CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

ELECTRICITY

CONCEPT TREE :

Electric field
Charge
Electric potential and potential diagram

Electric circuits and circuit diagrams

Electricity Ohm's law

Resistance

Heating effects of Electric current

Electric Power

1.1 INTRODUCTION :
Electricity has great importance in the modern society. The modern devices in our day to day life
require electricity for their operation. The most clean and convenient form of energy in our day to day
life is electricity.

1.2 CHARGE :
Charge is defined as the property of matter. When a charge is at rest, it produces electric field only, but
when in motion, it also produces magnetic field. Charge can be positive or negative. The smallest stable
possible charge is the charge on an electron.
Properties of Electric Charge :
1. Electric charge is of two types viz., positive and negative charge. Proton is said to be charged
positively and electron is said to be charged negatively. The magnitude of elementary positive
or negative charge is same and is equal to 1.6 × 10–19 C.
2. Like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other. Thus a proton repels a proton and
attracts an electron.
3. The force of attraction or repulsion between two charges is given by Coulomb’s law.

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4. Charge is conserved : Charge can neither be created no be destroyed. The charge from
one body can be transferred to another body but the total charge of a system remains constant.
This is called the law of conservation of charge.
5. Charge is quantized : Protons and electrons are elementary charged particles. Though the
charge on them is opposite in nature, the magnitude of charge possessed by them is same i.e.,
1.6 × 10–19 C. Charge on a body is always an integral multiple of this value. This is called
quantization of charge.
The charge exists in fixed packets i.e. when a body is charged the charge on it is an integral
multiple of the charge on an electron.
q   ne
Reason for quantisation :
Since, electrons are indivisible, thus, only integral number of electrons can be transferred
from one body to another, on rubbing. Hence, the charge bodies will have charges which are
integral multiples of the charge on electron.
6. When a body gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged. When it loses electrons it becomes
positively charged. The positive charge being bound firmly in the nucleus does not participate
in charging.
7. Charge is invariant
8. Charge resides on the outer surface of the conductor. In insulators it remains where it is
placed.
9. The electric charge is additive in nature.
10. Charge cannot exist without mass but mass can exist without charge.
11. Charge is scalar quantity and the SI unit of charge is coulomb, denoted by (C).
2e e
Note : The smallest possible charge is the charge on a quark i.e. and , but it is unstable in nature.
3 3

Mass of an electron = 9.1 × 10–31 Kg.

A body having a charge of +1C has an electron deficit of 6.25 × 1018 electrons.

The study of electricity is classified into two parts.

1. Static electricity : It deals with electric charges at rest and their effects.
2. Current electricity : It deals with charges in motion and their effects.

S.No. Positive Charge Negative Charge

1. Glass Rod Silk
2. Woolen cloth or fur Ebonite, Amber, Rubber
3. Woolen cloth Plastic
4. Dry hair Plastic Comb
This chapter deals with charges in motion i.e., current electricity.

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1.3 ELECTRIC FIELD

The region of influence around a charge is called the region of electric field.
Interaction of electric field between two charged particles :
Two charged particles always interact with each other due to their electric field. There may be force of
repulsion or attraction between two charged particles.
This force of attraction exists between unlike charges and force of repulsion exist between like charges.
The force between two point charges q1 and q2 separated by distance ‘r’ is given by Coulomb’s law.
Coulomb’s law :
In 1785, Coulomb gave two laws for the force of attraction or repulsion between two electrically
charged bodies separated from each other by a definite distance. The laws are stated as follows
(i) ''The force of attraction or repulsion between two electric charges is directly proportional
to the product of two charges.''
(ii) ''The force of attraction or repulsion between two electric charges is inversely proportional
to the square of the distance between them. This is known as inverse square law.''
F  q 1q 2
1

r2
q1q2 q1 q2
F
r2 r

q1q 2
Fk
r2
where K is proportionality constant (or Electrostatic Force constant or Coulomb's constant ). Its
value depends upon the medium between charges and units used for charge, distance and force.
1 Nm 2
The value of K =  9  109 2
4 o C
The constant o is called the permittivity of free space. Its value is 8.9 × 10–12 C2/N-m2.
1 q1q 2
 F ·
40 r 2
Force is a vector quantity.
 kq q   kq q 
 r
Vector Form of coulomb's law F  12 2 r̂ ; r  F  1 32 r
r |r| |r|

Intensity of electric field (E) :
The intensity of electric field at a point in the electric field is defined as the force experienced by a unit
positive charge placed at that point

 F
E where q0 = 1
q 0

q 1
FK
r2
F q 1
In terms of magnitude, E = = K 2 where K =
1 r 4 0

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Electric field is vector quantity and SI unit of electric field is N/C

1.4 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE :

B
. F
.q0
A
q0E


If a positive test charge q0 is placed at a point A in an uniform electric field (see figure), a force q 0 E will
act on this charge along the direction of electric field. Now if test charge q0 is displaced from A to B, by

applying a force F = q 0 E in opposite direction to electric field intensity, then we have to do some work.
Let this work be WAB.
In this way, work done in carrying a unit positive charge from point A to B is defined as potential
difference between points B and A. i.e. potential difference between point B and A –

WAB
VB  VA 
q0

The electrons (negative charges) in a conductor or a wire flow from one end to another end of the
conductor if there is electric pressure difference called electric potential difference between the ends of
the conductor.
If point A is considered as a reference point (initial point where potential is zero) at infinity, then–

WB
VB = VB – 0 =
q0

Electric potential at point B is defined by above equation. That is, work done in carrying a unit positive
charge from infinity (V = 0) to the point under consideration in electric field, without change of its kinetic
energy, is called the electric potential of that point.
The S.I. unit for electric potential and potential difference is joule/coulomb, which is also known as
Volt. ''One volt potential at a point means that work done in carrying one coulomb charge from
infinity to this point would be one joule.'' Electric potential and potential difference are scalar quantity.
It is to be noted that ''positive charge always moves from high potential to low potential, similarly
negative charge moves from low potential to high potential.'' From reference point of view, the
electric potential of earth is considered as zero.

Smaller units of electric potential

1 mili volt (mV) = 10–3 V
1 micro volt (V) = 10–6 V
Larger units of electric potential
1 kilovolt (kV) = 103 V

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1 megavolt (MV) = 106 V

The electrons move only if there is a difference of electric pressure (i.e. the potential difference) along
the conductor. This difference of potential may be produced by a battery, consisting of one or more
electric cells.
The potential difference is measured by means of an instrument called the voltmeter.
Note : The voltmeter is always connected in parallel across the points between which the potential
difference is to be measured.
''A continuous and closed path of an electric current is called an electric circuit.''

Concept of Electric Potential Difference A B

To understand the concept of electric potential take a vessel
Valve
consisting of two arms A and B as shown in Figure. The
water level in arm A is higher than the level in arm B, when
valve is closed. We know that pressure exerted by a liquid in
a vessel at the bottom of the vessel is directly proportional to Flow of Water
the height of the liquid in the vessel.
Therefore, pressure exerted by water in arm A is greater than the pressure exerted by water in arm B.
It means that there is pressure difference between the arms A and B. When the valve is opened, the
water flows from arm A to arm B of the vessel due to pressure difference. This flow of water continues
till the water level in both the arms of the vessel becomes equal or there is no pressure difference
between the two arms. This activity shows that the water flows from higher pressure to lower pressure.
In other words, water flow from one region to another region only if there is a pressure difference
between the two regions.

The electric potential difference across the ends of a conductor is maintained by a dry
cell or a battery. The chemical reaction taking place in a cell makes one electrode of
the cell as positive and the other electrode of the cell as negative. When, a conductor
is connected across these electrodes of the cell, then one end of the conductor is at
positive potential and the other end of the conductor is at negative potential. Thus,
there exists an electric potential difference across the ends of the conductor. This
electric potential difference moves the electrons (negative charges) in the conductor
from one end to the other end.

Illustration
Five joule of work is done in moving 12.5 × 1018 electrons from one
end to other end of a conductor. What is the potential difference
between the two ends of conductor ?
Sol.The charge on 6.25 × 1018 electrons is 1 C.
 When 12.5 × 1018 electrons move, the net charge transferred is 2 C.
 Q = 2C.
Work done (W) in moving 2C charge = 5 J. (given)
The potential difference (V) between the ends of conductor is

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Work done 5J –1
V= ch arg e
= 2 C = 2.5 J C .
V = 2.5 volts

Drift Velocity
In a conductor or a wire, negatively charged particles
called electrons have random or zig-zag motion as
show in figure. Therefore, the net flow of electrons
(or net flow of charge) across any cross-section of the conductor is zero. This is because number of
electrons flowing through the given cross-section to the right side is equal to the number of electrons
flowing to the left side through the given cross section.
Hence, there is no electric current in the conductor. However, when the ends of the conductor are
connected across a dry cell, there is a potential difference across the conductor. Now, the electrons
move from one end to another end of the conductor. But the motion of these electrons is not in straight
lines. These electrons collide with the ions of the conductor while moving from one end to another end
of the conductor. As a result of these collision, electrons drift from one end to another end with an
average speed known as drift velocity. The drift velocity of electrons in a conductor is very small.
Typical value of the drift velocity of an electron in a conductor is about 2.22 × 10–4 m s–1. It means,
electrons will take time about 2.5 hours to travel 5 metre long conductor.

Illustration Electric potential at a point in an electric field is 0.5 V when charge of

3C was brought from infinity to that point. Calculate the work done.
Sol. Electric potential (V) = 0.5 volts
Charge (Q) = 3C; Work done (W) = ?
W
V= Q

 W = VQ = 0.5 V × 3 C = 1.5 V C = 1.5 J Ans.

1.5 FLOW OF CHARGE (ELECTRIC CURRENT) :

Electric current is defined as continuous rate of flow of electric charge. Consider flow of charges
through a conductor as shown in figure. If  Q charge flows in t time through the cross section of
ΔQ
conductor under consideration then the current over this time interval is defined as I=
Δt

– Electric current ++ Area cross section

–– –– + +
–– –– + +
– Flow of electrons ++ Lower e– Higher
Lower Higher potential potential
potential potential I

The S. I. unit of current is the ampere symbolically represented as A. Therefore also,

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Charge (Q) Q
Current (I) = Time ( t ) =
t

1 m A  103 A, 1 μ A  106 A

In a metallic conductor, when an atom loses one or more electrons, then atom becomes a positive ion,
which remains fixed at one place in the conductor. The electrons detached from an atom become free
and capable of moving from one part to another part of the conductor. The electric current in a metallic
conductor is due to the flow of electrons (i.e., negative charge carriers).

Positive ions Free

which are electrons
fixed at one
A metallic place
conductor

Note : 1 A of current is equivalent to one coulomb of charge passing through conductor in

1 second.
Conventionally, we define the direction of the current in the direction of flow of negative charge.
Whereas, the direction of current is considered opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.
An instrument called ammeter measures electric current in a circuit. It is always connected in series
in a circuit.

A conductor or a wire carrying current is neutral. That is, it has net charge on
it equal to zero.

Types of electrical Materials :

(1) Insulators (2) Semiconductors (3) Conductors
Charge flow or conduction of electric current takes place only if free charge carriers are present. Since
protons are bounded and present in the nucleus so the conduction takes place only due to electrons.
(1) Insulators do not conduct electricity because of the absence of free electrons in them, Rubber is
an excellent insulator.
(2) Conductors conduct electricity due to presence of free electrons in them for example wire made
of Cu, Al. are good conductors.
(3) Semiconductors behave as insulators at low temperature whereas they behave as conductors at
high temperatures.

However, because we tend to associate the word

"positive" with "surplus" and "negative" with
"deficiency." The standard label for electron charge
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does seem backward. Because of this, many engineers Conventional flow notation
decide to retain the old concept of electricity with
"positive" referring to a surplus of charge and "negative" Electric charge
referring to a deficiency of charge, and label charge moves from the
+
positively (surplus)
flow (current) accordingly. I side of the battery
–
This is know as conventional flow notation. to the negative
(deficiency) side.
Others chose to designate charge flow according to
the actual motion of electrons in a circuit. This form of Electron flow notation
symbology is known as electron flow notation:
Electric (–)ve charge
In conventional flow notation, we show the motion of moves from the
charge according to the (technically incorrect) labels +
negative (surplus)
I side of the battery
of + and –. In this way or method the labels are kept –
to the positive
same, but the direction of charge flow is incorrect. In (deficiency) side.
electron flow notation, we follow the actual motion of
electrons in the circuit, but the + and – labels are same as before. Does it matter, really, how we
designate charge flow in a circuit ? Not really, so long as we're consistent in the use of our symbols. You
may follow an imagined direction of current (conventional flow) or the actual (electron flow) as far
circuit analysis is concerned.
Conventionally positive charge is at higher potential than negative charge flow always takes place from
higher potential to lower potential. The flow of current takes place from positive charge to negative charge.
The direction of electric current is from negative charge to positive charge i.e. the flow of electrons.
Symbols of some commonly used components in circuit diagrams.
(1) An electric cell
(2) A battery or a combination of cells
(3) Plug key or switch (open)
(4) Plug key or switch (closed)

(5) A wire joint or junction

+ G – + G–
(6) Galvanometer or

(7) Wires crossing without joining

(8) Heater

(9) Electric bulb or

(10) A resistor of resistance R

(11)Tapping key

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(12) Variable resistance or rheostat

(13) Ammeter

(14) Voltmeter

1.6 ELECTRIC RESISTANCE

Electric Circuit :
An electric circuit is a closed conducting path
containing a source of electric energy (i.e., a cell or a V
A  Ammeter
battery) and
V  Voltmeter
a device or element or load utilizing the electric energy. R  Resistor
A
R
For example, an electric bulb or lamp connected with
a cell with the help of connecting wires form simple
connecting + –
electric circuit. In this circuit, a cell is a source of electric
wire cell
energy and an electric lamp is the load.

