UNIT - II

ELECTRIC CURRENT

Page | 1
 FOURTEEN YEARS BOARD PROBLEMS

CBSE 2023

1. A current of 0.8 A flows in a conductor of 40 for 1 minute. The heat produced in the
conductor will be
(a) 1445 J (b) 1536 J (c) 1569 J (d) 1640 J
2. A steady current of 8 mA flows through a wire. The number of electrons passing through
a cross-section of the wire in 10 s is
(a) 4 x 1016 (b) 5 x 1017
(c) 1.6 x 1016 (d) 1 x 1017

3. A conductor of 10 is connected across a 6 V ideal source. The power supplied by the

source to the conductor is
(a) 1.8 W (b) 2.4 W (c) 3.6 W (d) 7.2 W

4. 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
(a) ( )R (b) ( )

(c) ( )R (d) ( )R

5. 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 = 0 s to t = 3s is
(a) 10 mC (b) 18 mC (c) 27 mC (d) 54 mC
6. Pieces of copper and of silicon are initially at room temperature. Both are heated to
temperature T. The conductivity of
(a) both increases.
(b) both decreases.
(c) copper increases and silicon decreases.
(d) copper decreases and silicon increases.
7. 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.
8. Two cells of emf E 1 and E2 and internal resistances 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.
9. A potential difference V is applied across a conductor of length and cross- sectional area
A. Briefly explain how the current density j in the conductor will be affected if
(i) the potential difference V is doubled,
(ii) the conductor were gradually stretched to reduce its cross-sectional area to and
then the same potential difference V is applied across it.

Page | 2
 CBSE 2022

1. Kirchhoff's first rule ΣI = 0 and second rule ΣIR = ΣE (where the symbols have their usual meanings) are
respectively based on –
(a) Conservation of momentum and Conservation of charge
(b) Conservation of energy and Conservation of charge
(c) Conservation of charge and Conservation of momentum
(d) Conservation of charge and Conservation of energy
2. The electric power consumed by a 220 V − 100 W bulb when operated at 110 V is
(a) 25 W (b) 30 W
(c) 35 W (d) 45 W
3. Which of the following has negative temperature coefficient of resistivity?
(a) Metal (b) Metal and Semiconductor
(c) Semiconductor (d) Metal and Alloy
4. A potential difference of 200 V is maintained across a conductor of resistance 100 Ω. The number of
electrons passing through it in 1s is
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
5. In a dc circuit the direction of current inside the battery and outside the battery respectively are –
(a) Positive to Negative terminal and Negative to Positive terminal
(b) Positive to Negative terminal and Positive to Negative terminal
(c) Negative to Positive to terminal and Positive to Negative terminal
(d) Negative to Positive terminal and Negative to Positive terminal
6. A car battery is charged by a 12 V supply, and energy stored in it is 7.20 × 105 J. The charge passed
through the battery is –
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
7. If n, e, and m have their usual meanings, then the resistance of a wire of length l and cross-sectional
area A is given by –
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

8. Two sources of equal emf are connected in series. This combination is, in turn connected to an external
resistance R. The internal resistance of two sources are r 1 and r2 (r2 > r1). If the potential difference
across the source of internal resistance r2 is zero, then R equals to –
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

9. The equivalent resistance between A and B of the network shown in figure is

Page | 3
 (a) 3R (b) R

(c) 2R (d) R

10. Case Study:

An experiment was set up with the circuit diagram shown in figure. Given that R 1 = 10 Ω,
R2 = R3 = 5 Ω, r = 0 Ω and E = 5 V

(i) The points with the same potential are –

(a) b , c , d (b) f , h , j
(c) d , e , f (d) a , b , j
(ii) The current through branch bg is –
(a) 1 A (b) A
(c) A (d) A
(iii)The power dissipated in R1 is –
(a) 2 W (b) 2.5 W
(c) 3 W (d) 4.5 W
(iv) The potential difference across R3 is -
(a) 1.5 V (b) 2 V
(c) 2.5 V (d) 3 V

CBSE 2020

1. A potentiometer can measure emf of a cell because

(A) the sensitivity of potentiometer is large
(B) no current is drawn from the cell at balance.
(C) no current flows in the wire of potentiometer at balance.
(D) internal resistance of cell is neglected.

2. Two resistors R1 and R2 of 4 ohm and 6 ohm are connected in parallel across a battery. The ratio of
power dissipated in them, P1 : P2 will be
(A) 4 : 9
(B) 3 : 2
(C) 9 : 4
(D) 2 : 3
3. The conductivity of a metal decreases with the increase in temperature on account of
(A) decrease in number density of electrons.
(B) decrease in resistivity.
(C) decrease in relaxation time.
(D) increase in mean free path.

