CLASS XII

CURRENT ELECTRICITY(UNIT : II)

ONE MARK QUESTIONS

1 The plot of the variation of potential difference across the combination of three 2016D
identical cells in series is shown in the figure: what is the emf and internal resistance
of each cell.

2 The variation of potential difference V with length l for two potentiometrs P and Q 2016E,
are as shown , which one of the two will you prefer to comparing emf of two 2006
primary cells and why?

3 Define the terms conductivity of a conductor?On what factors do it depend? 2016E

4 V – I graph for a metallic wire at two different temperatures T 1 and T2 is as shown in 2015
the figure. Which of the two temperatures is higher and why?

5 Two metallic resistors are connected first in series and then in parallel across a d.c. 2015
supply. Plot of I – V graph is shown for the two cases. Which one represents a
parallel combination of the resistors and why?
6 I – V graph for two identical conductors of different materials A and B is shown in 2015
the figure. Which one of the two has higher resistivity?

7 State the underlying principle of the potentiometer? 2014C

8 Two identical cells each of emf E having negligible internal resistance are connected 2013 AI
in parallel with each other across an external resistance R, what is the current
through this resistance?
9 A 10 V battery of negligible internal resistance is connected across a 200 V battery 2013
and a resistance as shown in the figure find the value of current in the circuit.

10 When electrons drift in a metal from lower to higher potential, does it mean that all 2012
the free electrons of the metal are moving in the same direction?
11 Show on a graph the variation of resistivity with temperature for a typical 2012
semiconductor? 2006

12 Two wires, one of copper and the other of manganin, have same resistance and 2012C
equal thickness. Which wire is longer ? Justify your answer 2009

13 A steady current flows in a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross-section. 2011

Which of these quantities is constant along the conductor:
Current, current density, drift speed, electric field?

14 Two conducting wires X and Y of same diameter but different materials are joined in 2010
series acrossa battery. If the number density of electrons in X is twice that in Y, find
the ratio of drift velocityof electrons in the two wires.
15 A wire of resistance 8 R is bent in the form of a circle. What is theEffective resistance 2010
between the ends of a diameter AB ?

16 Define the term ‘mobility’ of charge carriers. Write its S.I. unit. 2008

17 Distinguish between emf and terminal voltage of a cell. 2008

18 Show variation of resistivity of copper as a function of temperature in a graph. 2007

ANSWERS OF ONE MARK QUESTIONS

1 When I=0 emf of three identical cells in series is equal to 6V, hence E=2V,r=2Ω

2 As Potential Gradient k=V/l, Potentiometer Q will be preferred.

3 Conductivity is the reciprocal of resistivity,It depends upon no density of electrons
and Average relaxation time.
4 For metallic wire R=V/I increases with temperature, hence T 1 will be higher.
5 In parallel combination less resistance will be the equivalent resistance, therefore A
will represent parallel combination.
6 B will be of higher resistivity
7 The potential difference across any two points of uniform current carrying
conductor is directly proportional to the length of the conductor between those two
points.
8 I=E/R
9 I=200-10/38=190/38=5Amp.
10 No, Maximum no of electrons will drift opposite to the direction of higher potential
11

12 ρl ml
R= =
A n e2 τA
As R and A are constant, ρl is a constant, Manganin is an alloy of higher resistivity,
Copper wire will be longer.
13 Current and electric field will remain constant
Current density will change with non-uniform area of cross section
Drift velocity will change as area changes (I = n e A V d)

14 As (I = n e A V d),in series combination current remain same. In both X and Y,

n V d will be constant.
Therefore the ratio will be Vx/Vy=1/2
15 1 1 1
= + Effective resistance will be 2R.
R 4R 4R
16
V d eτ 2
μ= = , m C/sJ
E m

17 I. Emf is measured in open circuit ,p.d in closed circuit

II. Emf is slightly greater than p d while using.
18

TWO MARKS QUESTIONS

1 Two electric bulbs P and Q have their resistances in the ratio of 1: 2. They are 2018
connected in series across a battery. Find the ratio of the power dissipation in these 2008C
bulbs.
2 In a potentiometer arrangement for determining the internal resistance of a cell, the 2018
balance point of the cell in open circuit is 350 cm. When a resistance of 9 Ω is used in
the external circuit of the cell, the balance point shifts to 300 cm. Determine the
internal resistance of the cell.
3 Derive an expression for drift velocity of free electrons in a conductor in terms 2016
of relaxation time. 2014
2012
4 How does the drift velocity of free electrons in a metallic conductors change
with the rise in temperature. 2009
5 When 5V potential difference is applied across a wire of length 0.1m , the drift 2016N
speed of electrons is 2.5x10-4 m/s, if the electron density in the wire is 8X 1028
m-3 . calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.
6 Calculate the current drawn from the battery by the network of resistors shown in 2009,
figure 2015
7 Using the concept of drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor, deduce the 2009
relationship between current density and resistivity of the conductor.