In fact, electric current is a means of transferring electric energy from the source to the load. Thus, "a
closed conducting path containing the source of electric energy and the load through which electric
current flows is known as electric circuit". | | | |
| |
lamp

| || | ||

|
| | | || |
|
| | | || |
+
A simple electric circuit is shown in figure. l A
–
+ –

Open and Closed Electric Circuits K

Open electric circuit : An electric circuit through which no electric current flows is known as open
electric circuit.

The electric circuit shown in figure will be open circuit if the plug of the key is taken out or if the
connecting wire breaks from any point.

Closed circuit : An electric circuit through which electric current flows continuously is known as
closed circuit.
(1) Electric Cell : An electric cell is a device which maintains a continuous flow of charge in a circuit.
The Cell changes Chemical energy into electrical energy.
(2) Electro Motive Force (E.M.F.) of a cell : The work done by the cell in forcing unit positive
charge to flow in the whole circuit once, is called the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the cell.

E  
w J
q C
The unit of emf is called ‘volt’(V). If in the flow of 1C of charge in a circuit the energy given by the
cell by 1J, then the emf of the cell is 1V.

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(3) Internal Resistance of a cell : When we connect the plates of a cell by a wire, an electric
current flows in the wire from the positive plate of the cell towards the negative plates, and in the
electrolyte (inside the cell) it flows from the negative plate towards the positive plate. The resistance
offered by the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of current (ions) through it is called the ‘internal
Resistance’ of the cell.
(4) Terminal Potential Difference : The potential difference across the terminals of a cell or battery
when the cell is in charging or discharging mode is called terminal potential difference.
Electrical Resistance :
In a conductor whenever current flow takes place the motion of electrons takes place. During motion
they are opposed to flow and this is known as electrical resistance. The SI unit of electrical resistance
is Ohm denoted by .

Factors which determine the electric resistance of a conductor :

(1) The resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to its length
Rl
(2) The resistance is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section of the conductor
1
R
A
(3) The resistance depends upon the nature of the material of the conductor
(4) Removing the proportionality sign we have
l
R
A
(5)  - Resistivity of the conductor..
Resistivity : The resistance of a unit volume of a substance is known as its resistivity.
Resistivity is also known as specific resistance and its SI unit is ohm m.
(6) Effect of temperature on resistance :
The resistance of conductors increases with increase in temperature. Let the resistance of a
conductor at 0°C be R0.
Let the resistance of the conductor at t° C be Rt.
Then, Rt = R0 (1 + t), where '' is known as the temperature coefficient of resistance.
Pure metals have positive temperature coefficient of resistance. The resistance of metals increases
with an increase in temperature.
Alloys have a very less temperature coefficient of resistance. So the resistance of alloy like Manganin
and Constantan vary very little with an increase in temperature. Because of this property they are
used in making standard resistances.
Semiconductors like germanium, silicon and bad conductors like glass, pure water etc., have negative
temperature coefficient. The resistance of these materials decreases with an increase in temperature.
Reason for variation of resistance with temperature :
Resistance offered by a metallic conductor is due to the collisions between drifting electrons, and the
ions present in the metallic conductor. When the temperature of the conductor increases, the amplitude
of vibration of ions in the lattice increases and hence the collisions between electrons and the ions
become more frequent. Therefore, the opposition to the flow of electrons (constituting the electric

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current) increases. In other words, resistance of the metallic conductor increases or decreases with
the increase or decrease of the temperature respectively.
Then, Rt = R0 [1 + (t2 – t1)]
Where,  is the temperature coefficient of the resistance.

(R t  R 0 )
 = R ( t  t )
0 2 1

Thus, temperature coefficient of resistance () is defined as the change in resistance per unit original
resistance per degree rise in temperature.

ohm
S.I. unit of  is or kelvin–1 or K–1
ohm kelvin
 is positive for metallic conductors i.e. their resistance increases with the rise of temperature
(i.e. Rt > R0).
 is negative for insulators and semi - conductors i.e., their resistance decreases with the rise of
temperature (i.e., Rt < R0).
 is very - very small for high resistivity alloys like manganin (  10–5 °C–1). i.e. their resistance does not
change appreciably with change in temperature. It is for this reason that manganin and constantan are
used in making standard resistance coils.

Illustration :
The length of copper wire is 100 m and its radius is 1 mm. Calculate its resistance if
resistivity of copper is 1.72 × 10–8 m.
Sol. Length of copper wire (l) = 100 m.
Area of cross section (a) = r2 = 3.14 × 10–6 m2
Resistivity () of copper = 1.72 × 10–8  m
Resistance offered by a conductor is given by
l
R= 
A
1.72  108  100
= = 0.55 .
3.14  106
In this numerical, length of copper wire is 100 m. If the length is 1000 m i.e., 1 km, the resistance
offered by it would be 5.5  which is very less. Thus copper is a good conductor of electricity.

Illustration :
The resistance of 1 m of nichrome wire is 6 . Calculate its resistance if its length is 70 cm.
Sol.Given
1st case
Length of nichrome wire (l1) = 1 m = 100 cm
Resistance of nichrome wire (R1) = 6
2nd case
l2 = 70 cm

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R2 = ?
By 1st law of resistance
R1 l1
R2 = l2
6 100 cm
R2 = 70 cm
 R2 = 4.2 .
Illustration :
Two wires made of German-silver are taken such that the length and area of cross-section of the
second wire are twice and thrice respectively those of the first wire. If the resistance of the second
wire is 12 r, find the resistance of the first wire.
Sol.

1st case Silver is the best conductor

of electricity.
l1 = length of German silver wire;
a1 = area of cross section;
R1 = resistance
l1
R1 =  .....(i)
a1
2nd case
l2 = length of wire = 2l1 a2 = area of cross section of wire = 3a1.
R2 = resistance of wire = 12.
2l
R2 =  a
2

2l1
 12 =  3a .....(ii)
1
dividing (i) by (ii)
R1 pl 3a1 3
= a × ( 2l ) =  R1 = 18.
12 1 1 2

1. The connecting wires in an electric circuit are made of copper and aluminium.The resistivity of pure
metals is very low. So, electric current passes easily through them. Out of metals, silver is the best
conductor of electricity because its resistivity is the lowest among all metals. Thus, connecting wires in
an electric circuit must be made of silver. However, the silver metal is costly as compared to other
metals like aluminium and copper. The resistivity of copper and aluminium are also low and these
metals are cheaper than silver. Therefore, connecting wires are made of copper and aluminium metals.
2. Filament of an electric bulb is made of tungsten metal. Tungsten being a metal has high resistivity.
Moreover, it does not burn (or oxidise) even at higher temperatures. The melting point of tungsten is

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very high i.e., about 3380ºC. For these reasons, filament of an electric bulb (incandescent lamp) is
made of tungsten.
3. Heating elements of electrical appliances like electric iron, electric heater, electric toaster, room heater,
immersion rod are made of nichrome (an alloy of nickel, iron, chromium and manganese). Nichrome
is an alloy of metals. The resistivity of nichrome is more than the resistivity of the metals used to make
it. Moreover, nichrome does not burn (or oxidise) even at higher temperature. The melting point of
nichrome is 1500ºC. That is why, heating elements of electrical appliances are made of nichrome i.e.
an alloy.
4. Insulators are used to protect ourselves from the severe shock of electric current.
1.7 OHM’S LAW :
"When physical conditions (temperature, length, cross section) remains the same, the current
flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across the ends
of a conductor".
i.e. I  V
So we can also write
V  I
V  IR

V
R = Constant, provided length, cross section and temperature of the conductor remains same.
I

Bigger units of resistance.

1 kilo ohm (K) = 103 
1 Mega ohm (M) = 106 

1Volt
 1 ohm 
1 Ampere

1 ohm is the resistance of a conductor is defined as when 1V of potential difference is applied across
the conductor and then a current of 1A flows through it.
Exception of Ohm’s law– In general almost all metal conductors obey the Ohm’s law V = IR for
which graph between V and I is a straight line as shown in figure. The conductors (or devices) obeying
the ohm’s law are called ohmic. However, there are some exceptions such as vacuum tube, semiconductor
diode, transistor, liquid electrolytes etc. in which relation V = IR does not hold good. These devices are
called non-ohmic.
Figure (a) shows V – I curve for a bulb. This appears from
the figure that this device do not obey the relation V = IR.

V
(a)

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Figure (b) shows V – I curve for a semiconductor device

such as diode or transistor. Again this graph is not fitted in
I
the form of standard Ohm’s law. Hence such devices are
non-ohmic. V

(b)

The reciprocal of resistance is called conductance G = 1/R. l

Its SI unit is ohm–1 or mho or siemen(s).
The substances which obey Ohm's law are called Ohmic or linear

conductors. The resistance of such conductors is independent of O V
magnitude and polarity of applied potential difference. Here the graph
between I and V is a straight line passing through the origin. The
reciprocal of slope of straight line gives resistance
V 1
R=  = constant.
I tan 
l
Examples silver, copper, mercury, carbon, mica etc.
The substances which do not obey Ohm's law are called non-ohmic or
non linear conductors. The I – V curve is not a straight line.
i.e. p-n diode, transistor, thermionic valves, rectifiers etc. O V

Choose the correct alternative :

(a) Alloys of metals usually have (greater/less) resistivity than that of their constituent
metals.
(b) Alloys usually have much (lower/higher) temperature coefficients of resistance than
pure metals.
(c) The resistance of graphite and most non-metals increases/decreases with increase in
temperature.
(d) The resistivity of a semiconductor increases/decreases rapidly with increasing
temperature.
(e) The resistivity of the alloy manganin is nearly independent of / increases rapidly with
increases of temperatures.
(f) The resistivity of a typical insulator (e.g, amber) is greater than that of a metal by a
factor of the order of (1022 /1023).

Solution

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(a) Alloys of metals usually have greater resistivity than that of their constituent metals.
(b) Alloys usually have much lower temperature coefficients of resistance than pure metals.
(c) The resistance of graphite and most non metals decreases with increase in temperature.
(d) The resistivity of a semiconductor decreases rapidly with increasing temperature.
(e) The resistivity of the alloy manganin is nearly independent of increasing temperature.
(f) The resistivity of a typical insulator (e.g. amber) is greater than that of a metal by factor of the
order of 1022.

Important terms :
Resistor : A component in an electric circuit which offers resistance (i.e. opposition) to the flow
of electrons constituting electric current is known as a resistor. For example, a metallic wire or a
conductor used in an electric circuit is known as resistor.
Variable resistance : In an electric circuit, sometimes current has to be increased or decreased.
A component used in an electric circuit to change the current without changing the potential difference
across the circuit is called variable resistance.
Rheostat is a device used in an electric circuit to change the resistance and hence current in the
circuit. It means, rheostat acts as a variable resistance of unknown value in the circuit.

1.8 COMBINATION OF RESISTANCES (OR RESISTORS):

Series Combination :
R1 R2 R3
In this combination, the resistances are joined end to end. In
series combination the current across each resistance is same V1 V2 V3
but the potential difference across each R1, R2 and R3 are V1,
I
V2 and V3. To replace R1, R2 and R3 by an equivalent resistance
the potential difference across equivalent should be equal to the
sum of the potential difference across the three resistances. E
V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2
V3 = IR3
E = V1 + V2 + V3
IReq = IR1 + IR2 + IR3

R eq  R 1  R 2  R 3
Characteristics of series circuit :
(i) Same current is flowing through all the resistances.
(ii) The effective resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. Effective resistance
Reff = R1 + R2 + R3.
(iii) The applied voltage V = V1 + V2 + V3.
(iv) The maximum power is consumed by the resistor having the highest resistance, or the voltage
drop is maximum across the highest resistance.

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Disadvantage of a series arrangement of resistors :

(i) Suppose all electric appliances like bulbs and electric tubes are connected in series in a circuit. If
any one of them fuses (i.e., breaks), then all the other appliances will also not work. This is
because series arrangement is not used in domestic electric circuits.
(ii) Different electric appliances like bulbs, electric tubes, electric heaters, toaster etc. have different
resistance and hence they require different amount of electric current for their operations. If they
all are connected in series, they will not operate properly.
Illustration : Calculate (a) the equivalent resistance, (b) the electric current,
and (c) the potential difference across each resistor in the circuit
shown in figure

10  5 15 

7.5 V 7.5 V
(a) (b)

Sol.
(a) Any current that passes through the resistor of 10 also passes through the resistor of 5. So,
the 10 and 5 resistors are connected in series. Their equivalent resistance is
R = 10 + 5 = 15 
(b) The circuit is equivalent to that shown in figure (b). The current is
V 7.5V
i= = = 0.5 A.
R 15 
This is the current through both the resistors.
(c) The potential difference across the 10  resistor is
V1 = iR1 = (0.5 A) × (10 ) = 5V
The potential difference across the 5 resistor is
V2 = iR2 = (0.5 A) × (5) = 2.5 V.

