CURRENT ELECTRICITY

1. For a metallic conductor, the correct representation of variation of resistance R with

temperature T is :(option d)

2. The potential difference across a cell in an open circuit is 8 V. It falls to 4 V when a

current of 4 A is drawn from it. The internal resistance of the cell is :
a) 4Ω b)3Ω c) 2Ω d) 1Ω
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 (option A)

4. The current in a device varies with time t as I = 6 t, where I is in mA and t is in S. The

amount of charge that passes through the device during t = 0s to t = 3s is
a) 10 mC b)18 mC c) 27 mC d) 54 mC
5. The current density due to drift electrons in a conductor is given by:(symbols have
their usual meanings)
𝑛𝐴𝑉 𝑛𝑉
a) n e A vd b) 𝑒 𝑑 c) 𝑒𝐴𝑑 d) n e vd
6. A cell of emf E is connected across an external resistance R. When current ‘I’ is
drawn from the cell, the potential difference across the electrodes of the cell drops to
V. The internal resistance ‘r’ of the cell is
𝐸−𝑉 𝐸−𝑉 (𝐸−𝑉)𝑅 𝑬−𝑽
a) ( 𝐸 ) R b) ( 𝑅 ) c) 𝐼 d) ( 𝑽 ) R

7. Assertion: The internal resistance of a cell is constant.

Reason: Ionic concentration of the electrolyte remains same during use of a cell.
Answer: A is false and R is also false.
8. The SI unit of mobility of charge carriers is:
a) Ω s-1 b) m2 V-1 s-1 c) m s-1v-1 d) Ω m
9. The emf and internal resistance of a cell are E and r respectively. It is connected
across an external resistance R = 2r. The potential drop across the terminals of the cell
will be:
𝐸 𝑬 2 𝐸
a) 4 b) 𝟐 c) 3 E d) 3

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
10. 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.
Answer: Both Reason and Assertion(A) is true. R is not the correct explanation
of A
11. A current flows through a series combination of two copper wires of equal length but
their radii are in the ratio of 1:2. The ratio of drift velocities of free electrons in the
wire will be:
a) 8 b) 4 c) 2 d) 1
12. The electric power consumed by a 220V, 100W bulb when operated at 110V is
a) 25W b) 30W c) 35W d) 45W
13. Which of the following has negative temperature coefficient of resistance?
a) Metal b) metal and semiconductor c) Semiconductor d) metal and alloy
14. Kirchoff’s first rule ∑ 𝐼=0 and second rule ∑ 𝐼𝑅 = ∑ 𝐸(where the symbols have their
actual meaning ) are respectively based on
a) Conservation of charge and momentum
b) Conservation of energy, conservation of charge
c) Conservation of charge conservation of momentum
d) Conservation of charge, conservation of energy
15. The masses of two cylindrical wires of copper are in the ratio of 1:3 and their lengths
are in the ratio of 5: 3. The ratio of their resistances will be
a) 1:3 b)2:5 c) 2:3 d)3:5
16. Which one of the following is the correct representation of variation of conductivity
of conductor with temperature?(option C)

17. The number of electrons flowing through a conductor per second is 3.3 x 1019. The
current flowing through the conductor is
a) 2.0A b) 3.4A c) 4.8A d) 5.3A
18. The correct graph showing the variation of the resistance (R) of a cylindrical metal
wire as a function of its radius (r), keeping its length and temperature constant, is
:(option C)

19. A steady current of 8 mA flows through a wire. The number of electrons passing
through a cross section of the wire in 10s is.
a) 4.0 x 1016 b) 5 x 1017 c) 1.6 x 1016 d) 1.0 x 1017

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
20. A current of 0.8A flows in a conductor of 40Ω for 1 minute. The heat produced in the
conductor will be
a) 1445J b)1536J c)1569J d) 1640J
21. Pieces of copper and of silicon are initially at room temperature. Both are heated to
Temperature T. The conductivity of
a) Both increases b) Copper decreases and silicon increases
c) Both decresases d) Copper increases and silicon decreases
22. A battery of emf E and internal resistance r is connected to an external circuit. The
potential drop within the battery is proportional to
a) Current in the circuit c) Total resistance of the circuit
b) Emf of the battery d) Power dissipated in the circuit
23. Two cells of emf E each and internal resistance r and 2r are connected in parallel as
shown in the figure. The equivalent emf of the combination is

𝐸 𝑬
a) Zero b) 2 c) 𝟑 d) E
24. Assertion: The equivalent resistance between points A and B in the given network is
2R
Reason: All the resistors are connected in parallel.

Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.

25. Assertion: The given figure does not show a balanced wheatstone bridge.

Reason: For a balanced wheatstone bridge small current should flow through the
galvanometer.
(C) Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.

26. A battery of 15V and negligible internal resistance is connected across a 50Ω resistor.
The amount of energy dissipated as heat in the resistor in one minute is:
a) 122 J b) 270J c) 420 J d) 720J

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
27. The reistances of two wires having same length and same area of cross section are
2Ω and 8Ω respectively. If the resistance of 2Ω wire is 2.65 x 10-18Ωm then the
resistivity of 8Ω wire is:
a) 10.60 x 10-8Ωm b) 8.32 x 10-8ΩΩm
c) 7.61 x 10 Ωm
-8
d)5.45 x 10-8Ωm
28. When a potential difference V is applied across a conductor at temperature T, the drift
velocity of the electrons is proportional to :
a) T b) √𝑇 c) V d) √𝑉
29. Assertion: The temperature coefficient of resistance is positive for metals and
negative for semi-conductors.
Reason: The charge carriers in a metals are negatively charged whereas in
semiconductors they are positively charged.

SECTION – B

1. 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?
Two differences
1. The potential difference across the electrodes in open circuit is e.m.f. (  ) and in
closed circuit is terminal potential difference (V).
2. V depends on r and  is independent of r.
Precaution
1. Some external resistance should be connected to cell in series.
2. Short circuiting should be avoided.
2. The terminal potential difference of a cell is 19 V when a current of 1.0A flows in the
circuit. It reduces to 17V when the current supplied by the cell is 3.0A. Find the emf and
internal resistance of the cell.

3. Two cells of emf 1.5V and 2.0V having internal resistance 0.2 Ω and 0.3Ω respectively are
connected in parallel. Calculate the emf and internal resistance of the equivalent cell.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

why alloys like constantan and manganin are used for making standard resistors?
It shows very weak dependence of resistivity on temperature
1. How does the mobility of electrons in a conductor change if the potential
difference applied across the conductor is doubled, keeping the length and
temperature of the conductor constant?
No change
2. Two bulbs are rated (P1, V) and (P2 V). If they are connected (i) series and (ii) in
parallel across a supply V, find the power dissipated in the two combinations in
terms of P1 and P2.

3. Nichrome and copper wires of same length and same radius are connected in
series. Current I is passed through them. Which wire gets heated up more?. Justify
your answer.
Nichrome
ResitivityNi>ResistivityCu
4. Two electric bulbs P and Q have their resistances in the ratio of 1 : 2. They are
connected in series across a battery. Find the ratio of the power dissipation in
these bulbs.

5. A 10V cell of negligible internal resistance is connected in parallel across a

battery of emf 200V and internal resistance 38Ω as shown in the figure. Find the
value of current in the circuit.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

6. Define the term ‘conductivity’ of a metallic wire. Write its SI unit.

The conductivity of a material equals the reciprocal of the resistance of its wire of
unit length and unit area of cross section
The conductivity (σ) of a material is the reciprocal of its resistivity (𝜌)]
(Also accept σ = 1/ 𝜌 ) Its SI unit is 1 /𝑜h𝑚−𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑜h𝑚 m-1 or
𝑚h𝑜 m-1 orsiemen m-1
SECTION-C
1. A potential difference V is applied across a conductor of length l and cross-sectional
area A. Briefly explain how the current density j in the conductor will be affected if
a) The potential difference V is doubled
𝐴
b) The conductor were gradually stretched to reduce its cross-sectional area to 2 and
then the same potential difference V is applied across it.

