flow
ii. Show deflection
iii. No deflection
iv. Low resistance
v. In a metre bridge [Fig. below], the balance point is
found to be at 39.5 cm from the endA, when the
resistor Y is of 12.5 Ω . Determine the resistance
of X.
i. The Wheatstone bridge is an arrangement of four
resistances – R1 , R2 , R3 , R4 . The null - point
condition is given by:
i. R R3
R2 = R4
1

ii. R1 + R2 = R3 + R4
iii. R2 = R4R+R3
1
iv. R R3
R1 = R4
2

ii. The Wheatstone bridge is used for the precise mea- i. 8.2Ω
surement of . ii. 8.4Ω
i. High resistance iii. 7.2Ω
ii. Low resistance iv. 8.6Ω
iii. Low current [4]
iv. High current