Parallel Combination :
When two or more resistances are combined in such a way that their first ends are connected to one
point and the second ends to another point then this combination is in parallel. In this combination the
potential difference between the ends of all the resistances is same but the current in different resistances
are different.
I = I1 + I2 + I3 E

V V V
I  
R1 R2 R3
I R1 I
I1
R2
I2 R3
I3
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V V V V
  
Req R1 R2 R3

1 1 1 1
   
R eq R 1 R 2 R 3
The reciprocal of the equivalent resistance of the resistances connected in parallel is equal to the sum of
the reciprocal of those resistances.
Advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel :
1. In a series circuit the current is constant throughout the electric circuit. Thus it is obviously
impracticable to connect an electric bulb and an electric heater in series, because they need
currents of widely different values to operate properly.
2. Another major disadvantage of a series circuit is that when one component fails the circuit is
broken and none of the components works.
3. On the other hand, a parallel circuit divides the current through the electrical gadgets. The total
resistance in a parallel circuit is decreased. This is helpful particularly when each gadget has
different resistance and requires different current to operate properly.

If 'n' number of resistors each of same value connected in parallel, then the
equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of 'n' resistors is given by

R
Req.=
n

Illustration :
Determine the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the following
circuits

Solution

C
6

7
6
1 and 2 in series Req1  4  2  6
A B
10

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3
7 1 1 1
6 and 6 in parallel reduces to    3
Req2 6 6
A B
10
10

3 and 7 in series Req3  3  7  10

A B
10

1 1 1
10 and 10 in parallel A B    5
5 Req 10 10

Q. Given n resistors each of resistance R, how will you combine them to get the (i) maximum
(ii) Minimum effective resistance? What is the ratio of the maximum to minimum resistance?
Solution
(i) For maximum effective resistance, all the resitors should be joined in series.
Rmax = R + R + R + ........ n or Rmax = nR
(ii) For minimum effective resistance all the resistors should be joined in parallel.
1 1 1 1 1 n
=   + ........n or =
R min R R R R min R

R
so, Rmin =
n

R max 2
Now, R min = n .

Try yourself :
1. Determine the value of current in the 2 resistance and the potential difference between A and B in the
circuit diagram given

2. Find the equivalent resistance between the points A and D of the adjoining circuit diagram.

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B C
A D
6 6 6

Distribution of Current in Two Resistors in Parallel :

Consider the circuit in Figure. The resistance R1 and R2 are connected in parallel. The current i gets
distributed in the two resistors.
I1 R1
We have i = i1 + i2 .........(i)
A B
Applying Ohm's law to the resistor R1, R2
VA – VB = R1i1. ........(ii) I I2
And applying Ohm's law to the resistor R2,
VA – VB = R2i2. ........(iii)
R1
From (ii) and (iii), R1i1 = R2i2 or i2 = i1 .
R2
Substituting for i2 in (i), we have

1 R 1 R  R1  R 2 R2
i = i1 + R i1 = i1 1  R  = i1 = R2 or i1 
R1  R 2
i
2  2

R1
Similarly, i2  i
R1  R 2

i1 R 2
Thus, 
i 2 R1 .
The current through each branch in a parallel combination of resistors is inversely proportional to its
resistance.

Illustration : Two resistors of resistance 10  and 20  are connected in parallel.

A battery supplies 6 A of current to the combination, as shown in figure. Calculate the
current in each resistor.

10 

20 
6A

Sol. The current in the 10  resistors is

R2 ( 20 )  (6A)
i1  i =
R1  R 2 (10 )  (20 ) = 4A.

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The current in the 20  resistor is

R1 (10 )  (6A)
i2  i =
R1  R 2 (10 )  (20 ) = 2A.

1.9 KIRCHHOFF’S LAW :

Kirchhoff’s First law or Junction Rule :
In an electric circuit, the ‘algebraic’
sum of the currents meeting at any junction in the circuit is Zero, that is
i  0
I1 + I2 – I3 – I4 – I5=0
I1 + I2 = I3 + I4 + I5
Kirchhoff’s First law is a statement of the conservation of charge.
Kirchhoff’s second law or Mesh (loop) Rule :
In any ‘closed’ mesh of a circuit the algebraic sum of the products of the current and the resistance in
each part of the mesh is equal to the algebraic sum of the emf’s in that mesh
E 0
Kirchoff’s second law is simply a statement of the conservation of energy.

Kirchhoff’s second law for mesh 1, we have

– I1R1 + E1 – E2 + I2R2 = 0 (1)
Kirchoff’s second law for mesh 2, we have
– I2R2 + E2 –(I1 + I2)R3 = 0 (2)

Illustration :
Apply Kirchhoff’s Voltage law to the adjoining circuit and obtain two
equations for I1 and I2.

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Solution
Mark the current distribution for the circuit.
Apply Kirchoff’s law for the first closed mesh, we have
I1 × 10 + (I1 – I2) × 15 – 3 = 0
25I1 – 15I2 = 3 ..(1)
Applying Kirchoff’s voltage law for the second closed mesh,
we have
I2 × 20 + I2 × 50 –(I1 – I2)15 = 0
17I2 – 3I1 = 0 ..(2)
Solving equation (1) and (2), we get
51
I1   0.134 A
380
9
and I2   0.024 A
380

Relation among Terminal Potential Difference, EMF and Internal Resistance of a cell :
Let I E r
E = Emf of cell I
V = Terminal Potential difference V
I R
r = Internal resistance of cell A

During discharging Mode E r

I
E
V  E  Ir Where, I =
Rr
During charging Mode V
V  E  Ir

1.10 HEATING EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT :

When conductor is connected to a source of electricity like cell or batteries, an electric field is developed
across its ends and due to this field the free electrons of the conductor get moving in a definite
direction. During their motion these free electrons experience the resistance due to the collisions with
the ions or atoms already present in that conductor. Therefore, some energy of the electrons gets lost
in this process which appears in the form of heat energy. This effect of electric current is known as
heating effect of electric current. The electric appliances like electric kettle, heater, press etc.
operate their functioning based on the heating effect of electric current.
Conductor
Passing of an electric current of strength ‘i’ through a
conductor of resistance ‘R’ for time-interval t produces a A B

potential difference ‘V’ across its ends then the total charge V
i i
passing
through the conductor in time-interval t will be +

q = Strength of Current × time-interval or q = i × t
In this process the work done in carrying q coulomb of charge from one end to the other at potential
difference V will be
W = q.V or W = (i × t) × V = i × t × (i × R) = i2 × R t

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If this entire work is converted into heat then heat produced is;
W Vi  t
H= =
J J
Here J is a conversion constant and known as the Mechanical equivalent of heat. Its value is
4.18 joule/calorie (1 cal = 4.18 J)
Hence the heat produced due to flow of current through a conductor.
Vi .  t
H= = 0.239 Vi . t = 0.239 i2 Rt (in calorie)
4.18

The production of heat in a conductor due to flow of electric current through

it is called heating effect of electric current.

1.11 JOULE’S LAW :

These are as follows :–
(i) The amount of heat (H) produced in a conductor in a definite time interval t is directly proportional
to the square of the strength of current passing through it.
Hence H  I2
It is also known as law of current.
(ii) If the current of definite strength i passes through a conductor of resistance R for a definite time
interval  t then the amount of heat (H) produced in the conductor is directly proportional to its
resistance R.
Hence HR
It is also known as the law of resistance.
(iii) If the current of definite strength i passes through a conductor of resistance R then the amount of
heat (H) produced in the conductor is directly proportional to the time interval t for which the
current flows in it.
Hence H  t
It is also known as the law of time.
Therefore the amount of heat produced (H) when a current of strength i passes through a conductor
of resistance R for a time interval t is given by
H  I2 R  t
H = I2Rt Joule

1 2
or H I Rt  0.239I 2 Rt calorie
J

This equation is a mathematical expression of Joule’s law.

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Specimen Numerical :– An electric heater of resistance 500 ohm is connected to a main supply for
30 minutes. If 5 A current flows through the filament of the heater, calculate the heat energy produced
in the heater.
Solution : Here, I = 5 A; R = 500 ohm
t = 30 minute = 30 × 60 s = 1800 s.
Using, H = I2Rt, we get
H = (5)2 × 500 × 1800 = 22500000 J = 2.25 × 107 J
Thus, heat energy produced = 2.25 × 107 J

1.12 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF HEATING EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

1. Electric heater, electric iron and water heater etc. work on the heating effect of current.
When electric appliances like electric heater, electric iron and water heater etc. are connected to
the main supply of electricity, these appliances become hot but the connecting wires remain cold.
The element of electric heater is made of nichrome. Nichrome has high value of resistivity and
hence high resistance. We know, heat produced is directly proportional to the resistance of the
material through which current flows. Since, resistance of nichrome is high, so a large amount of
heat is produced in the element of the electric heater. Thus, filament of electric heater becomes
red hot. On the other hand, connecting wires are made of copper or aluminium is very small, so a
very small heat is produced in the connecting wires made of copper or aluminium.
2. Electric bulb glows when electric current flows through the filament of the bulb.
Filament of an electric bulb is made of a thin wire of tungsten. The melting point of filament is high
i.e., about 3380ºC. The filament of the bulb is enclosed in a glass envelope fixed over an insulated
support. The glass envelope of electric bulb is filled with inactive gases like nitrogen and argon.
Since resistance of thin filament is very high, so a large heat is produced as the electric current
flows through the filament of the bulb becomes white hot. Hence, the filament of the bulb emits
light and heat.
3. Electric fuse in the electric circuit melts when large current flows in the circuit.
Electric fuse is a safety device connected in series with the electric circuit. Electric fuse is a wire made
of a material whose melting point is very low. Examples of the materials for making fuse wire are
copper or tin-lead alloy. When large current flows through a circuit and hence through a fuse wire, a
large amount of heat is produced. Due to this large amount of heat, the fuse wire melts and the circuit
is broken so that current stops flowing in the circuit. This saves the electric circuit from burning.

Electric fuses used in electrical circuits are rated as 1A, 2A, 3A, 5A, 10A etc.
When we say, electric fuse is rated as 1A, it means the maximum current that
can flow through the fuse wire without melting it is 1A. If an electric current flows
through the electric circuit is more than 1A, then the fuse rated as 1A will melt
and the circuit breaks. For such electric circuit, fuse rated as 2A is used.

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1.13 ELECTRIC POWER :

The rate of doing work, in an electric device due to flow of current in it, is defined as the power of that
electric device.
If, in a circuit with an electric source, the potential difference V is developed across the two ends of
a conductor of resistance R as current of strength i passes through it for a time-interval t then work
done in carrying a charge q through a potential difference V in the circuit will be–
W = q × V = i × t × V
So the rate of work done, i.e., Power of the electric device (P);
W iΔ tV
P= = =i×V
Δt Δt
V2
or P=V×i= = i2 R
R

P = VI, when either V or I or both V and I change.

P = I2R is applied when current I is constant in the electric circuit.
V2
P= is applied when potential difference is constant in the electric circuit.
R
1 VA = 1 W
1 kVA = 103 W
1 h.p. = 746 W
* Equivalent power in series and parallel combination.
• In series combination P1,V1 P2,V2 P3,V3
1 1 1 1
=   i
Peq P1 P2 P3
V

i1 P1
• In parallel combination
Peq = P1 + P2 + P3 i2 P2
i3 P3
i

V
The S.I. unit of electric power is watt. Therefore in an electric circuit if 1 ampere current flows for a
time-interval of 1 second through a potential difference of 1 Volt then the power of the electric device
is termed as 1 watt.
In general kilowatt & Megawatt are used for measurement of electric power, Hence –
1 Kilowatt = 1000 watt = 103 watt
and 1 Megawatt = 1000 kilowatt = 106 watt
In practice, Horse Power (H.P.) is also used for the measurement of electric power. The value of 1
Horse Power is 746 Watt.
1.14 ELECTRIC ENERGY :
The work done in moving an electric charge through a circuit is electric energy.
The work done by an electric source for the flow of current for a certain time interval is known as
electric energy of the circuit. If electric power P is given for a small time t in a electric circuit then

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electric energy of the circuit will be W = P × t so the electric energy of the electric circuit is–
W = P × t = Vi t = i2 Rt
The unit for the measurement of electric energy is watt × sec or joule. In practice kilo-watt hour is
used for the measurement of Electric Energy. It is also known as Board of Trade Unit (B.O.T.U.) or
simply Electric Unit i.e.,
1 Electric Unit = 1 k.w.h. = 1 kilo watt × 1 hour = 1000 watt × 3600 second
or 1 Electric Unit = 3.6 × 106 watt × second or joule. The rate of doing work, in an electric
device due to flow of current in it, is defined as the power of that.