2. A potential difference V is applied across a conductor of length l and uniform cross-

section area A. How will the (i) electric field E, (ii) drift velocity vd, and (iii) current
density j be affected when (a) V is doubled and (b) l is halved(keeping others factors
constant)?
(a) When V is doubled,
(i) Electric field is doubled.
(ii) Drift velocity is doubled.
(iii) Current density is doubled
(b) When l is halved,
(i) Electric field is doubled.
(ii) Drift velocity is doubled.
(iii) Current density is doubled
3. Name the factors on which electrical conductivity of a material depends. Obtain the
relation between current density in a conductor and the conductivity of its material.
𝑛𝑒 2 𝜏
Electric conductivity  = 𝑚
Factors on which conductivity depends
(i) concentration of charge carrier
(ii) relaxation time

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
(iii) mass of charge carrier In a conductor of resistance R, the potential difference
V and Current I.
V=I R

4. Two cells of Emf E1 and E2 and internal resistance r1 and r2 are connected in parallel,
with their terminals of the same polarity connected together. Obtain an expression for
the equivalent emf of the combination.

5. Define current density and relaxation time. Derive an expression for resistivity of
conductor in terms of number density of charge carriers in the conductor and
relaxation time.
Current density is defined as the current flowing per unit area of cross section of a
conductor.
𝐼
J=𝐴
Relaxation time is the average time interval between two successive collisions for
drifting electrons in a conductor.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

6. Obtain a relation between the current flowing in a conductor and drift velocity of
electrons in it. Deduce ohm’s law.

7. A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected to a variable resistance R. Draw

plots showing the variation of (a) terminal voltage V with R, and (b) V with current I,
in the circuit.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

8. The potential difference applied across a given conductor is doubled. How will this
affect (i) the mobility of electrons and (ii) the current density in the conductor? Justify
your answers.

9. Twelve wires each having a resistance of 3Ω are connected to form a cubical

network. A battery of 10V and negligible internal resistance is connected across the
diagonally opposite corners of this network. Determine its equivalent resistance and
the current along each edge of the cube.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

10. Using kirchoff’s rules, Calculate the current through the 40Ω and 20Ω resistors in the
following circuits.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

11. a) 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?

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
b) In the figure shown, an ammeter A and a resistor of 4Ω are connected to the
terminals of the source. The emf of the source is 12V having an internal resistance
of 2Ω. Calculate the voltmeter and ammeter reading.

12. A heating element using nichrome connected to a 230V supply draws an initial
current of 3.2A which settles after a few seconds to a steady value of 2.8 A. what is
the steady temperature of the heating element if the room temperature is 27.00 C and
the temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome is 1.70 x 10 -4C-1?

SECTION- D
Case study:
1. The following figure shows a circuit diagram. We can find the currents through and
potential difference across different resistors using kirchoff’s rules.

Answer the following questions based on the above:

(a) Which points are at the same potential in the circuit?
(b) What is the current through arm bg?
(c) Find the potential difference across resistance R3.
OR
What is the power dissipated in resistance R2
Solution : a) points (a,b,c)

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
(d,e)
(j, f,g,h) are at same potential

2. Case study-Term 1

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

3. A battery is a combination of two or more cells. In the following figure , a single

battery is represented in which two cells of emfε1 and ε2 and internal resistance r1and
r2 respectively are connected.

1. The equivalent emf of this combination is

𝜀1𝑟1+𝜀 𝜀1𝑟1−𝜀 𝜀1𝑟2−𝜀
2𝑟2 2𝑟2 2𝑟1
a) b) c) d) ε1 –ε2
𝑟1+𝑟2 𝑟1+𝑟2 𝑟1+𝑟2
2. For terminal B to be negative:
a) ε1r2> ε2r1 b) ε1r2< ε2r1 c)ε1r1> ε2r2 d)ε2r2 = ε1r1
3. The current in the internal circuit is:
𝜀 +𝜀 𝜀 −𝜀 𝜀 𝜀 𝜀 𝜀
a) 𝑟1+𝑟2 b) 𝑟1 +𝑟2 c)𝑟1 - 𝑟2 d) 𝑟1 - 𝑟2
1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1
4. The equivalent internal resistance of the combination is
𝜀 +𝜀 𝑟 𝑟
a) 𝑟1 𝑟 2 b) r1+r2 c) r1-r2 d) 𝑟 1+𝑟2
1 2 1 2

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
SECTION-E
1. (i) Define mobility of electrons. Give its SI units.
(i) A steady current flows through a wire AB, as shown in the figure. What happens
to the electric field and drift velocity along the wire? Justify your answer.

