Class 12 Physics 2024-25 Notes Chapter - 3 Current Electricity
Class 12 Physics 2024-25 Notes Chapter - 3 Current Electricity
Resource Material
For Session 2024-25
Best Notes
CBSE
CLASS 12 Physics
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Introduction:
In this chapter we will study some basic laws concerning steady electric current and
their applications.
Electric Current:
The rate of flow of electric charge through any cross-section of a conductor is known
as electric current. If ΔQ amount of charge flows through any cross-section of
conductor in the interval t to (t + Δt), then it is defined as
∆Q
i=
∆t
Direction of current is taken as direction of motion of positively charged particles and
opposite to the direction of negatively charged particles. SI unit of current is ampere
(A). It is a scalar quantity.
∆i
⃗j =
∆A
The SI unit of current density is A/m2.
Drift Speed:
Drift Velocity is defined as the average velocity with which the free electrons move
towards the positive end of a conductor under the influence of an external electric
field applied. It is denoted by vd.
(1)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
eE
vd =
m
N = (nAvd t)
So, moving charge in t second Q = (nAvdt).e
Q
Hence, electric current in t second =
t
nAvd te
i=
t
i = neAvd
i
We know J =
A
⃗j = nevd
Ohm’s Law:
According to this law, "At constant temperature, the potential difference V across the
(2)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
V∝i
V = i.R
where, R = resistance of conductor
Mobility:
Mobility is defined as the magnitude of the drift velocity per unit electric field. It is
denoted by μ,
vd
μ=
E
Its SI unit is m2V-1s-1.
Resistance:
Resistance is the ratio of potential difference applied across the ends of conductor to
the current flowing through it.
V
R=
i
The SI unit of R is ohm (Ω).
Resistivity:
E
ρ = … (1)
J
If the length of conductor be 'l', cross sectional area be 'A', potential difference at the
end of conductor be 'V' and electric current be 'i', then ⃗E⃗ and ⃗j given by.
V
⃗E⃗ = … (2)
l
i
⃗j = … (3)
A
Putting the value of E and J, from equation (2) and (3) into (1), we get.
(3)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
V
ρ= l
i
A
V A
ρ= .
i l
A
ρ=R
l
The constant of proportionality ρ depends on the material of the conductor but not on
its dimensions. ρ is known as resistivity or specific resistance.
Conductivity:
Conductivity is defined as the reciprocal of resistivity of a conductor. It is expressed as,
1
σ=
ρ
SI unit is mho per meter (Ω-1 m-1).
Superconductivity:
The resistivity of certain metal or alloy drops to zero when they are cooled below a
certain temperature is called superconductivity.
Electrical Energy:
When electric current is moved in any electric circuit, then energy of work done by
taking a charge from one point to another point is called electric energy.
If a charge q at potential difference V is moved from one point to another point, then
doing work will be.
W = V. q ….. (1)
W = Vit
W = i2Rt
(4)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
V2
W= t
R
Power: Electric power is the rate of doing work by electric charge. It is measured in
watt and represented by P.
W
P= [∵ 1HP = 746 watt]
t
V2
Hence, P = Vi = i2R =
R
A carbon resistor has a set of coaxial colored rings in them, whose significance are
listed in above table. First two bands formed: First two significant figures of the
resistance in ohm. Third band; Decimal multiplier as shown in table. Last band;
Tolerance or possible variation in percentage as per the indicated value. For Gold ±
5%, for silver ± 10% and No color ± 20%.
(5)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
Combination of Resistors:
There are two types of resistance combinations.
Series Combination:
R = R1 + R 2 + R3
NOTE: The total resistance in the series combination is more than the greatest
resistance in the circuit.
Parallel Combination:
(6)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
In Parallel combination, first end of all the resistances are connected to one point and
last end of all the resistances are connected to other point. Equivalent resistance can
be obtained by the formula.
1 1 1 1
= + +
R R1 R 2 R 3
NOTE: The total resistance in parallel combination is less than the least resistance of
the circuit.
Electrodes exchange charges with the electrolyte. Positive electrode P has a potential
difference V+ between itself and electrolyte solution A immediately adjacent to it.
Negative electrode N has a potential difference (V–) relative to electrolyte B adjacent
(7)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
to it.
