Unique Ravians Academy

PHYSICS – II IMP SHORT & LONG [CH # 13]

Q. Write short answers of the following questions.

1. A potential difference is applied across the ends of a copper wire. What is the effect on the drift
velocity of free electrons by (i) increasing the potential difference (ii) decreasing the length and the
temperature of the wire.
Ans. (i) The drift velocity increases by increasing potential difference.
Reason:
By increasing potential difference across the ends of wire, electric field inside the wire which
exerts greater force on free electrons. Hence free electrons move faster.
As
E = V/L
If Length of wire L is constant then
Ε∝V
As
F = qE
F∝E
(ii) The drift velocity increases by decreasing the length and temperature of wire.
Reason:
Effect of length:
According to relation
E = V/L
If potential difference V is constant then
E ∝ 1/L
By decreasing the length of wire, electric field inside the wire increases. Hence drift velocity increases.
Effect of Temperature:
By decreasing the temperature, the resistance of wire decreases. Hence drift velocity of free
electrons increases because they face less collisions.

2. Do bends in a wire affect its electrical resistance? Explain.

Ans. No, bends in wire do not affect its electrical resistance.
Reason:
According to the relation
R = 𝜌L/A
Electrical resistance of wire depends upon length and cross-sectional area of wire. If bends in a
wire do not affect the dimensions of wire, then its resistance remains same.

3. Why does the resistance of the conductor rise with temperature?

Ans. As the temperature of conductor rises, the amplitude of vibration of the atoms of the lattice increases.
So, the probability of their collisions with free electrons increases. Hence the resistance of conductor
increases.

4. What are the difficulties in testing whether the filament of a lighted bulb obeys Ohm’s law?
Ans. Due to rise in temperature of filament with increase in current.
Reason:
When the current passing through the filament is small then the energy dissipated is also very
small. So, the temperature and hence the resistance remains constant. Hence Ohm’s law obeyed.
When the current further increases, the resistance of filament continues to increase due to rise
in temperature. Hence ohm's law not obeyed.

RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI

Unique Ravians Academy
5. Is the filament resistance lower or higher in a 500 W, 220 V light bulb than in a 100 W, 220 V bulb?
𝑉2 𝑉2
Ans. The relation for power drop across a resistive load is P = , so R = . We can calculate resistance of
𝑅 𝑃
each bulb as under:-
P = 500 W P = 100 W
V = 220 V V = 220 V
𝑉2 𝑉2
R= = 2202/500 = 96.8 Ω R= = 2202/100 = 484 Ω
𝑃 𝑃

Hence the filament resistance of 500 W, 220 V rated bulb is less than filament resistance of 100 W, 220 V
rated bulb.

6. Describe a circuit which will give a continuously varying potential?

Ans. Rheostat and potentiometer are electrical devices which can be used to provide varying potential
difference.
In a rheostat, potential difference V is applied across the fixed terminal A and B with the help of a battery. If
R is total resistance of the wire, the current passing through it is I = V/R.
The potential difference across portion BC of the wire is
VBC = I x RBC
𝑉
=𝑅xr
𝑟
=𝑅xV
As RBC = r which can be varied between 0 to R.

One fixed terminal B and the sliding terminal C of the rheostat are inserted in the circuit. The potential can
be varied from 0 to V by moving the sliding contact between B and A.

7. Explain why the terminal potential difference of a battery decreases when the current drawn from it
is increased?
Ans. In a closed loop circuit, the terminal potential difference Vt and emf E of the battery are related as
Vt = IR = E – Ir
Where r is internal resistance of battery and R is external load resistance. When current drawn from the
battery is increased (by decreasing the value of R), the term Ir (voltage drop across internal resistance)
increases which decreases terminal potential difference.

8. What is Wheatstone bridge? How can it be used to determine an unknown resistance?

Ans. The Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit which can be used to find the
unknown resistance of a wire. The circuit of Wheatstone bridge is shown in the figure.
It consists of four resistances connected in the form of a bridge (mesh), a galvanometer,
a battery and a switch. When the switch is closed and bridge is made to operate
balanced condition by varying the known resistances, no current passes through the
galvanometer and following condition is satisfied:-
𝑅1 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
= 𝑅3 => R4 = 2𝑅 3
𝑅2 4 1
If the values of R1, R2 and R3 are known, we can find the value of unknown resistance R4
once the bridge is in balanced condition.