How to calculate electricity bill?

Suppose electric appliances of a house have consumed 100 kWh of electric
energy in a month and the cost of one unit is 50 paise. Then the total bill for
a month = 100 × 50 = 5000 paise = Rs. 50.00. Here 1 kWh = 1 unit.

 Electric current : An electric current is defined as the amount of charge flowing through any
Q
cross-section of a conductor per unit time, I = . Electric current is a scalar quantity..
t
ne
 Electric current in terms of number of electrons (n) in a conductor, I = ,
t
e = charge on an electron = –1.6 × 10–19 C.
 In a metallic wire or conductor, the flow of electric current is due to the flow of electrons from one
end to the other end of the wire.
 Charge carrier in a metallic wire are conduction elements.
 6.25 × 1018 electrons make one coulomb of charge.
 S.I. unit of electric current is ampere (A).
 Ampere (A) : Electric current through a conductor is said to be 1 ampere if one coulomb charge
flows through any cross-section of the conductor in one second.
 Ammeter is used to measure electric current.
 Ammeter is always connected in series in an electric circuit.
 Electric potential is defined as work done per unit charge.

W
V= q

 Electric potential is a scalar quantity.

 Electric potential difference is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive charge from one
point to another point.

W
dV = q

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 SI unit of electric potential is volt (V).

 Voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference between two points in an electric circuit.
 Voltmeter is always connected in parallel in an electric circuit.
 Ohm's Law : This law states that, "the electric current flowing in a conductor is directly proportional
to the potential difference across the ends of the conductor, provided the temperature and other
physical conditions of the conductor remain the same".
 Resistance (R) : Resistance of a conductor is the ability of the conductor to oppose the flow of
charge through it.
 Unit of resistance is ohm.
 1 Ohm : Resistance of a conductor is said to be 1 ohm if a potential difference of 1 volt across the
ends of the conductor produces a current of 1 ampere through it.
 Resistor is a component (say a metallic wire) in an electric circuit which offers resistance to the
flow of electrons constituting the electric current in the electric circuit.
 Law of Resistance :
(i) Resistance of a conductor depends upon the nature of the material of the conductor.
(ii) Resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to the length of the conductor.
(iii) Resistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to the each of cross-section of the conductor.
(iv) Resistance of metallic conductor increases with the increase of temperature and decreases
with the decrease of the temperature.

l
 R=
A
 Resistivity or Specific Resistance () : Resistivity is defined as the resistance of the conductor of
unit length and unit area of cross-section.
 Unit of Resistivity :
In CGS system, unit if resistivity is ohm-cm.
In SI system, unit of resistivity is ohm-metre.
 Two or more resistors are said to be connected in series if same amount of current flows through
these resistors.
 The effective resistance of series combination of resistors is the algebraic sum of the individual
resistances of the resistors in the combination.
 An electric bulb or a heater or a metallic wire acts as a resistor.
 If one of the electric bulbs connected in a series is fused, then no electric bulb will glow inspite of
the fact that the combination is connected with a source of electric current.
 Two or more resistors are said to be connected in parallel if the potential difference across each
resistor is equal to the applied potential difference across the combination of the resistors.
 The effective resistance of the resistors connected in parallel is less than the minimum resistance
of a resistor in the combination.

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 Resistors are connected in series if the resistance of the electric circuit is to be increased.
 Resistors are connected in parallel if the resistance of the electric circuit is to be decreased.
 Joule's Law of Heating :
The amount of heat produced in a conductor is
(i) Directly proportional to the square of the electric current flowing through it.
(ii) Directly proportional to the resistance of the conductor.
(iii) Directly proportional to the time for which the electric current flows through the conductor.
H = I2Rt (joule)
 Electric fuse is a safety device used to save the electric appliances from burning.
 Electric fuse is a wire made of a material having low melting point.
 Electric fuse wire is made of copper or tin-lead alloy.
 Electric energy : The work done by a source of electricity to maintain a current in an electric
circuit is known as electric energy.
E = VIt
 Electric power : Electric power is defined as the amount of electric work done in one second.
V2
P = VI = I2R =
R
 SI unit of power is watt.
 Practical unit of power is horse power (h.p.)
1 h.p. = 746 W
 Electric energy = Electric power × time
 Commercial unit of Energy : kilowatt-hour (kWh)
 1 kWh = 3.6 × 106 J

Q
Electric Current i=
t
Important
Ohm's Law V = iR
l
R=
A
Resistors in series R eq = R1 + R2 + R3 + .......
1 1 1 1
Resistors in parallel     ....
R eq R1 R 2 R 3

V2
Heat produced by electric current U = i2 Rt = t = Vit
R

U V2
Electric power P= = i2 R = = Vi
t R

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[NCERT Questions]
Q.1 A piece of wire of resistance R is cut into five equal parts. These parts are then connected
in parallel. If the equivalent resistance of this combination is R', then the ratio R/R' is :
(A) 1/ 25 (B) 1/5 (C) 5 (D) 25
R
Ans. Resistance of each one of the five parts 
5

1 1 1 1 1 1
    
R' R / 5 R / 5 R / 5 R / 5 R / 5

1 5 5 5 5 5 25
or      
R' R R R R R R

R
or  25
R'
Thus, (D) is the correct answer.

Q.2 Which of the following terms does not represent electrical power in a circuit :
(A) I2R (B) IR2 (C) VI (D) V2/R
Ans. Electrical power,
2
V V
P  VI  (IR )R  I 2 R  V  
R R
Obviously , IR2 does not represent electrical power in a circuit.
Thus, (B) is the current an answer .

Q.3 An electric bulb is rated 220 V and 100 W. When it is operated on 110 V, the power consumed
will be
(A) 100W (B) 75 W (C) 50W (D) 25W
Ans. Resistance of the electric bulbs,

V2
R (P = V2/R)
P

(220) 2
or R  484
100
power consumed by the bulb when it is operated at 110 V is given by

V '2 (110) 2 110 110

P'     25W
R 484 484
(V' = 110 V)
Thus, (D) is the correct answer .

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Q.4 Two conducting wires of the same material and of equal lengths and equal diameters are
first connected in series and then in parallel in electric circuit . The ratio of the heat produced
in series and parallel combinations would be :
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 1 : 4 (D) 4 : 1
Ans. Since both the wires are made of the same material and have equal lengths and equal diameters, these
have the same resistance. Let it be R.
When connected in series, their equivalent resistance is given by
Rs = R + R = 2R
When connected in parallel, their equivalent resistance is given by
1 1 1 2 R
  
R p R R R or R p  2

V2
Further, electrical power is given by P 
R

s V2
Power (or heat produced) in series, P 
Rs

V2
P 
Power (or heat produced) in parallel, p R
p

ps V 2 / R s R p R / 2 1
Thus,     or Ps : Pp : : 1 : 4
Pp V 2 / R p R s 2R 4

thus, (C) is the correct answer

Q.5 How is voltmeter connected in the circuit to measure potential difference between two points?
Ans. A voltmeter is always connected in parallel across the points between which the P.D. is to be determined.

Q.6 A copper wire has a diameter of 0.5 mm and a resistivity of 1.6 × 10–6 ohm cm. How much of
this wire would be required to make a 10 ohm coil ? How much does the resistance change
if the diameter is doubled ?
Ans. We are given that, Diameter of the wire, D = 0.5 mm = 0.5 × 10–3 m
resistivity of copper (), = 1.6 × 10–6 ohm cm = 1.6 × 10–8 ohm m
required resistance, R = 10 ohm

 RA R (D 2 / 4) RD 2
As R ,    [A  r 2  (D / 2) 2  D 2 / 4]
A   4

3.14  10  (0.5  103 )2

or  m  112.7 m
4  1.6  108

 4
Since, R  2
 2
.(R  1 / D 2 ) . When D is doubled , R becomes 1 times .
D / 4 D 4

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Q.7 The value of current, I, flowing in a given resistor for the corresponding value of potential
difference, V, across the resistor are given below :
I (ampere) : 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
V (volt) : 1.6 3.4 6.7 10.2 13.2
Plot a graph between V and I and calculate the resistance of resistor.
Ans. The V-I graph is as shown in fig.

4.0

3.0
2.65
I (Ampere)

2.0

1.4
1.0
0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
V(Volt)

For V = 4V (i.e., 9V - 5V ), I = 1.25 A (i.e., 2.65 A - 1.40 A). Therefore,

V 4V
R   3.2 
I 1.25A

The value of R obtained from the graph depends upon the accuracy with which the graph is plotted.

Q.8 When a 12 V battery is connected across an unknown resistor, there is a current of 2.5 mA
in the circuit. Find the value of the resistance of the resistor.
Ans. Here, V = 12V, I = 2.5 mA = 2.5 × 10–3 A
Resistance of the resistor
V 12V
R   4800   4.8 k
I 2.5  103 A

Q.9 A battery of 9 V is connected in series with resistors of 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.4 , 0.5 and 12 . How much
current would flow through the 12 resistor ?
Ans. Since all the resistors are in series, equivalent resistance.
RS = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.5 + 12 = 13.4
Current through the circuit,
V 9V
I   0.67A
R s 13.4
In series, same current (I) flows through all the resistors.
Thus, current flowing through 12  resistor = 0.67 A

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Q.10 How many 176 resistors (in parallel) are required to carry 5 A in 220 V line ?
Ans. Here, I = 5A, V = 220 V.
V 220V
Resistance required in the circuit, R    44, resistance of each resistor, r = 176 .
I 5A
If n resistors, each of resistance r, are connected in parallel to get the required resistance R,
r 176 176
then R or 44  or n  4
n n 44

Q.11 Show how you would connect three resistors , each of resistance 6 , so that the combination
has a resistance of (i) 9 (ii) 2 .
Ans. (i) In order to get a resistance of 9 from three resistors , each of resistance 6 , we connect two
resistors in Parallel combination (or resistance 3 ) in series with the third resistor as shown in fig.
(ii) In order to get a resistance of 2 from three resistors, each of resistance 6 , we connect all
the three resistors in parallel as shown in fig (b) as equivalent resistance in parallel combination,
6
i.e., Rp is given by R p   2
3

Q.12 Several electric bulbs designed to be used on a 220 V electric supply line, are rated 10 W.
How many lamps can be connected in parallel with each other across the two wires of 220 V
line if the maximum allowable current is 5 A ?
V 2 (220) 2
Ans. Resistance of each bulb, r    4840
P 10
220V
Total resistance in the circuit, R   44
5A
Let n be the number of bulbs (each of resistance r) to be connected in parallel to obtain a resistance R.
r r 4840
Clearly , R  or n    110
n R 44

Q.13 A hot plate of an electric oven connected to a 220 V line has two resistance coils A and B,
each of 24  resistance, which may be used separately, in series , or in parallel. What are
the currents in the three cases ?
Ans. Here, potential difference, V = 220 V.
Resistance of each coil, r = 24 .
(i) When each of the coils A or B is connected separately, current through each coil, i.e.,
V 220V
I   9 .2 A
r 24
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(ii) When coils A and B are connected in series, equivalent resistance in the circuit,
Rs = r + r = 48 
V 220V
Current through are series combination , ie.e, Is    4.6A
Rs 48
(iii) When the coils A and B are connected in parallel, equivalent resistance in the circuit,
r 24
Rp    12
2 2
V 220V
Current through the parallel combination, i.e, I p    18.3A
R p 12

Q.14 Compare the power used in the 2  resistor in each of the following circuits :
(i) a 6V battery in series with 1and 2 resistors, and
(ii) a 4 V battery in parallel with 12and 2resistors.
Ans.
(i) Since 6V battery is in series with 1  and 2 resistors, current in the circuit.
6V 6V
I   2A
1  2 3
Power used in 2 resistor, P1 = i2 R = (2A)2 × 2  = 8W

(ii) Since 4 V battery is in parallel with 12  and 2 resistors, pd across 2 resistor, V = 4V.
2 2
Power used in 2 resistor, P2  V  (4V )  8W
R ( 2 )

P1 8W
Clearly,  1
P2 8W

Q.15 Two lamps, one rated 100 W at 220 V, and the other 60 W at 220 V, are connected in parallel
to the electric mains supply. What current is drawn from the line if the supply voltage is 220 V?
V 2 (220) 2
Ans. Resistance of first lamp , r1    484
P 100

V 2 (220) 2
Resistance of the second lamp, r2    806.7
P 60
Since the two lamps are connected in parallel , the equivalent resistance is given by
1 1 1 r r
   2 1
R p r1 r2 r1r2

r2 r1 484  806.7 390442.8

or Rp     302.5
r1  r2 484  806.7 1290.7

V 220V
Current drawn from the line, i.e., I    0.73A
R p 302.6
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Alternate Method
Given P1 = 100 Watt V1 = 220 volt
P2 = 100 Watt V2 = 220 volt
Both lamp are connected in parallel the
Peq = P1 + P2 = 100 + 60
Peq = 160 Watt
Voltage supply in electric line V = 220 Volt
than P = VI
V Peq 2160
I= P = =
eq V 220
I = 0.727 Ampere

Q.16 Which uses more energy, a 250 W TV set in 1 h, or 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes ?
Ans. Energy used by 250 W TV set in 1 h = 250 W × 1h = 250 Wh
Energy used by 1200 W toaster in 10 min. (i.e., 1/6 h) = 1200 W ×(1/6) h = 200 Wh
Thus, a 250 W TV set uses more power in 1h than a 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes.