8 A variable resistor R is connected across a cell of emf E and internal resistance r as 2011
shown in the figure. Draw a plot showing the variation of (i) terminal voltage V and 2009
(ii) the current I, as a function of R.

9 In the potentiometer circuit shown, the null point is at X. State with reason, where 2012
the balance point will be shifted when
(a) Resistance R is increased, keeping all other parameters unchanged;
(b) Resistance S is increased, keeping R constant.

10 Define the term ‘power loss’ in a conductor of resistance R carrying a current I. In 2011
what form does this power loss appear? Show that to minimize the power loss in the
transmission cables connecting the power stations to homes, it is necessary to have
the connecting wires carrying current at enormous high values of voltage.
11 A potentiometer wire of length 1m has a resistance of 10 Ω .it is connected to a 6V 2005
battery in series with a resistance of 5Ω . Determine the emf of the primary cell
which gives the balance point at 40 cm
12 A wire of 15 Ω resistances is gradually stretched to double its original length. It is 2009
then cut into two equal parts. These parts are then connected in parallel across a 3
00 volt battery. Find the current drawn from the battery.
Ans. I=3/15=0.2 amp
13 You are required to select a carbon resistor of resistance 47 k10% from a large 2012
collection. What should be the sequence of colour bands used to code it?

ANSWERS OF TWO MARKS QUESTIONS

1 P = V2/R hence the ratio will be 2:1

2 E
r =¿ ( −1¿ R
V
l1 350
r = ( −1 ¿ R=( - 1)9=1.5Ω
l2 300

3 eτ
I = n e A V d,V =- E
m
4 As the temperature of the conductor increases, average relaxation time will
decrease, drift velocity will also decrease, resistivity increases.

5 Resitivity=1.56x10-5Ωm

6 As the circuit is similar to a whaetstone bridge 5 Ω resistor can be removed ,then

R=2Ω
Hence i=2 amp.
7 I 1
j= = n e V d j =σ E = E
A ρ
8

9 a. Potential gradient will decrease ,hence shift towards B

b. No Change
10 P = VI =I2 R = V2/R
Power loss will be less.

11 E2=1.6V
12 I=3/15=0.2 amp
13 Ans. Violet, Yellow, Orange, Silver.

THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

1 A resistance R draws current from a potentiometer, the potentiometer AB, has a total 2017
resistance R, a voltage V is applied to the potentiometer.
Derive an expression for the voltage across R when the sliding contact is in the middle of
potentiometer wire.
2 Two identical cells of emf 1.5V each joined in parallel supply energy to an external circuit 2016N
consisting of two resistances of 7Ωeach joined in parallel. A very high resistance
voltmeter reads the terminal voltage of cells to be 1.4 V, calculate the internal resistance
of each cell.

3 With the help of the circuit diagram, explain the working Principle of meter bridge. How 2015
it is used to determine the unknown resistance of a given wire? Write the necessary
precautions to minimize the error in the result.
Write the characteristics of manganin which make it suitable for making standard
resistance.

4 Use Kirchhoff’s rules to obtain conditions for the balance condition in a Wheatstone 2015
bridge
5 A cell of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ is connected across a variable load resistor R. Draw the 2013
plots of the terminal voltage V versus (i) R and (ii) the current I.
It is found that when R = 4 , the current is 1 A and when R is increased to 9 , the current
reduces to 0.5 A. Find the values of the emf E and internal resistance r.
6 A potential difference V is applied across a conductor of length L and diameter D. How is 2015
the drift velocity, Vd, of charge carriers in the conductor affected when (i) V is halved, (ii)
L is doubled and (iii) D is halved? Justify your answer in each case.
7 Two wires X, Y have the same resistivity, but their cross-sectional areas are in the ratio 2011
2: 3 andlengths in the ratio 1: 2. They are first connected in series and then in parallel to a
d.c.source. Find out the ratio of the drift speeds of the electrons in the two wires for the
two cases.
8 In the circuit diagram shown, AB is a uniform wire of resistance 10Ω and length 1 m. It is
connected to a cell E1of emf 2 V and negligible internal resistance and a resistance R. The
balance point with another cell E2of emf 100 mV is found at 40 cm from end A. Calculate
the value of the resistance R.
9 A 16 Ω resistance wire is bent to form a square. A source of emf 9 V is connected across 2014
one of its sides as shown. Calculate the current drawn from the source. Find the potential
difference between the ends C and D.
If now the wire is stretched uniformly to double the length and once again the same cell
is connected in the same way, across one side of the square formed, what will now be
the potential difference across one of its diagonals?