9. Under what conditions the terminal potential difference of a battery is

(a) Equal (b) less than, c) greater than,
the emf of the battery.
Ans. a) Equal:
As the terminal potential difference Vt and emf E of the battery are related as
E = Vt + Ir

RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI

Unique Ravians Academy
When the circuit is open and no current is drawn then Vt becomes equal to E.
b) Less than
In a closed loop circuit, the terminal potential difference Vt and emf E of the battery are related as
Vt = IR = E – Ir
Where r is internal resistance of battery and R is external load resistance. When current drawn from the
battery is increased (by decreasing the value of R), the term Ir (voltage drop across internal resistance)
increases which decreases terminal potential difference.

c) Greater than
When a battery is being charged, then the current flows in opposite direction to the current
Vt = IR = E + Ir
So, in this case Vt becomes greater than E.

10. 1.0 × 107 electrons pass through a conductor in 1.0 micro second. Find the current in ampere
flowing through the conductor. Electronic charge is 1.6 × 10 –19 C.
Solution:
Given data:
No. of electrons (n) = 1.0 × 107
Time taken (t) = 1.0 × 10-6 s
Electronic charge (e) = 1.6 × 10–19 C
To find:
Current (I) =?
Formula:
𝑄 𝑛𝑒
I= =
𝑡 𝑡
Calculation:
𝑛𝑒 (1.0 × 107 )(1.6 × 10−19 )
I= =
𝑡 (1.0 × 10−6 )
I = 1.6 × 10–6 A
11. Write down the statement of Kirchhoff’s current rule and Kirchhoff’s voltage rule.
Ans. Kirchhoff's First Rule (KCL):
Statement:
"The algebraic sum of all the currents meeting at a point in a circuit is zero".
∑I = 0
OR
"The sum of all the currents flowing towards a point is equal to the sum of
all the current flowing that point"
I1 + I2 = I3 + I4

Kirchhoff's Second Rule (KVL):

Statement:
The algebraic sum of voltages changes in a closed circuit is zero.
∑ ∆V = 0
12. What is a potentiometer, how can it be used to measure the emf of a battery?
Ans. Definition:
It is a very simple instrument which can measure and compare the potential differences accurately.
Measurement of Unknown EMF:
 A source of unknown EMF Ex is connected between A and the sliding contact C through a galvanometer.
 The positive terminal of Ex and positive terminal of the potential divider should be connected at the same
point A.
RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI
 Unique Ravians Academy
 To measure unknown emf Ex, the position of C is so adjusted that galvanometer shows no deflection. In
this case, the terminal C and negative terminal of Ex are at same potential and no current will flow
through galvanometer.
 Under null condition, the emf of the cell will be equal to the potential difference between. A and C as:
Ex = VAC
E
Ex = R 𝑟
In case of wire of uniform cross – sectional area, r ∝ I and R ∝ L. So,
E
Ex = L 𝑙
Where l is length of wire between A and C at null condition, called balancing length and L is total length of
wire used.

13. What is thermistor? Give two Types.

Ans. A thermistor is a heat sensitive resistor.
Types:
There are two types of thermistors
i. Positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC): Their resistance increases with rise in temperature.
ii. Negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC): Their resistance decreases with rise in temperature.

14. Briefly describe the current through a metallic conductor and drift velocity.
Ans. When the ends of the wire are connected with a battery, an electric field
is set up at every point within the wire as shown in fig (b). Now the free
electrons will experience a force in the opposite direction of E. So, the free
electrons acquire a motion in the direction of -E.
Drift Velocity:
The average speed acquired by free electrons in the direction
opposite to electric field when constant potential difference maintains across
the wire is called drift velocity. It is of the order of 10-3 ms-1.

15. How magnetic effect of current is utilized in daily life?

Ans. When a current flows through a wire, magnetic field is produced around it.
Applications:
 Magnetic effect is used in the detection and measurement of current (galvanometer, ammeter).
 All the machines involving electric motors also use the magnetic effect of current.