Q.17 An electric heater of resistance 8  draws 15 A from the service mains for 2 hour. Calculate
the rate at which heat is developed in the heater
Ans. Here, I = 15A, R = 8 , t = 2h
Rate at which heat is developed , i.e, electric power , P = I2 R = (15)2 × 8 = 1800 W or J/s

Q.18 Explain the following :

(a) Why is tungsten used almost exclusively for filament of incandescent lamps ?
(b) Why are the conductors of electric heating devices, such as toasters and electric
irons, made of an alloy rather than a pure metal ?
(c) Why is the series arrangement not used for domestic circuits ?
(d) How does the resistance of a wire vary with its cross-sectional area ?
(e) Why are copper and aluminium wires usually employed for electricity transmission.
Ans. (a) Tungsten has a high milting point (3380°C) and becomes incandescent (i.e., emits light at a
high temperature) at 2400 K.
(b) The resistivity of an alloy is generally higher than that of pure metals of which it is made of.
(c) In series arrangement, if any one of the appliances fails or is switched off, all the other appliances
stop working because the same current is passing through all the appliances.
(d) The resistance of wire (R) varies inversely with its cross-sectional area (A) as R 1/A.
(e) Copper and Aluminium wires possess low resistivity and are economic so they are generally
used for electricity transmission.

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SECTION–A
Q.1 What does an electric circuit mean?
Ans. An electric circuit is a closed conducting path containing a source of potential difference or electric
energy (i.e. a cell or battery) and a device or element utilizing the electric energy.

Q.2 Define the unit of current.

Ans. Unit of electric current is ampere. Electric current in a conductor is said to be 1 A if 1 coulomb charge
flows through the cross-section of the conductor in 1 second.

Q.3 Calculate the number of electrons consisting one coulomb of charge.

Ans. q=1C
Let n = number of electrons consisting 1 C of charge.
Using q = ne, we have
q 1C
n= = = 6.25 × 1018 electrons.
e 1.6  1019 C

Q.4 Name a device that helps to maximize a potential difference across a conductor.
Ans. A cell or battery.

Q.5 What is meant by saying that a potential difference between two points is 1 V?
Ans. Potential difference between two points is 1 V if 1 joule work is done in moving 1 coulomb charge
from one point to another point.

Q.6 How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V battery?
Ans. Energy = Charge × Potential difference = 1 C × 6 V = 6 Joule.

Q.7 On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend?

Ans. Resistance of a conductor depends on (i) length (l) of the conductor, (ii) area of cross-section of the
conductor, (iii) nature of the material of the conductor and (iv) temperature of the conductor.

Q.8 Will current flow more easily through a thick wire or a thin wire of the same material, when
connected to the same source? Why?

V 1
Ans. I= . Since R  Area of cross  sec tion
R
Therefore, resistance of thin wire is more than the resistance of thick wire. Hence, current in thick
wire flows easily than in thin wire.

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Q.9 Let the resistance of an electrical component remains constant while the potential difference
across the ends of the component decreases to half of its former value. What change will
occur with current through it?
V V
Ans. I= . When V ' =
R 2
V I
I'= = .
2R 2
Thus, current in the component become half of it former value.

Q.10 Why are coil of electric toasters and electric irons made of an alloy rather than a pure
metal?
Ans. It is because (i) alloy does not oxidize (i.e. do not burn easily at high temperature), whereas pure
metal burns easily at high temperature, (ii) resistivity of an alloy is more than the resistivity of pure
metal, so large heat is produced due to the flow of current in an alloy.

Q.11 (a) Which among, iron and mercury is better conductor?

(resistivity of iron = 10.0 × 10–8  m and resistivity of mercury = 94 × 10–8  m)
(b) Which material is the best conductor?
Ans. (a) A material whose resistivity is low is a good conductor of electricity. Therefore, iron is better
conductor than mercury.
(b) Silver is the best conductor of electricity.

Q.12 Draw a schematic diagram of a circuit consisting of three batteries of 2 V each, a 5 

resistor, 8  resistor and a 12  resistor and a plug key, all connected in series.
5 8 12 

Ans.

+ –
2V×3= 6V K

Q.13 Redraw the circuit of question 12, putting an ammeter to measure the current through the
resistor and a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across 12  resistor. What
would be the reading in the ammeter?
Ans. Total resistance of the circuit, 5 8 12 
R = 5  + 8  + 12  = 25 
V=6V – + V –
A
V 6 +
I= = = 0.24 A
R 25 + –
Therefore, reading of ammeter = 0.24 A 2V×3= 6V K
Reading of voltmeter = IR = 0.24 A × 12  = 2.88 V.

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Q.14 Judge the equivalent resistance when the following are connected in parallel :
(a) 1  and 106  (b) 1  and 103  and 106 .
Ans. (a) When resistors are connected in parallel, then equivalent resistance of the combination is less
than the least resistance in the combination. Therefore, equivalent resistance of 1  and
106  connected in parallel is approximately 1  but less than 1 .
(b) The equivalent resistance is approximately 1  but less than 1 .

Q.15 An electric lamp of 100 W, a toaster of resistance 50 , and a water filter of resistance
500 are connected in parallel to 220 V source. What is the resistance of an electric iron
connected to the same source that takes as much current as all three appliances and what in
the current through it?

V2 220
Ans. Resistance of electric lamp, R1 = = 220 × = 484 
P 100
Net resistance when all appliances are connected in parallel
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2912
= R R R =   =
R 1 2 3 484 50 500 121000
Therefore R = 41.55 
V 220
Therefore I= = = 5.3 A.
R 41.55

Q.16 What is (a) highest (b) lowest resistance that can be secured by combining four coils of
resistances 4 , 8 , 12 , 24 ?
Ans. (a) Highest resistance is obtained when coils are connected in series.
Therefore R = 4 + 8 + 12 + 24 = 48 
(b) Lowest resistance is obtained when coils are connected in parallel.
1 1 1 1 1 12
Therefore =    =
R 4 8 12 24 24
24
Therefore R= = 2 .
12

Q.17 Why does the connecting cord of an electric heater does not glow while the heating element does?
Ans. This is because resistance of cord of electric heater is less than the resistance of heating element. So
more heat is produced in the heating element and less heat is produced in the cord. Due to more heat,
heating element glows.

Q.18 Compute the heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of charge in one hour through
a potential difference of 50 V.
Ans. H = VIt
Q  Q
H=V× ×t  I  
t  t 
= VQ
= 50 × 96000 = 4.8 × 106 J.
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Q.19 An electric iron of resistance 20  takes a current of 5 A. Calculate the heat developed in
30 seconds.
Ans. H = I2Rt
= (25)2 × 20 × 30
= 15000 J.

Q.20 What are the advantage of connecting electrical devices in parallel with a battery instead of
connecting them in series?
Ans. (i) If any one of the electric devices in parallel fuses, then the working of other devices will not be
affected.
(ii) When different devices are connected in parallel, they draw the current as per their requirement
and hence they work properly.

Q.21 How can three resistors of resistance 2 , 3  and 6  be connected to give a total resistance
of (a) 4 , (b) 1  ?
Ans. (a) We get 4 resistance if 3 and 6 resistors are connected in parallel and this parallel
combination is connected in series with 2  as shown in figure.
Equivalent resistance of 3 and 6 is given by

1 1 1 1 1 3 1
= R R =  = = 3
R 1 2 3 6 6 2 2
Or R=2 6
Now 2  and 2  are in series,
So net resistance = 2  + 2  = 4 
(b) We get 1  resistance if all three resistors are connected in parallel.
2
1 1 1 1
Therefore = R R R 3
R 1 2 3

6
1 1 1 3  2 1 6
=   = = =1
2 3 6 6 6
or R = 1 .

Q.22 What determine the rate at which energy is delivered by an electric current?
Ans. Electric power determines the rate at which energy is delivered by an electric current.

Q.23 An electric motor takes 5 A from a 220 V line. Determine the power of the motor and energy
consumed in 2 h.
Ans. Power, P = VI = 220 × 5 = 1100 W
Energy consumed = Power × Time
= 1100 W × 2 h
= 2200 Wh
= 2.2 kWh.
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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

SECTION – B
Conceptual Problems :
Q.1 Electrical resistivity of some substances at 20ºC are given below :
Silver 1.60 × 10–8 -m
Copper 1.62 × 10–8 -m
Tungsten 5.2 × 10–8 -m
Iron 10.0 × 10–8 -m
Mercury 94.0 × 10–8 -m
Nichrome 10.0 × 10–8 -m
Answer the following question in relation to them :
(i) Among silver and copper, which one is a better conductor? Why?
(ii) Which material would you advise to be used in electrical heating devices? Why?
Ans.
(i) A material whose electrical resistivity is low is a good conductor of electricity. Since the electrical
resistivity of silver is less than that of the copper, so silver is a better conductor than the copper.
(ii) For making the elements of heating devices, alloy is used instead of a pure metal. This is because
the resistivity of an alloy is more than that of a metal and alloy does not burn (or oxidise) even at
higher temperature. Out of the given substance, nichrome is an alloy, so nichrome is used in
electrical heating devices.

Q.2 The length of different metallic wires but of same area of cross-section and made of the same materical
are given below.
Wire Length
A 1m
B 1.5 m
C 2.0 m
(i) Out of these wires, which wire has higher resistance.
(ii) Which wire has the highest electrical resistivity? Justify your answer.
Ans. (i) Resistance of a metallic wire  lenght of the wire.
Since, length of wire C is more than the lengths of wire A and B, therefore the wire C has the higher
resistance than that of wire A and B.
(ii) Electrical resistivity of a wire depends on the nature of the material of the wire and independent of
the length of the wire. Since all wires are made of same material, so the electrical resistivity of all
wires is same.

Q.3 Two metallic wires A and B of same material are connected in parallel. Wire A has length l and radius
r and wire B has length 2 l and radius 2r. Compute the ratio of the total resistance of parallel combination
and the resistance of wire A.
l l   2l l
Ans. Resistance of wire A, R1 = = 2 Resistance of wire B, R2 = 2 =
A1 r 2r  2r 2
Total resistance of the parallel combination,
1 1 1 1 r 2 2r 2 3r 2
= R + R or = + =
R 1 2 R l l l

l R l r 2 1
R=  R1 = 3r 2 × l = 3
3r 2
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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

SECTION – C
Numerical Ability :
Q.1 How much work will be done in bringing a charge of 5.0 millicoulombs from infinity to a point P at
which the potential is 12 V ?
Sol. The potential at infinity is usually taken as zero. So, the work done is
W =QV = (5.0× 10–3 C) × (12 V) = 60 × 10–3 J = 0.06 J.

Q.2 A particle with a charge of 1.5 coulombs is taken from a point A at a potential of 50 V to another point
B at a potential of 120 V. Calculate the work done.
Sol. We have
W = Q(VB – VA)
= (1.5 C) × (120 V – 50 V) = (1.5 × 70) J = 105 J.

Q.3 How many electrons are required to get 1 C of negative charge ?

Sol. Each electron has a negative charge of 1.6 × 10–19 C.
So, the number of electrons for 1 C of negative charge is
1C
n = 1.6  10 19 C = 6.25 × 1018.

Q.4 Calculate the current in a wire if 900 C of charge passes through it in 10 minutes.
Q 900 C 9
Sol. i= = 10  60 s = = 1.5 A
t 6

Q.5 How much current will flow through a resistor of resistance 12  if a battery of 18 V is connected
across it ?
Sol. From Ohm's law,
V 18 V
i = = 12  = 1.5 A.
R

Q.6 Calculate the resistance of a copper wire of length 1 m and area of cross section 2 mm2. Resistivity of
copper is 1.7 × 10–8  m.
Sol. From Ohm's law
l 1m
R=  = (1.7 × 10–8  m) × = 8.5 × 10–3 .
A 2  106 m 2

Q.7 A copper wire has a resistance of 0.6 . Another copper wire of the same mass as the first one is
double in length of the first. Find the resistance of the second wire.
Sol. For the first wire, let
l = length and A1 = cross-sectional area.
For the second wire,
2l = length and A2 = cross-sectional area.
Now, density = mass/volume.
The two wires have the same mass and they have the same density (being made of the same material).
So, their volumes are equal.

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 lA1 = 2lA2 or A1 = 2A2.

Let the resistivity of copper be .
l
Resistance of the first wire is 0.6  =  ...........(i)
A1
2l
Resistance of the second wire is R =  A ...........(ii)
2
Dividing (ii) by (i),
R 2lA1 2( 2 A 2 )
0.6  = lA 2 = A2 = 4
 R = 0.6  × 4 = 2.4 .