ε = V+ − V−
EMF: It is the difference of chemical potentials of electrodes used. It is also defined as
the difference of potential across the electrodes of cell, when the electrodes are in
open loop.
ε = V+ − V−
Internal Resistance: It is the opposition offered by the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of
current through itself. It is represented by r and given by.
v
r=
i
Kirchhoff’s Laws:
Kirchhoff’s two rules are used for analyzing electric circuits consisting of a number of
resistors and cells interconnected in a complicated way.
At any junction, the sum of the currents entering the junction is equal to the sum of
currents leaving the junction.
Σi=0
The algebraic sum of changes in potential around any closed loop involving resistors
and cells in the loop is zero.
Σ iR = ΣE
Wheatstone Bridge:
It is an application of Kirchhoff’s rules. The bridge is consisting of four resistances R 1,
R2, R3 and R4 as four sides of a square ABCD as shown in figure.
Across the diagonally opposite points between A and C, battery E is connected. This is
(9)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
Currents through all resistances and galvanometer are as shown in figure. In balanced
Wheatstone bridge we consider the special case Ig = 0. Applying junction rule to
junction B and D, we have
I2 = I4 and I1 = I3
I2R2 + 0 - I1R1 = 0
I1 R2
= ….. (i)
I2 R1
I4R4 - I3R3 + 0 = 0
The equation (iii) relating the four resistor is called the balance condition for the
galvanometer to give zero or null deflection.
Potentiometer:
It is a versatile instrument consisting of a long piece of uniform wire AC across which a
standard cell B is connected.
(10)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
(11)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
Important Questions
Multiple Choice questions-
1. An electric heater is connected to the voltage supply. After few seconds, current
gets its steady value then its initial current will be
(a) equal to its steady current
(b) slightly higher than its steady current
(c) slightly less than its steady current
(d) zero
2. In the series combination of two or more than two resistances
(a) the current through each resistance is same.
(b) the voltage through each resistance is same.
(c) neither current nor voltage through each resistance is same.
(d) both current and voltage through each resistance are same.
3. Combine three resistors 5 Q, 4.5 Q and 3 Q in such a way that the total resistance
of this combination is maximum
(a) 12.5 Q
(b) 13.5 Q
(c) 14.5 Q
(d) 16.5 Q
4. A cell having an emf E and internal resistance r is connected across a variable
external resistance R. As the resistance R is increased, the plot of potential
difference V across R is given by
(12)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
(a) towards B
(b) towards A
(c) remains constant
(d) first towards B then back towards A.
Very Short:
(13)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
1. A wire or resistivity ρ is stretched to double its length. What will be its new
resistivity?
2. What is the effect of temperature on the relaxation time of electrons in a metal?
3. Which physical quantity does the voltage versus current graph for a metallic
conductor depict? Give its SI unit.
4. Define drift velocity of electrons.
5. A resistance R is connected across a cell of emf ε and internal resistance r. A
potentiometer now measures the potential difference between the terminals, of
the cell as V., Write the expression for ‘r’ in terms of ε, V and R. (CBSE Delhi 2011)
6. How is the drift velocity in a conductor affected by the rise in temperature?
(CBSE Delhi 2019)
7. Two students A and B were asked to pick a resistor of 15 kΩ from a collection of
carbon resistors. A picked a resistor with bands of colours brown, green, orange,
while B chose a resistor with bands of black, green, red. Who picked the correct
resistor? (CBSE AI 2013C)
8. Define the term ‘Mobility’ of charge carriers in a conductor. Write its S.l. unit.
(CBSE Delhi 2014, AI 2015)
9. How does the mobility of electrons in a conductor change, if the potential
difference applied across the conductor is doubled, keeping the length and
temperature of the conductor constant? (CBSE Delhi 2019)
10. Graph showing the variation of current versus voltage for a material GaAs is
shown in the figure. Identify the region of
(i) negative resistance (ii) where Ohm’s
Short Questions:
1. Find the potential energy of this system. (CBSEAI, Delhi 2018)
2. The figure shows the V – l graph for a parallel and series combination of two
resistors A and B. Which line represents the parallel combination?