16. Differentiate between resistance and resistivity?

Ans.
RESISTANCE RESISTIVITY
1. The opposition offered by the conductor to 1. The resistance of one meter cube of a
the flow current is called resistance. material is called its resistivity or specific
𝑉 resistance.
R = = (ohm)
𝐼 𝐿
2. Resistance is the characteristic of a 𝑅 = 𝜌 𝐴 (OHM METER)
particular wire. 2. Resistivity is the property of the material of
which the wire is made.
3. Resistance depends upon the nature, 3. Resistivity depends upon the nature and
temperature conductor. and dimensions of temperature of conductor.

RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI

Unique Ravians Academy
17. What is meant by tolerance? Explain.
Ans. Tolerance:
The possible variation of a resistance from marked value is called tolerance.
Fourth band of resistance indicates its tolerance.
 Gold band indicates a tolerance of (plus/minus 5)%
 Silver band indicates a tolerance of (plus/minus 10)%
 No fourth band indicate tolerance is (plus/minus 20)%
Example:
Colour code Brown, Black, Red, and Silver means a 1000 Ω resistance which may have any value
between 900 Ω to 1100 Ω.

18. What is rheostat? Write its two uses.

Ans. It is a wire wound variable resistance.
Uses of Rheostat:
A rheostat can be used as:
 Variable Resistor
 Potential Divider

19. Write the procedure of solution of network circuit problems.

Ans. Following steps are used to analyze the direct current complex circuits.
 Draw the circuit diagram.
 The choice of loops should be such that each resistance is included at least once in the selected loops.
Assume a loop current in each loop, all the loop currents should be in the same direction. It may be either
clockwise or anti clockwise.
 The voltage change across any component is positive if traversed from low to high potential and it is
negative if traversed from high to low potential.
 Solve these equations for unknown quantities.
20. How we can compare the EMF of two cells with the help of potentiometer?
Ans. Compare The EMF of TWO cells:
The method for measuring the emf of a cell can be used to compare the emf E 1 and E2 of two cells.
The balancing length l1 and l2 are found separately for the two cells. Then,
E
E1 = 𝑙1
L
And
E
E2 = L 𝑙 2
By dividing
E1 l1
=
E2 l2
So, the ratio of emf of two cells is equal to the ratio of their balance lengths.
21. A voltmeter cannot read the exact EMF of cell. Why?
Ans. The voltmeter draws some current from the cell across which it is connected which will alter the
terminal potential difference. Because in the presence of current, some energy is dissipated across the
internal resistance of the cell. So, the terminal potential difference is less than emf of the source.

RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI

Unique Ravians Academy

22. Show that: volt × ampere = watt

Ans.

Hence, volt × ampere = watt

23. Differentiate between EMF and potential difference.
Ans.
EMF (Electromotive Force) Potential Difference (PD)
The total energy supplied by a source (like a battery) The energy difference between two points in a
per unit charge to move it through the circuit. circuit per unit charge.
The EMF is the cause Potential difference is its effect
The emf is always present even when no current is The potential difference across the conductor is zero
drawn through the battery or the cell. when no current flows through it.
It remain constant for a given source, regardless of It depends on the resistance and current in the
the circuit connected. circuit.

Extensive Questions.

1. Define resistivity and write its unit. And derive temperature coefficient in terms of resistivity.
2. Define electrical power. Derive an expression for the power dissipated in resistor.
3. Define simple and complex network circuit. Explain Kirchhoff’s rules.
4. Write a note on Wheatstone bridge.
5. What is potentiometer? Discuss its construction and working in details.
6. A platinum wire has resistance of 10 Ω at 0 °C and 20 Ω at 273 °C. Find the value of the temperature
coefficient of resistance of platinum.
7. The potential difference between the terminals of a battery in open circuit is 2.2 V. When it is connected
across a resistance of 5.0 Ω, the potential falls to 1.8 V. Calculate the current and the internal resistance of
the battery.
8. 0.75 A current flows through an iron wire when a battery of 1.5 V is connected across its ends. The length
of the wire is 5.0 m and its cross sectional area is 2.5 x 10-7 m2 compute the resistivity of iron.
9. A rectangular bar of iron is 2.0 cm by 2.0 cm in cross section and 40 cm long. Calculate its resistance if
the resistivity of iron is 11 x 10-8 Ω m.
10. The resistance of an iron wire at 0 oC is 1 x 104 Ω. What is the resistance at 500 oC if the temperature
coefficient of resistance of iron is 5.2 x 10-3 K-1?

RESOURCE PERSON: HAFIZ ZAHID ALI