10 Write two factors by which sensitivity of a potentiometer can be increased. 2007

Why is a potentiometer preferred over a voltmeter for measuring the emf of a cell?
11 State Kirchhoff’s rules. Use these rules to write the expressions for the currents I1, I 2 and 2010
I 3 inthe circuit diagram shown.

12 A number of identical cells, n, each of emfE, internal resistance r connected in series are 2007
charged by a d.c. source of emfE, using a resistor R.
 (i) Draw the circuit arrangement.
(ii) Deduce the expressions for
(a) The charging current and
(b) The potential difference across the combination of the cells.
13 A potentiometer wire of length 1 m is connected to a driver cell of emf 3 V as shown in 2011
the figure. When a cell of 15 V emfis used in the secondary circuit, the balance point is
found to be 60 cm. On replacing this cell and using a cell of unknown emf, the balance
point shifts to 80 cm.
(i) Calculate unknown emf of the cell.
(ii) Explain with reason, whether the circuit works, if the driver cell is replaced with a cell
of emf 1 V.
(iii) Does the high resistance R, used in the secondary circuit affect the balance point?
Justify your Answer.

14 In the meter bridge experiment, balance point was observed at J with AJ = l. 2011
(i) The values of R and X were doubled and then interchanged. What would be the new
position of balance point?
(ii) If the galvanometer and battery are interchanged at the balance position, how will the
balance point get affected?

ANSWERS OF THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

1 Vac=2VR/4R+Ro

2 Net emf=1.5 V, Net external resitance=3.5Ω,V=1.4V,I=1.4/3.5=0.4A

Solve with the equation V =E−IR, r=0.25 Ω
3

S= ( 100−l
l )
R

Precautions
The current should not flow for the long time
The balance point is to be taken at the middle of the bridge
No change of resistance with temperature
4

P R
Q S

5 E=1(4+r)=0.5(9+r), Solving r=1Ω,E=5V

6 I. Drift velocity halved
II. Drift velocity halved
III. Drift velocity halved

7 In series 3:2, In parallel 2:1

8 K=40/100=0.25V/m

Balancing length=0.12 m
9

10 By increasing the length of the potentiometer wire, decreasing the emf of the driver cell.
It does not draw any current since it uses the null deflection method.
11 I1=2/13A, I 2=7/13A and I 3 =9/13A(solve using Kirchoff’s law)
12 Refer NCERT text book
13 I. .2.0V
II. Do not work
III. No it does not effect the null point
14 l’=100-l, No effect

FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

1 A cell of emfE and internal resistance r is connected to two external resistances R1 and R2 2017
and a perfect ammeter. The current in the circuit is measured in four different situations: 2012
(i) without any external resistance in the circuit.
(ii) with resistance R1 only
(iii) with R1 and R2 in series combination
(iv) withR1 and R2 in parallel combination.
The currents measured in the four cases are 0.42 A, 1.05 A, 1.4 A and 4.2 A, but not
necessarily in that order. Identify the currents corresponding to the four cases mentioned
above.
2 Find the magnitude and direction of current in 1Ωresistor in the given circuit 2016

Two students X and Y perform an experiment on potentiometer separately using the

circuit diagram shown below

Keeping other things unchanged

a) X increases the value of resistance R,
b) Decreases the value of resistance S in the set up .
How will these changes affect the position of null point in each case and why?
3 Use Kirchhoff’s rules , calculate the current in the arm AC of the given circuit 2016
On what principle does the meter bridge work? Why are the metal strips used in the 2011
bridge? 2009

4 2015
2012

a) In the figure a long uniform potentiometer wire AB is having a constant potential

gradient along its length. The null points for the two primary cells of emfs E1and
E2 connected in the manner shown are obtained at a distance of 120 cm and 300
cm from the end A.
Find E1 / E2 and position ofnull point for the cell E1.
b) How is the sensitivity of a potentiometer increased?
5 a. Draw a circuit diagram of a potentiometer .State its working principle. Derive the 2009
necessary formula to describe how it is used to compare the emfs of the two cells.
b. Write two possible causes for one sided deflection in a potentiometer experiment.

ANSWERS OF FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

1 4.2 A, 1.05 A, 0.42 A, 1.4 A respectively

2 I=132/23 A
I. Null point will shift towards B
II. No change in the null point
3 I1 = -12/13 A
I2 = -8/13 A
I1+ I2 = -8/13 + -12/13=-20/13A
4 a. 7/3,
b. 210cm
5 E1 l1
E2
= l2
(derive it)

a. The emf of the driver cell may be less than the secondary cell
b. Very high resistance connected in series with the drver cell circuit