(14)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
5. The emf of a cell is always greater than its terminal voltage. Why? Give reason.
(CBSE Delhi 2013)
6. Draw a graph showing the variation of resistivity with temperature for
nichrome. Which property of nichrome is used to make standard resistance coils?
(CBSEAI 2013C)
7. Define the term ‘mobility’ for a charge carrier and state its SI unit.
Name the mobile charge carriers in
(i) an electrolyte,
(ii) a semiconductor and
(iii) an ionised gas. (CBSE Al 2015)
(15)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
8. Define the term current density of a metallic conductor. Deduce the relation
connecting current density (J) and the conductivity (a) of the conductor, when an
electric field E is applied to it. (CBSE AI 2015).
Long Questions:
1. Explain the term ‘drift velocity’ of electrons in a conductor. Hence obtain the
expression for the current through a conductor in terms of ‘drift velocity’. (CBSE AI
2013, 2013C)
2. Draw a plot showing the variation of resistivity of an (i) conductor and (ii)
semiconductor, with the increase in temperature.
How does one explain this behaviour in terms of the number density of charge
carriers and the relaxation time? (CBSE Delhi 2014C)
Assertion and Reason Questions-
1. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c)
and (d) as given below.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, and R is also false.
Assertion: The current in a wire is due to flow of free electrons in a definite direction.
Reason: A current carrying wire should have non-zero charge.
2. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c)
and (d) as given below.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, and R is also false.
Assertion: Though the same current flows through the live wires and the filament of
the bulb but heat produced in the filament is much higher than that in live wires.
Reason: The filament of bulbs is made of a material of high resistance and high
melting point.
Case Study Questions-
(16)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
(18)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
the balancing length is 4m. The ratio of thee. m. f. of two cells ( EE )is:
1
2
a) 1 : 2
b) 2 : 1
c) 1 : 3
d) 3 : 1
✓ Answer Key:
Multiple Choice Answers-
1. Answer: b
2. Answer: a
(19)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
3. Answer: a
4. Answer: b
5. Answer: b
6. Answer: a
7. Answer: b
8. Answer: a
9. Answer: d
10. Answer: a
Very Short Answers:
1. Answer: The resistivity remains the same as it does not depend upon the length
of the wire.
2. Answer: The relaxation time of electrons decreases with the rise in
temperature of the metal.
3. Answer: It represents resistance. It is measured in ohm.
4. Answer: The mean velocity acquired by electrons in a conductor when an
external electric field is applied to it.
5. Answer:
6. Answer: It decreases.
7. Answer: A
8. Answer: Mobility of charge carriers in a conductor is defined as the magnitude
of their drift velocity per unit applied electric field. Its SI unit is m2 V-1 s-1.
9. Answer: No change.
10. Answer: (i) DE (ii) AB
Short Questions Answers:
1. Answer: The potentiometer is based on the null method, or it does not draw
any (net) current from the cell and measures emf However, the voltmeter
draws some current from the cell when connected across it, hence measures
terminal voltage.
2. Answer: For the same potential, the current is less in series combination than
parallel combination. Therefore, from the graph, it is apparent that the same
potential current is less in A. Therefore, B represents the parallel combination.
(20)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
As R1 and R2 remain the same, x will also remain the same. It does not depend
upon the diameter of the wire.
5. Answer: When current passes through a cell, there is a drop in potential across
it due to its internal resistance. This is called the lost volt. Thus, terminal
voltage is less than the emf of the cell.
6. Answer: The graph is as shown.
(21)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
(22)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
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(23)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
03
The bulbs are joined in series. Current in both the bulbs will same.
∴∴ The heat produced in them is given by H= I 2Rt
Therefore the bulb with low wattage or high resistance will glow brighter or we
can say the 25W bulb will glow brighter than the 100W bulb.
(iv) (d) 30kJ
Explanation:
Potential gradient,
= 10-3Vm-1
(iii) (a) Decreasing potential gradient along the wire.
(iv) (b) A condition of no current flow through the galvanometer.
Explanation:
A potentiometer is an accurate and versatile device to make electrical
measurements of EMF because the method involves a condition of no current
flow through the galvanometer. It can be used to measure potential difference,
internal resistance of a cell and compare EMF's of two sources.
(v) (d) 3 : 1
Explanation:
(25)
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