M.E.

S INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA -QATAR

Notes 2022- 2023

Section : Boys/Girls Date : 04/10/2022

Class &Div : X(All Divisions) Subject : Physics
Lesson /Topic: Electricity
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15. On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend ?

Ans: The resistance of a conductor depends upon the following factors :

a) Length of the conductor

b) Cross-sectional area of the conductor
c) Material of the conductor
d) Temperature of the conductor
16. (a) What is meant by resistivity of a material?

(b) Derive the S.I unit of resistivity.

Ans: a) The resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to its length.

R ∝l

The resistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section.

1
R∝
𝐴

𝑙
Combining the above we get, R ∝
𝐴

𝑙
R=𝜌 where 𝜌(rho) is a constant of proportionality which is
𝐴
called the resistivity or specific resistance of the material.

If l = 1m , A = 1m2 then R = 𝜌

Resistivity of a material is the resistance of a unit length of the material having unit area of
cross-section.

𝑙
b) R=𝜌
𝐴

𝑅𝐴
𝜌=
𝑙
F 061, Rev 01, dtd10th March 2020
 Ω𝑚²
S.I unit of resistivity 𝜌 = = Ωm
𝑚

[Link] between the terms resistance and resistivity.

Ans: The resistance of a conductor is the property by which it opposes the flow of current through
[Link] resistance of a conductor changes with change in length or area of cross-section. S.I unit is
ohm(Ω)

Resistivity is defined as the resistance offered by a cube of a material of side 1 m. Resistivity of a

material remains constant at a particular temperature. S.I unit is ohm metre (Ωm)

17. Calculate the resistance of a 1 m long wire of diameter 0.3 mm. The resistivity of the material
is 1.84 x 10ˉ⁶ Ωm. If a potential difference of 10V is applied across this wire , what will be the
current in the wire?

𝑙
Ans: Resistance R=𝜌
𝐴

R= 1.84 x 10ˉ⁶ x 1m / 3.14 x (.15 x 10ˉ³)²

=26Ω | 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2

𝑉
Current , I =
𝑅

I = 10V / 26Ω

I =0.38A

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

𝑙
Ans: Resistance R = 𝜌
𝐴

Resistance is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section of the wire. Thicker the wire ,
lower is the resistance of the wire and vice-versa. Therefore , current can flow more easily through a
thick wire than a thin wire .

19. Let the resistance of an electrical component remains constant while the potential difference
across the two ends of the component decreases to half of its former value . What changes will
occur in the current through it ?

Ans: V = IR V𝛼I Ohm’s law.

F 061, Rev 01, dtd10th March 2020

The potential difference is reduced to half, keeping the resistance constant. Therefore , the current
flowing through it is reduced to half .

[Link] are coils of electric toasters and electric irons made of an alloy rather than a pure

metal ?

Ans: The resistivity of an alloy is higher than the pure metal. Moreover, at high temperatures, the
alloys do not melt readily. Hence , the coils of heating appliances such as electric toasters and electric
irons are made of an alloy rather than a pure metal .

21. (a) Which among iron and mercury is a better conductor ?

(b) Which material is the best conductor ?

Ans: (a) Resistivity of iron = 10.0 x 10-8 Ωm

Resistivity of mercury = 94.0 x 10-8 Ωm

Resistivity of mercury is more than that of iron . This implies that iron is a better conductor than
mercury .

(b) The resistivity of silver is the lowest( 1.6x 10-8 Ωm ). Hence , it is the best conductor .

22.A copper wire of resistivity 𝝆 is stretched to reduce its diameter to half of its value.

What will be its new resistivity ?

Ans: The resistivity 𝜌 remains the same .

23. Is the resistivity of an alloy lower or higher than that of its constituent metals ?

Ans : The resistivity of an alloy is generally higher than that of pure metals which form the alloy.

24. Which metal is used almost exclusively for filaments of electric bulbs ?

Ans: Tungsten

25. Derive an expression for the equivalent resistance of three resistances connected in series.

Ans: Consider three resistors R1 , R2 and R3 connected in series. Suppose a current I flows through the
circuit when a battery of voltage V is connected across the combination.

F 061, Rev 01, dtd10th March 2020

By Ohm’s law , the potential difference across the three resistances will be

V1 = IR1 V2 = IR2 V3 = IR3

If Rs be the equivalent resistance of the series combination , then on applying a potential difference V
across it , the same current I must flow through it . Therefore ,

V = IRs

V = V1 + V2 + V3

IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3

Equivalent resistance = sum of the individual resistances

26. Derive an expression for the equivalent resistance of three resistances connected in parallel.

Ans: Consider three resistors R1 , R2 and R3 connected in parallel .Suppose a current I flows through
the circuit when a battery of voltage V is connected across the combination. The current I at point X is
divided as I1, I2 and I3 which flows through resistors R1 , R2 and R3.

F 061, Rev 01, dtd10th March 2020

By Ohm’s law, the current through each resistor is

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
I1 = I2 = I3 =
𝑅₁ 𝑅₂ 𝑅₃

Let Rp be the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination. As all the resistors are connected
between the same points X and Y , so voltage across each of them is same. By ohm’s law ,

Reciprocal of equivalent resistance = sum of reciprocals of individual resistances.

F 061, Rev 01, dtd10th March 2020