Q.8 In an experiment to verify Ohm's law, the current through a resistor and the potential difference across
it are measured. From the values given below, plot a graph of i versus V. Show that the data confirms
Ohm's law, and find the resistance of the resistor.
Current (A) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Potential difference (V) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 i
Sol. The graph is shown in figure. Scales are chosen to cover the A

(ampere)
given maximum values. We see that the graph is a straight 0.4
line passing through the origin. 0.3
Thus, i  V, which is Ohm's law. The resistance is 0.2
0.1
V OB 4.8 V B
R= = = 0.4 A = 12 . O
1 2 3 4 4.8 V(volt)
i AB

Q.9 When a potential difference of 20 V is applied across a resistor, it draws a current of 3A. If 30 V is
applied across the same resistor, what will be the current ?
Sol. The resistance of the resistor is
V 20 V 20
R= = 3A = 
i 3
When 30 V is applied across the resistor,
V 30 V
i= = 20 3  = 4.5 A.
R
Q.10 How will the resistance of a wire change if its diameter (d) is doubled, its length remaining the same ?
2
d d 2
Sol. the cross-sectional area of the wire is A1 = r =    =
2
.
2 4
l l 4ρl
Its resistance = R1 =  = = 2.
A1 d 2 d
4
2
When the diameter is doubled, cross-sectional area A2 =  
2d 
 = d .
2

 2 
l l
Its resistance = R2 =  A =  2 .
2 d
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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

l
R2 2 1
Thus = 4dl =
R1 4
d 2

1
or R2 = R.
4 1
So, on doubling the diameter, the area of cross section becomes 4 times and the resistance becomes
one-fourth of the initial value.

Q.11 Calculate the potential difference across each resistor in the circuit shown in figure.
4 6 10

5V

Sol. The three resistors are joined in series. Their equivalent resistance is  20
5V
The current through the cell is i = 20  = 0.25 A.

The same current passes through each resistor Using Ohm's law, the potential difference across the
4 resistor = 0.25 A × 4 = 1V,
across the 6  resistor = 0.25 A × 6  = 1.5 V, and
across the 10  resistor = 0.25 A × 10  = 2.5 V.

Q.12 Three identical bulbs are connected in parallel with a battery. The current drawn from the battery is
6A. If one of the bulbs gets fused, what will be the total current drawn from the battery?
R Fused R

R R

R R

V V
(a) (b)
Sol. Let the potential difference maintained by the battery be V, and let the resistance of each bulb be R
(Figure). If the equivalent resistance of the circuit is r,
1 1 1 1 R
   or r = .
r R R R 3

V 3V
The current is i = = . It is given that this current is 6A.
r R

3V V
So, 6A = or = 2A.
R R

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If one of the bubls gets fused (figure), only two bulbs remain connected in parallel. The equivalent
resistance r' in that case is given by
1 1 1 R
=  or r' = .
r' R R 2
The current in the battery will be
V 2V
i'= = = 2 × (2 A) = 4 A.
r' R
Alternative :
As the three bulbs are identical, they will draw equal currents. As the total current is 6 A, each bulb
will draw 2 A of current. When one bulb gets fused, there is no current through it. Each of the
remaining bulbs remains connected to the battery as before. So current through each is still 2 A, giving
a total current of 4 A through the battery.

Q.13 A uniform wire of resistance R is cut into three equal pieces, and these pieces are joined in parallel.
What is the resistance of the combination ?
l
Sol. Resistance of the wire is R =  .
A
l l
Resistance of a piece of length is R' =  .
3 3A
R
or R' = .
3
Let the equivalent resistance of the three wires in parallel be Rp. Then
1 1 1 1 3 3 3 9
=   =    .
RP R3 R3 R3 R R R R
R
 Rp = .
9

Q.14 Consider the circuit shown in figure. The voltmeter on the left reads 10 V and that one the right reads
8 V. Find (a) the current through the resistance R, (b) the value of R, and (c) the potential difference
across the battery.
10V
V V

A B C
R 4

Sol. (a) Apply Ohm's law to the 4 resistor. The current through this resistor is
8V
i = 4  = 2A.

As the two resistors are connected in series, the same current passes through the two resistors
(the voltmeters draw only a negligible current). Hence, the current through R is 2A.

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

(b) Applying Ohm's law to the resistance R,

10 V
10 V = R × (2 A) or R = 2 A = 5.

(c) The potential difference across the battery is

VA – VC = (VA – VB) + (VB – VC) = 10 V + 8 V = 18 V.

Q.15 Three resistors of resistances 10 , 20  and 30  are connected in parallel with a 6 V cell. Find (a)
the current through each resistor, (b) the current supplied by the cell, and (c) the equivalent resistance
of the circuit.
Sol.
(a) Let the current through the 10 , 20  and 30  resistors be i1, i2 and i3 respectively. The
potential difference across each of them is 6 V. Thus,
6V 6V 6V
i1 = 10  = 0.6 A, i2 = 20  = 0.3 A, i3 = = 0.2 A.
30
(b) The current supplied by the cell is i1 10
i = i1 + i2 + i3 = 0.6 A + 0.3 A + 0.2 A = 1.1 A.
i i2 20
(c) The equivalent resistance of the circuit is
i3 30
V 6V
R= =  5.5 .
i 1.1 A

6V
Alternative :

1 1 1 1 11
= 10   20   30  = 60  .
R
60 
 R=  5.5 .
11

Q.16 Consider the circuit shown in figure. Calculate the current through the 3 resistor.
i1 3

i 4
4 2
i2 6

12V 12 V
(a) (b)
Sol. The 3  resistor and the 6  resistor are joined in parallel. Their equivalent resistance is
(3)  (6)
R = (3)  (6) = 2.
Thus, the two resistors may be replaced by a single resistor of resistance 2. The circuit can be
redrawn as shown in figure. The two resistors in the figure are joined in series. The equivalent resistance
is 4 + 2 = 6.

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

12 V
The current through the battery is i = 6  = 2A.
Now look at Figure (a). The current through the battery and the 4  resistor is 2 A. This current is
divided in the two resistors (3 and 6) which are joined in parallel.
R 2i
Using i1 = R  R , the current through the 3  resistors is
1 2
(6)  (2A) 12  A
i1 = (3)  (6) = 9  = 1.33 A.

Q.17 (a) How will you join three resistors of resistances 4, 6 and 12  to get an equivalent resistance
of 8 ?
(b) What would be the highest and the lowest equivalent resistances possible by joining these resistors?
Sol.
(a) As the equivalent resistance is 8 , the 12  resistor cannot be in series. So it must be in parallel
with some other resistors.
In parallel connection, the equivalent resistance (8) has to be less than all the resistances. So,
the resistors of 4 and 6 cannot be in parallel at one time with 12.
So, the resistors have to be in a mixed combination. Let us try the combination shown in figure.
The equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel between B and C is
12 
(6 )  (12 )
(6 )  (12) = 4 . A 4
B C D
So, the resistance between A and D is 6
4 + 4 = 8 .
Thus, the combination shown in the figure is correct.
(b) The highest resistance would be from a series combination, and is equal to
4 + 6 + 12  = 22 
A parallel combination will give the lowest resistance, which is given by
1 1 1 1 3  2 1 6
=   = = .
R 4  6  12  12  12 
 R = 2.

Q.18 How many bulbs of resistance 6 ohms should be joined in parallel to draw a current of 2 amperes
from a battery of 3 volts ?
V 3V
Sol. The equivalent resistance of the circuit = R = = = 1.5 .
i 2A
Let n bulbs be joined in parallel to achieve this resistance, Then
1 1 1 1 n
=   ......  = (as all resistances = 6)
1.5  r1 r2 rn 6
6
 n= = 4.
1.5 
So, 4 bulbs should be connected in parallel.

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

Q.19 A current of 4 A passes through a resistance of 100  for 15 minutes. Calculate the heat produced in
calories.
Sol. The heat produced is U = i2Rt
= (4A)2 × (100 ) × (15 × 60 s) = 1.44 × 106 J.
Now 4.186 J = 1 cal.
1.44  106
Thus, 1.44 × 106 = cal = 3.4 × 105 cal.
4.186

Q.20 A 12 volt battery is connected to a bulb. The battery sends a current of 2.5 A through it. Calculate
(a) The power delivered to the bulb, and
(b) The energy transferred to the bulb in 5 minutes.
Sol. (a) The power delivered is
P = Vi = (12 V) × (2.5 A) = 30 W.
(b) Energy transferred in 5 minutes is
U = P × t = (30 W) × (5 × 60 s) = 9000 J.

Q.21 A current passes through a resistor for some time. It produced 400 cal of heat in this period. If the
current is doubled, how much heat will be produced for the same durations?
Sol. The heat produced is U = i2 Rt ......(i)
or 400 cal = i2Rt ......(ii)
If the heat produced is U1 when the current is doubled, U1 = (2i)2 Rt
From (i) and (ii), we have
U1 ( 2i) 2 Rt
400 cal = i 2 Rt = 4.
or U1 = 1600 cal.

Q.22 Calculate the wattage of an electric heater which draws 5 A current when connected to a 220 V
power supply.
Sol. The wattage is P = V × I = (220 V) × (5 A) = 1100 W.

Q.23 A bulb draws 24 W when connected to a 12 V supply. Find the power if it is connected to a 6 V
supply. (Neglect resistance change due to unequal heating in the two cases.).
V2
Sol. We have P=
R
(12 V 2 )
or 24 W = . ........(i)
R
Suppose the bulb draws power P1 when connected to the 6 V battery. Then,
(6 V 2 )
P1 = . ........(ii)
R
From (i) and (ii), we have
P1 (6 V ) 2 1
24 W = (12 V ) 2 = 4 .

24 W
or P1 = = 6 W..
4
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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

Q.24 Two identical resistors of resistance R are connected in series with a battery of potential difference V
for time t. The resistors are later connected in parallel and the same battery is connected across the
combination for time t. Compare the heat produced in the two cases.
Sol. The equivalent resistance of the series combination = R1 = R + R = 2R.
V2
The heat produced in time t is, H1 = t.
2R
(R ) (R ) R2 R
The equivalent resistance of the parallel combination is, R2 = = = .
RR 2R 2

V2 2V 2 H1 1
The heat produced in time t is H2 = t = t   H2 = 4H1
R/2 R H2 4
The heat produced with the parallel combination is four times that with the series combination.

Q.25 A bulb is rated 40 W, 220 V. Find the current drawn by it when it is connected to a 220 - V supply.
Sol. Since the bulb is rated at 220 V and it is connected to a 220 V supply, the power consumed will be
P 40 W 2
40 W. The current drawn by it is, i = = 220 V = A.
V 11

Q.26 A bulb is rated 60 W, 240 V. Calculate its resistance when it is on. If the voltage drops to 192 V, what
will be the power consumed and the current drawn?
V2
Sol. Power, P = .
R
2
V2 (240 V)
 R= = = 960 .
P 60 W
When the voltage drops to 192 V, the power consumed will be
2
V2 (192 V)
P= = = 38.4 W.
R 960 

V 192 V
The current drawn will be i = = 960  = 0.2 A.
R

Q.27 A room has two tube lights, a fan and a TV. Each tube light draws 40 W, the fan draws 80 W, and the
TV draws 60 W. On the average, the tube lights are kept on for five hours, the fan for twelve hours
and the TV for eight hours every day. The rate for electrical energy is Rs. 3.10 per kWh. Calculate the
cost of electricity used in this room in a 30 day month.
40
Sol. For each tube light, power P = 40 W = kW. So, the energy consumed by each tube light in a
1000
 40 
day is U = P × t =  kW  × (5 h) = 0.2 kWh.
 1000 
Energy consumed by the fan in a day is, U = P × t = (80 W) × (12 h) = 0.96 kWh.
Energy consumed by the TV in a day is, U = P × t = (60 W) × (8 h) = 0.48 kWh.
Total energy consumed in a day is, 2 × 0.2 kWh + 0.96 kWh + 0.48 kWh = 1.84 kWh
Energy consumed in a month is, (1.84 kWh) × 30 = 55.2 kWh.
The cost of electricity = Rs 55.2 × 3.1) = Rs. 171.12.

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SECTION-D [ PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS, (1 MARK) ]

Q.1 A bulb cannot be used in place of a resistor to verify Ohm's law. Justify this statement with reason.
[SAl-20l2]
Ans. It is because Ohm's law holds good at constant temperature only.

Q.2 Name the instrument/device used to measure electric current in a circuit. [SAI-2010, 2011, 2012]
Ans. Ammeter.

Q.3 How is an ammeter connected in a circuit to measure current flowing through it? [SAl-2011,2012]
Ans. In series.

Q.4 In an electric circuit, state the relationship between the direction of conventional current and the
direction of flow of electrons. [SAl-2011, 2012]
Ans. The direction of conventional current is opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.

Q.5 Name the device/instrument used to measure potential difference. How is it connected in electric
circuit? [SAl-2010, 2011, 2012]
Ans. Voltmeter, in parallel.

Q.6 What is the resistance of an ideal voltmeter? [SAl-2013]

Ans. Infinity.

Q.7 Write SI unit of resistivity. [SAl-20l3]

Ans. Ohm-metre.