Page | 4
4. Two unequal resistors are connected in series across a battery. Then the
(A) potential difference across each resistor is the same.
(B) current in the smaller resistor is larger.
(C) potential difference across the bigger resistor is greater.
(D) power dissipated in both resistors is the same.

5. The resistance of a metal wire increases with increasing temperature on account of

(A) decrease in free electron density.
(B) decrease in relaxation time.
(C) increase in mean free path.
(D) increase in the mass of electron.

6. Kirchhoff ’s first rule at a junction in an electrical network, deals with conservation of

(A) Energy
(B) Charge
(C) Momentum
(D) both energy and charge

7. Explain the principle of working of a meter bridge. Draw the circuit diagram for determination of an
unknown resistance using it.
8.
(a) Two cells of emf E1 and E2 have their internal resistances r1 and r2, respectively. Deduce an
expression for the equivalent emf and internal resistance of their parallel combination when
connected across an external resistance R. Assume that the two cells are supporting each other.
(b) In case the two cells are identical, each of emf E = 5 V and internal resistance r = 2 ohm,
calculate the voltage across the external resistance R = 10 ohm.

CBSE 2019

1. Why is the terminal voltage of a cell generally less than the emf of the cell ? (1)
2. (a)For the circuit shown in the figure, how would the balancing length be affected, if
(i) R1 is decreased
(ii) R2 is increased
the other factors remaining the same in the circuit ? Justify your answer in each case.

(b) Why is a potentiometer preferred over a voltmeter ? Give reason.

OR
State the underlying principle of meter bridge. Draw the circuit diagram and explain how the
unknown resistance of a conductor can be determined by this method. (3)
3. (a) Draw a graph showing the variation of current versus voltage in an electrolyte when an external
resistance is also connected.
(b) (i) The graph between resistance (R) and temperature (T) for Hg is shown in the figure (a). Explain
the behaviour of Hg near 4 K.

Page | 5
 (ii)In which region of the graph shown in the figure (b) is resistance negative and why ? (3)

4. Show, on a plot, variation of resistivity of (i) a conductor, and (ii) a typical semiconductor as a function
of temperature. Using the expression for the resistivity in terms of number density and relaxation time
between the collisions, explain how resistivity in the case of a conductor increases while it decreases in a
semiconductor, with the rise of temperature. (3)
5.
(a) Describe briefly, with the help of a circuit diagram, the method of measuring the internal resistance
of a cell.
(b) Give reason why a potentiometer is preferred over a
voltmeter for the measurement of emf of a cell.
(c) In the potentiometer circuit given below, calculate the
balancing length l. Give reason, whether the
circuit will work, if the driver cell of emf 5 V is replaced
with a cell of 2 V, keeping all other factors constant.

OR
(a) State the working principle of a meter bridge used to measure an unknown resistance.
(b) Give reason:
(i) why the connections between the resistors in a metre bridge are made of thick copper strips,
(ii) why is it generally preferred to obtain the balance length near the mid-point of the bridge
wire.
(c) Calculate the potential difference across the 4 resistor in the given electrical circuit, using
Kirchhoff ’s rules.(5)

Page | 6
 CBSE 2018

1. 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 ? (2)
2. A 10 V cell of negligible internal resistance is connected in parallel across a battery of emf 200 V
and internal resistance 38 as shown in the figure. Find the value of current in the circuit. (2)

OR
In a potentiometer arrangement for determining the emf of a cell, the balance point of the
cell in open circuit is 350 cm. When a resistance of 9 is used in the external circuit of the
cell, the balance point shifts to 300 cm. Determine the internal resistance of the cell. (2)
3. (a) Define the term ‘conductivity’ of a metallic wire. Write its SI unit.
(b) Using the concept of free electrons in a conductor, derive the expression for the conductivity of a
wire in terms of number density and relaxation time. Hence obtain the relation between current density
and the applied electric field E. (3)

CBSE 2017

1. (a) The potential 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 changes?
(b) In the figure shown , an ammeter A and a resistor of 4 ohm are connected to the terminals of the
source. The emf of the source is 12 V having an internal resistance of 2 ohm . calculate the ammeter and
voltmeter readings?

2. (i) State the principle of working of a meter bridge.

(ii) In a meter bridge balance point is found at a distance with resistances R and S as shown in the
figure. When an unknown resistance X is connected in parallel with the resistance S, the balance point
shifts to a distance l2 . Find the expression for X in terms of l1 , l2 and S.

Page | 7
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.

CBSE 2016

1. Define mobility of a charge carrier. What is its relation with relaxation time?
2. When 5V potential difference is applied across a wire of length 0.1 m , the drift speed of electrons is 2.5
X 10-4 m/s. If the electron density in the wire is 8 X 1028 m-3. Calculate the resistivity of the material of
wire
3. Two identical cells of emf 1.5 V each joined in parallel supply energy to an external circuit consisting of
two resistances of each joined in parallel. Avery high resistance voltmeter reads the terminal voltage
of cell to be 1.4 V. Calculate the internal resistance of each cell.