(ii) Consider the circuit shown in the figure. Find the effective resistance of the circuit
and the current drawn from the battery.

(i) Mobility: Mobility is defined as the magnitude of the drift velocity per
unit electric field.
𝑚2 𝐶.𝑠
S.I. Unit: 𝑉.𝑆 (or) 𝐾𝑔
(ii) Both electric field and the drift velocity decreases.
Justification:
𝐼
Vd = 𝑛𝑒𝐴
As area increases across the wire, drift velocity decreases
𝐸𝑒
Vd = 𝑚 τ
As drift velocity decreases, electric field decreases
(since e ,m and  are constant).
iii) From the diagram
10Ω and 14 Ω are in series R1=10 Ω + 14 Ω = 24 Ω
10 Ω and 10 Ω are in series R2=10 Ω+ 10 Ω = 20 Ω
24 Ω, 20 Ω and 30 Ω are in parallel

R =8Ω
𝑉 6 3
Electric current in the circuit is : I = 𝑅 = 8 = 4 A
2. (i) Define electrical conductivity of a wire. Give its SI unit.
(ii) High current is to be drawn safely from (1) a low voltage battery, and a high- voltage
battery. What can you say about the internal resistance of the two batteries?
iii. Calculate the total energy supplied by the batteries to the circuit shown in the figure,
in one minute.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Definition: Electrical conductivity is defined as the measure of a materials ability to

carry a current through it.
Alternatively: It is the reciprocal of the resistivity.
Alternatively: It is defined as the current density per unit electric field
S.I. Unit: (ohm)-1 m-1 or S-m-1
Low voltage Battery- Internal resistance should be low.
High voltage Battery – Internal resistance should be high
Applying Kirchhoff’s loop rule
10 - I × 1 - 4 -2 I – 6 I – 3I = 0
12 I = 6
I = 0.5 A
Heat Energy H = I2Rt
H = 0.25 x 12 x 60 = 180J
3. (i) Explain how free electrons in a metal at constant temperature attain an average
velocity under the action of an electric field.Hence obtain an expression for it.
(ii) Consider two conducting wires A and B of the same diameter but made of different
materials joined in series across a battery. The number of density of electrons in A is 1.5
times that in B. find the ratio of drift velocity of electrons in wire A to that in wire B.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
4. (i) A cell of emf(E) and internal resistance (r) is connected across a variable load
resistance (R). Draw plots showing the variation of terminal voltage (V) with (i) R and(ii)
the current (I) in the load.
(ii)Three cells, each of emf E but internal resistances 2r, 3r, and 6r connected in parallel
across a resistor R.
Obtain expressions for (i) current flowing in the circuit and (ii) the terminal potential
difference across the equivalent cell.

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

5. (i) State kirchoff’s rules. Use them to obtain the condition of balance for
wheatstone bridge.
Kirchoff’s Rule:
Junction Rule: At any junction, the sum of the current entering the junction is equal to
the sum of the 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.
Wheatstone Bridge:
An important application of kirchoff’s rule. In case of a balanced bridge where the
resistors are such that Ig= 0.
We can easily get the balance condition, such that there is no current through G.
Applying Kirchoff’s Junction Rule to junction D and B
Gives the relations I1 =I3 and I2 = I4

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 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

(ii) Use kirchoff’s rule to determine the current flowing through the branches
MN, TO, and SP in the circuit shown in the figure.

6. (i) Derive the relation between the current and the drift velocity of free electrons
in a conductor. Briefly explain the variation of resistance of a conductor with rise
in temperature.
(ii) An ammeter, together with an unknown resistance in series is connected across two
identical batteries each of emf 1.5V connected (i) in series and (ii) in parallel. If the
1 1
current recorded in the two cases be (2)A and (3)A respectively, Calculate the internal
resistance of each battery.

*********

VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA, WEST