Q.8 State a difference between the wire used in the element of an electric heater and in a fuse wire.
[SAI-2013]
Ans. The wire used in the element of an electric heater has very high resistance while that in a fuse wire has
a low resistance.

Q.9 What is meant by the statement that the rating of a fuse in a circuit is 5 A? [SAl-2013]
Ans. It means that the fuse wire melts when more than 5 A current flows through it.

Q.10 Why tungsten is used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamps? [SAI-2014]
Ans. Tungsten is an alloy as such it has a high resistivity and high melting point. Therefore, it is used exclusively
in filaments of electric lamps ..

Q.11 Define one watt. [SAl-2014]

Ans. The power expended by a source is said to be 1 watt if one ampere of current flows through it under
a potential difference of 1 volt.
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Q.12 Two students perform the experiments on series and parallel combinations of two given resistors R1
and R2 and plot the following V-I graphs.

V Series I Parallel

Parallel Series

I V
Which of the graphs is (are) correctly labelled in terms of the words ‘series’ and ‘parallel’. Justify your
answer [SAI-2014,2015]
Ans. In series combination, for a given voltage current is less as compared to that in parallel combination.
Therefore, both the graphs are labelled correctly.

SECTION - E [ PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS, (2 MARKS) ]

Q.1 Name a device that you can use to measure a potential difference between the ends of a conductor.
Explain the process by which this device does so. [SAI-2003]
Ans. A voltmeter is used to measure potential difference between the ends of a conductor. It is always
connected in parallel across the points between which the potential difference is to be measured.

Q.2 Define ‘1 volt’. State the relation between work, charge and potential difference for an electric circuit.
Calculate the potential difference between two terminals of the battery if 100 J of work is required to
transfer 20 C of charge from one terminal of the battery to the other. [SAI-2013]
Ans. The potential difference between two points is said to be 1 V if one joule of work is done in moving
a charge of 1 C between the two points.
Work = Q × V
100 = 20 × V
or V=5V

Q.3 State the factors on which the heat produced in a current carrying conductor depends. Give one
practical application of this effect. [SAl-20l2, 2013]
Ans. Heat produced in a current carrying conductor depends upon: (i) Square of the current (ii) Resistance
of the given conductor. (iii) Time for which the current flows. Electric iron, heater.

Q.4 List in a tabular form two differences in between a voltmeter and an ammeter. [SAl-2012, 2013]

Ans. Voltmeter Ammeter

(a) Used to measure (a) Used to measure
Potential difference. current
(b) Connected in parallel (b) Connected in series
in the electric circuit in the electric circuit
(c) Has high resistance (c) Has low resistance

Q.5 A large number of free electrons are present in metals yet no current flows in the absence of electric
potential across it. Explain the statement with reason. [SAI-2013]
Ans. A large number of free electrons are present in metals; yet no current flows. It is because the electrons move
in a random way such that there is no net flow of electrons in anyone direction. When a potential difference
is applied across the conductor all electrons move in the same direction, thereby constituting current.

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Q.6 Explain the term resistance. Give its SI unit of measurement. [SAI-2014]
Ans. The word resistance means resist or opposition that a conductor offers to the flow of charges through
it. When a potential difference is applied across the conductor, the free electrons get accelerated.
These moving electrons collide with other electrons and atoms due to which the electrons are slowed
down. In other words, the motion of the electrons is opposed. This opposition is called resistance of
the conductor. Resistance is measured in ohm ().

Q.7 On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend? [SAI-2014,2015]

Ans. The resistance (R) of a conductor depends upon :
(i) its length (L), where R  L
(ii) its cross-sectional area (A), where
1
R
A
(iii) resistivity () of its material, where R  .

Q.8 Draw a schematic diagram of a circuit consisting of a battery of three cells of 2 V each, a 5  resistor,
8  resistor and a 12  resistor and a plug key all connected in series. [SAl-2015]
Ans. The schematic diagram of the above mentioned circuit is given below :

Q.9 What are the conditions under which Ohm's law is not obeyed? [SAI-2015]
Ans. Ohm's law is not obeyed under the following conditions :
(i) Potential difference depends upon current non-linearly.
(ii) For the same value of V, I changes sign with V.
(iii) V and I have non-unique relation.
(iv) If temperature and pressure varies then ohm's law is not obeyed.

SECTION - F [ PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS, (3 MARKS) ]

Q.1 (a) State with the help of a circuit diagram an activity to find the resistance ‘R’ of a given wire.
(b) A current of 0.2 A passes through a resistor of 20 . Find the potential difference across its ends.
[SAI-2013]
Ans. (a) (i) A circuit is set-up using the wire of resistance R, an ammeter, a voltmeter and four
cells of 1.5 V each.
(ii) First one cell is used as source and the reading of ammeter and voltmeter is noted
down to find the current (I) and potential difference (V).

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(iii) The number of cells is increased one by one and the readings are noted down.

(iv) The average ratio of V to I gives the resistance R ' of the wire.
(b) Given, I = 0.2 A, R = 20 
V = I R = 0.2 × 20 = 4 V

Q.2 Find the equivalent resistance of the following circuit. [SAI-2012,2013]

2

3 1
2

3
1
+ –
V

Ans. Resistance of 2 each are connected in parallel. Let their combined resistance by R P1 .

1 1 1
So,   1
R P1 2 2

 R P1 = 1 

Also, resistance of 1 each are connected in parallel. Let their combined resistance be R P2 .

1
So R P2 = 1 + 1 = 2 

1
 R P2 = = 0.5 
2
Equivalent resistance (R) of the circuit is given by
R = 3 + R P1 + R P2 + 3 = 6 + 1 + 0.5 = 7.5 

Q.3 State the formula co-relating the electric current flowing in a conductor and the voltage applied across
it. Also, show this relationship by drawing a graph.
What would be the resistance of a conductor if the current flowing through it is 0.35 ampere when the
potential difference across it is 1.4 volt ? [SAI-2014]

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

Ans. It states that “Physical conditions remaining same then the current flowing through a conductor is
directly proportional to the potential applied across its two ends.”
The graph is as shown below :

Given, V = 1.4 V, I = 0.35 A. Now resistance is given by the expression

V 1 .4
R   4
I 0.35

Q.4 What is meant by ‘electrical resistance" of a conductor? State how resistance of a conductor is
affected when (i) a low current passes through it for a .short duration; (ii) a heavy current passes
through it for about 30 seconds. [SAl-2015]
Ans. It is the opposition offered to the flow of current by a conductor.
(i) No effect on resistance, low current, hence no appreciable rise in temperature, so no change
in resistance.
(ii) Heavy current for about 30 seconds may increase the temperature of the conductor
appreciably, so resistance will change/increase.

SECTION - G [ PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS, (5 MARKS) ]

Q.1 (a) What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is 1 volt ?
(b) Why does the connecting cord of an electrical heater not glow while the heating element does ?
(c) Electrical resistivities of some substances at 20° C are given below :

Silver 1.60  108 m

Copper 1.62  10 8 m
Tungsten 5.2  10 8 m
Iron 10.0  10 8 m
Mercury 94.0  10 8 m
Nichrome 100  10 6 m
Answer the following questions in relation to them :
(i) Among silver and copper which one is better conductor ? Why ?
(ii) Which material would you advise to use in electrical heating device ? Why ?
[SAI-2010, 2012, 2014]

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

Ans. (a) Potential difference between two points is said to be one volt when one joule of work is done
to move a charge of one coulomb between the two points.
(b) Heating element glows because its resistivity is much higher than the resistivity of the
connecting cord.
(c) (i) Silver is a better conductor because it has the less resistivity.
(ii) Nichrome, because its resistivity is much higher in comparison to the others.

Q.2 (a) Explain how does a cell maintain current in a circuit.

(b) In the circuit given below the resistance of the path xTy = 2 and that of xzy = 6.
(i) Find the equivalent resistance between x and y.
(ii) Find the current in the main circuit.
(iii) Calculate the current that flows through the path xTy and xzy. [SAI-20l4]

Ans. (a) The chemical action within a cell generates the potential difference across the terminals of the
cell. This potential difference sets and maintain current in the circuit.
(b) (i) Equivalent resistance,
1 1 1 3 1 4 2
Re = + = = =
2 6 6 6 3
or Re = 1.5 
(ii) Total resistance of the circuit
= Re + 1.5 
= 1.5  + 1.5  = 3
6V
 Current (I) = = 2A
3
(iii) Current flowing through path xTy (I1)
6
I1 =  2 = 1.5 A
62
Current flowing through path xZy (I2)
2
I2 =  2 = 0.5 A
62

Q.3 Draw a labelled circuit diagram showing three resistors R 1, R2 and R3 connected in series with a
battery (E), a rheostat (Rh), a plug key (K) and an ammeter (A) using standard circuit symbols. Use
this circuit to show that the same current flows through every part of the circuit. List two precautions
you would observe while performing the experiment. [SAl-2015]

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

Ans. The circuit diagram is as shown: Join three resistors of different values in series. Connect them with a
battery, an ammeter, a rheostat and a plug key, as shown in figure.

Plug the key. Note the ammeter reading. Change the position of ammeter to anywhere in between the
resistors. Note the ammeter reading each time. We observe that the value of the current in the ammeter
is the same, independent of its position in the electric circuit. It means that in a series combination of
resistors the current is the same in every part of the circuit or the same current series through each
resistor.
Precautions :
(i) The current should not be passed for a long time.
(ii) All the connections should be tight.

Q.4 (a) Derive the formula for the calculation of work done when current flows through a resistor.
(b) One electric bulb is rated 40 Wand 240 V and other 25 W and 240 V. Which bulb has higher
resistance and how many times ? [SAI-2015]
Ans. (a) Suppose a current I is sent through a conductor of resistance R for time t under a potential
difference of V volt as shown in figure. R
Then charge flowing through the conductor is Q = It
The work done in taking Q coulomb charge from one end of
the conductor to the other end at a potential difference V is
W = VQ
or W = VIt V
(b) P1 = 40 W, V1 = 240 V
+ –
V12 V12 240  240
P1 = or R1 = =
R1 P1 40
P2 = 25W, V2 = 240 V
V22 V22
P2 = or R2 =
R2 P2
240  240
25

240  240
R1 40 25 5 R1 5
 
So R 2 240  240 = 40  8  R2 8
25
8
25 W bulb has more resistance and R times.
5 1

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

SECTION-A
Direction for questions 1 to 5 : State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Conventional current always flows from a body having high charge density to a body having low
charge density.
2. At constant temperature, the resistance of a conductor changes according to the applied voltage.
3. In an electrolyte, the movement of ions is responsible for electric current.
4. Electric potential at a point in an electric field is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive
charge from infinity to that point.
5. Earthing of electric appliances prevents electric shock.

SECTION-B
Directions for question 1 to 6. Fill in the blanks.
1. Power transmission is carried out at high ___________ and low ___________.
2. Switch is always connected to the ___________ wire.
3. Rate at which electric work is done is called ______________.
4. The process of depositing a thin layer of desired metal over another metal by passing an electric
current through some electrolyte is called _______________.
5. Conductance is the reciprocal of ______________.
6. The amount of work done by the cell on a unit positive charge carrier to force it to go to the point of
higher potential is called _______________.

SECTION-C
Direction for question : Match the entries in the column A with appropriate ones from column B.

Q.1 Column I Column II

L
(A) Ohm (p)
A

1 volt
(B) Resistance (q) 1ampere
(C) Resistivity (r) zero resistance
(D) Super conductor (s) ohm–meter

Q.2 Column -A Column-B

(A) Electric potential a. Transistor
(B) Commercial unit of electrical energy b. ohm-meter
(C) Resistance c. E = E 1 + E2
(D) Superconductor d. Q = I2Rt
(E) 1 ohm e. Black
(F) Non-ohmic conductor f. V = W/Q
(G) Resistivity g. kW h

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CH-1 : ELECTRICITY PHYSICS / CLASS-X

L
(H) Cells connected in series h.
A
(I) Heat produced in a conductor i. zero resistance
(J) Neutral wire j. 1 volt/1 ampere

Q.3 Column II gives order of resistivity for materials in column I.