CBSE 2015

1. V – I graph for a metallic wire at two different temperatures and is as show in the figure. Which of
the two temperatures is higher and why? (Ans: )

2. A variable resistor R is connected across a cell of emf and

internal resistance r as shown in the figure. Draw a plot showing
the variation of (i) terminal voltage V and (ii) the current I, as a
function of R.

3. A potential difference V is applied across a conductor of length L and diameter D. How is the drift
velocity, vd, of charge carriers in the conductor affected when (i) V is halved, (ii) L is doubled and (iii) D
is halved ? Justify your answer in each case.

Page | 8
 CBSE 2014

1. Estimate the average drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional area
2.5 carrying a current of 1.8 A. Assume the density of conduction electrons to be
9x . (Ans:5 X 10-4 m/s)
2. A cell of emf 'E' and internal resistance 'r' is connected across a variable resistor 'R'. Plot a graph
showing variation of terminal voltage 'V' of the cell versus the current ‘I’. Using the plot, show how the
emf of the cell and its internal resistance can be determined.
3. Answer the following :
(a) Why are the connections between the resistors in a meter bridge made of thick copper strips?
(b) Why is it generally preferred to obtain the balance point in the middle of the meter bridge wire?
(c) Which material is used for the meter bridge wire and why?
4. A resistance of R Ω draws current from a potentiometer. The potentiometer has a total resistance R0 Ω
Fig. A voltage V is supplied to the potentiometer. Derive an expression for the voltage across R when
the sliding contact is in the middle of the potentiometer.

CBSE 2013
1. Two identical cells, each of emf E, having negligible internal resistance, are connected in parallel with
each other across an external resistance R. What is the current through this resistances?
2. The graph shown in the figure represents a plot of current versus voltage for a given semiconductor.
Identify the region, if any, over which the semiconductor has a negative resistance.

3. Explain the term 'drift velocity' of electrons in a conductor. Hence obtain the expression for the current
through a, conductor in terms of 'drift velocity'.

OR

Page | 9
 Describe briefly, with the help of a circuit diagram, how a potentiometer is used to determine the internal
resistance of a cell.

4. Define the current sensitivity of a galvanometer. Write its S.I. unit. Figure shows two circuits each
having a galvanometer and a battery of 3 V. When the galvanometers in each arrangement do not show
any deflection, obtain the ratio . (Ans: 3:2)

CBSE 2012

1. Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other of manganin have the same resistance. Which of
the two is thicker?
2. Calculate the value of the resistance R in the circuit shown in the figure so that the current in the circuit
is 0.2 A. What would be the potential difference between points B and E?

3. Define relaxation time of the free electrons drifting in a conductor. How is it related to the drift velocity
of free electrons? Use this relation to deduce the expression for the electrical resistivity of the material.

CBSE 2011

1. In the meter bridge experiment, balance point was observed at J with AJ = .

(i) The values of R and X were doubled and then interchanged. What would be the new position of
balance point?
(ii) If the galvanometer and battery are interchanged at the balance position, how will the balance
point get affected ?

Page | 10
2. In the given circuit, assuming point A to be at zero potential. use Kirchhoff's rules to determine the
potential at point B.

3. Two heating elements of resistance R1 and R2 when operated at a constant supply of voltage, V,
consume powers P1 and P2 respectively. Deduce the expressions for the power of their combination
when they are, in turn, connected in (i) series and (ii) parallel across the same voltage supply.

CBSE 2010
1. Two conducting wire X and Y of same diameter but different materials are joined in series across a
battery. If the number density of electrons in X is twice that in Y, find the ratio of drift velocity of
electrons in the two wires.
2. Write any two factors on which internal resistance of a cell depends. The reading on a high resistance
voltmeter, when a cell is connected across it, is 2.2 V. When the terminals of the cell are also connected
to a resistance of 5 as shown in the circuit, the voltmeter reading drops to 1.8 V. Find the internal
resistance of the cell.

3. State Kirchhoff's rules. Use these rules to write the expressions for the currents and in the circuit
diagram shown.

Page | 11
 CBSE 2009

1. Calculate the current drawn from the battery in the given network.

2. A wire of 15Ω resistance is gradually stretched to double its original length. It is then cut into two equal
parts. These parts are then connected in parallel across a 3.0 volt battery. Find the current drawn from
the battery.
3. (i) State the principle of working of a meter bridge.
(ii) In a meter bridge balance point is found at a distance with resistances R and S as shown in the
figure.
When an unknown resistance X is connected in parallel with the resistance S, the balance point shifts to
a distance l2 . Find the expression for X in terms of l1 , l2 and S.

Page | 12