Column I Column II
(A) Semi–conductor (p) 3 × 103 -m
(B) Conductor (q) 10–8 -m
(C) Insulator (r) 1016 -m
(D) Super conductor (s) 1 -m

Multiple Matching Type Questions (One to Many) :

Direction for question : Match the entries in the column A with appropriate more then ones
from column B.
Q.4 Column I Column II
(A) Ohm's Law (p) Materialistic property
(B) Resistivity (q) Voltage  current
charge
(C) For Ohmic–conductor (r)
time
(D) Electric current (s) V = IR

Q.5 Column I Column II

0.5  0.5 

(A) (p) Req = 1 , I = 12 A

I
+ –
12V

2
2
(B) (q)  Length
I I
+ –
12V

(C) Resistance (r) Req = 1, I = 6A

3
3 1
(D) (s) 
3 Area
I I
+ –
6V

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Q.6 Column I Column II

(A) 1 Ohm (p) 1 Volt / 1 Amp
(B) Current (q) Depends on matter of conductor
charge
(C) Resistivity (r)
time
(D) Super conductor (s) Resistance = 0

Q.7 Column I Column II

(A) Ohm’s law (p) Nichrome wire
(B) Heating effect (q) Battery
(C) EMF (r) V = IR
(D) Terminal potential difference (s) Ohmic resistance
(t) v =  ± Ir
SECTION-D
Multiple choice question with one correct answers :
Q.1 A cylindrical rod is reformed to twice its length with no change in its volume. If the resistance of the
rod was R, the new resistance will be :
(A) R (B) 2 R (C) 4 R (D) 8 R

Q.2 A wire carries a steady current of 1.0 A over a period of 20s. What total charge passes through the
wire in this time interval :
(A) 200 C (B) 20 C (C) 2.0 C (D) 0.20 C

Q.3 The length of a wire is doubled and the radius is doubled. By what factor does the resistance change
:
(A) 4 times as large (B) twice as large (C) unchanged (D) half as large

Q.4 A 24 V potential difference is applied across a parallel combination of four 6 ohm resistor. The
current in each resistor is :
(A) 1 A (B) 4 A (C) 16 A (D) 36 A

Q.5 Three resistances of 2, 3 and 5  are connected in parallel to a 10 V battery of negligible internal
resistance. The potential difference across the 3  resistance will be :
(A) 2 V (B) 3 V (C) 5 V (D) 10 V

Q.6 You are given n identical wires, each of resistance R. When these are connected in parallel, the
equivalent resistance is X. When these will be connected in series, then the equivalent resistance will
be :
(A) X/n2 (B) n2X (C) X/n (D) nX

Q.7 Charge on an electron is 1.6 × 10–19 coulomb. Number of electrons passing through the wire per
second on flowing of 1 ampere current through the wire will be :
(A) 0.625 × 10–19 (B) 1.6 × 10–19 (C) 1.6 × 10–19 (D) 0.625 × 1019

Q.8 Three resistors of 4.0, 6.0 and 10.0 are connected in series. What is their equivalent
resistance :
(A) 20  (B) 5  (C) 6.0  (D) 4.0 

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Q.9 Ampere-second stands for the unit of :

(A) Power (B) Charge (C) e.m.f. (D) Energy

Q.10 Three resistors are connected to form the sides of a triangle ABC as shown below.

B 60  C

40  100 

The resistance of side AB is 40 ohms, of side BC 60 ohms and of side CA 100 ohms. The effective
resistance between A and B will be :
(A) 50 (B) 64 (C) 32 (D) 100

Q.11 If one micro-amp. current is flowing in a wire, the number of electrons which pass from one end of the
wire to the other end in one second is :
(A) 6.25 × 1012 (B) 6.25 × 1015 (C) 6.25 × 1018 (D) 6.25 × 1019

Q.12 If the temperature of a conductor is increased, its resistance will :

(A) Not increase (B) Increase
(C) Decrease (D) Change according to the whether

Q.13 There are two wires of the same length and of the same material and radius r and 2r. The ratio of their
specific resistance is :
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 1 : 1 (C) 1 : 4 (D) 4 : 1

Q.14 The resistance 4 R, 16 R, 64 R, ..........  are connected in series, their resultant will be :
(A) 0 (B)  (C) 43 R (D) 34 R

Q.15 Resistance R, 2 R, 4 R, 8 R, ..........  are connected in parallel. Their resultant resistance will be :
(A) R (B) R/2 (C) 0 (D) 

Q.16 The equivalent resistance between points X & Y :

X 30  10  Y
10  30  20 
30 

20  30 

(A) 5  (B) 10  (C) 15  (D) 60 

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Q.17 The equivalent resistance between points X & Y :

X 7 5 Y
2 6

(A) 4  (B) 4.5  (C) 2  (D) 20 

Q.18 A certain wire has a resistance R. The resistance of another wire identical with the first except having
twice its diameter is :
(A) 2 R (B) 0.25 R (C) 4 R (D) 0.5 R

Q.19 Masses of 3 wires of same metal are in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3 and their lengths are in the 3 : 2 : 1. The
electrical resistances are in ratio :
(A) 1 : 4 : 9 (B) 9 : 4 : 1 (C) 1 : 2 : 3 (D) 27 : 6 : 1

Q.20 A solenoid is at potential difference 60 V and current flows through it is 15 ampere, then the
resistance of coil will be :
(A) 4  (B) 8  (C) 0.25  (D) 2 

Q.21 In the circuit shown in the figure, the current through

3 2 2

8 8 4
9V
2 2 2

(A) The 3  resistor is 0.50 A (B) The 3  resistor is 0.25 A

(C) The 4  resistor is 0.50 A (D) The 4  resistor is 0.25 A

Q.22 Which of the following has a negative temperature coefficient?

(A) C (B) Fe (C) Mn (D) Ag

Q.23 Which two circuit components are connected in parallel in the following circuit diagram?

+ V –

Resistor
–
A
+
+ –
K

(A) Rheostat and voltmeter (B) Voltmeter and resistor

(C) Voltmeter and ammeter (D) Ammeter and resistor

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Q.24 To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in series, a student arranged
the circuit components as shown in the diagram. But he did not succeed to achieve the objective.

+ – + A –

+ V –

Which of the following mistakes has been committed by him in setting up the circuit?
(A) Position of ammeter is incorrect.
(B) Position of voltmeter is incorrect.
(C) Terminals of ammeter are wrongly connected.
(D) Terminals of voltmeter are wrongly connected.

Q.25 The following circuit diagram shows the experimental set-up for the study of dependence of current
on potential difference. Which two circuit components are connected in series?

+ V –

–
A
+
+ –
K

(A) Battery and voltmeter (B) Ammeter and voltmeter

(C) Ammeter and Rheostat (D) Resistor and voltmeter

Q.26 Which of the circuit components in the following circuit diagram and connected in parallel?

+
R2 V
–
– R1
A
+
+ –
K
(A) R1 and R2 only (B) R1, R2 and V (C) R2 and V only (D) R1 and V only

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SECTION-E
Multiple choice question with one or more than one correct answers :
Q.1 The terminal potential difference of a cell of EMF ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ is given by the formula
(A) V = E – Ir (B) V = E (C) V = 0 (D) V = E + Ir

Q.2 The voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing across it under constant
conditions of
(A) Pressure (B) Humidity (C) Temperature (D) Density

Q.3 Choose all correct alternatives

(A) 1 volt × 1 coulomb = 1 joule
(B) 1 volt × 1 ampere = 1 J/s
(C) 1 volt × 1 watt = 1 HP
(D) Watt-hour can be measured in terms of electron-volt

Q.4 A current passes through a wire of non-uniform cross-section. Which of the following quantities are
independent of the cross-section?
(A) The charge crossing in a given time interval
(B) Drift speed
(C) Current density
(D) Free-electron density

Q.5 Two conductors made of the same material have length L and 2L, but have equal resistances. The two
are connected in series in a circuit in which current is flowing. Which of the following is / are correct?
(A) The potential difference across the two conductors is the same.
(B) The electron drift velocity is larger in the conductor of length 2L.
(C) The electric field in the first conductor is twice than that in the second.
(D) The electric field in the second conductor is twice than that in the first.

Q.6 Electric current arises from the flow of charged particles.

Now :
(A) In metals it is dominant due to flow of electrons.
(B) In semiconductor it is jointly due to flow of holes and electrons.
(C) In electrolytes it is due to flow of negative ions only.
(D) In discharged tubes containing gases at low pressure it is due to flow of positive ions only.

Q.7 Electric current is due to flow of charge carriers in the conductor. Which of the following is / are
correct?
(A) The drift speed of charge carriers is a very small fraction of the mean thermal agitation speed of
the same charge carriers.
(B) The number of charge carriers per unit volume is always the same as the number of atoms of the
conductor per unit volume.
(C) The drift velocity is proportional to the electric field applied ordinarily.
(D) In an intrinsic semiconductor, the charge carriers are either electrons only or holes only; both of
them may not participate in conduction.

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Q.8 When some potential difference is maintained between A and B, current I enters the network at A and
leaves at B.
20  C 5

A B
5 20 
D
(A) The equivalent resistance between A and B is 8 .
(B) C and D are at the same potential.
(C) No current flows between C and D.
(D) Current (3l / 5) flows D to C.

Q.9 Three voltmeters, all having different resistances, are joined as shown in the figure. When some
potential difference is applied across A and B, their readings are V1, V2, V3 :

V1 V2

A B
V3

(A) V1 = V2 (B) V1  V2 (C) V1 + V2 = V3 (D) V1 + V2 > V3

Q.10 In the circuit, the battery is ideal. A voltmeter of resistance 600  is connected in turn across R1 and
R2, giving readings V1 and V2 respectively :

R1 = 600 
E= +
120 V –
R2 = 300 

(A) V1 = 80 V (B) V1 = 60 V (C) V2 = 30 V (S) V2 = 40 V

SECTION-F
Comprehension – 1
A battery of EMF 10 V having internal resistance of 2 is connected to an external resistance of 3.
The battery is first in charging mode and then in discharging mode.

1. The current flowing through the external resistance is :

(A) 1A (B) 3A (C) 2A (D) 10A

2. The terminal potential difference during discharging mode of battery :

(A) 6V (B) 2V (C) 1V (D) 10V

3. The terminal potential difference during the charging mode of battery :

(A) 5V (B) 10V (C) 14V (D) 9V

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Comprehension – 2
Answer the following questions based on the given circuit.

4 3
A 6 B

3V

Q.1 The potential drop across the 3  resistor is :

(A) 1 V (B) 1.5 V (C) 2 V (D) 3 V

Q.2 The equivalent resistance between points A and B is :

(A) 7  (B) 6  (C) 13  (D) 5 

Q.3 The current flowing through in the given circuit is :

(A) 0.5 A (B) 1.5 A (C) 6 A (D) 3 A

Comprehension – 3

A B
12  3.0  5.0  4.0 
I
12V

Q.1 The equivalent resistance between points A and B, is :

(A) 12  (B) 36  (C) 32  (D) 24 

Q.2 The current through each resistor is :

(A) 1 A (B) 2.3 A (C) 0.5 A (D) 0.75 A

Q.3 The potential drop across the 12  resistor is :

(A) 12 V (B) 6 V (C) 8 V (D) 0.5 V

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SECTION-G
Assertion & Reason
Instructions: In the following questions as Assertion (A) is given followed by a Reason (R). Mark your
responses from the following options.
(A) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of ‘Assertion’
(B) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is not the correct explanation of ‘Assertion’
(C) Assertion is true but Reason is false
(D) Assertion is false but Reason is true

Q.1 Assertion : Current is a vector quantity.

Reason : Current is charge flowing per unit time.

Q.2 Assertion : Current flows from positive to negative terminal of the battery.
Reason : This is the conventional direction of current.

Q.3 Assertion : The resistance of a conductor is proportional to the square of its length.

l
Reason : R   .
A

Q.4 Assertion : Resistivity changes when conductor is stretched or contracted.

Reason : Resitivity is a material property.

Q.5 Assertion : Kirchoff’s current law states that the net current at a junction is zero.
Reason : This law is based on the conservation of charge principle.

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ANSWER KEY
Try yourself :
1. Potential difference = 1 V & Current = 1/2 A. 2. 2 .

SECTION-A
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. True

SECTION-B
1. Voltage, current 2. Live 3. Electric power
4. Electroplating 5. Resistance 6. EMF

SECTION-C
Q.1 (A)-(q), (B)-(p), (C)-(s), (D)-(r)
Q.2 (A)-(f), (B)-(g), (C)-(h), (D)-(i), (E)-(j), (F)-(a), (G)-(b), (H)-(c), (I)-(d), (J)-(e)
Q.3 (A)-(p), (B)-(s), (C)-(r), (D)-(q)
Q.4 (A)-(q,s), (B)-(p), (C)-(q,s), (D)-(r)
Q.5 (A)-(p), (B)-(p), (C)-(q,s), (D)-(r)
Q.6 (A)-(p), (B)-(q,r), (C)-(q), (D)-(s)
Q.7 (A)-(r,s), (B)-(p), (C)-(q), (D)-(r,t)

SECTION-D
Q.1 C Q.2 B Q.3 D Q.4 B Q.5 D Q.6 B Q.7 D
Q.8 A Q.9 B Q.10 C Q.11 A Q.12 B Q.13 B Q.14 B
Q.15 B Q.16 C Q.17 B Q.18 B Q.19 D Q.20 A Q.21 D
Q.22 A Q.23 B Q.24 C Q.25 C Q.26 B

SECTION-E
Q.1 AD Q.2 AC Q.3 ABD Q.4 AD Q.5 AC Q.6 AD Q.7 AC
Q.8 ABD Q.9 BC Q.10 BC

SECTION-F
Comprehension – 1
Q.1 C Q.2 A Q.3 C

Comprehension – 2
Q.1 A Q.2 B Q.3 A

Comprehension – 3
Q.1 D Q.2 C Q.3 B

SECTION-G
Q.1 D Q.2 A Q.3 D Q.4 D Q.5 A
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