CHAPTER 3

CURRENT ELECTRICITY
1. Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other of manganin have the same resistance. Which
wire is thicker?
2. The plot of the variation of potential difference across a combination of three
identical cells in series, versus current is as shown in the figure. What is the emf and
internal resistance of each cell?
3. Two conducting wires X and Y of same diameter is connected across a battery. If the
number density of electrons in X is twice that in Y, find the ratio of drift velocity of
electrons in the two wires.
4. A resistance R is connected across a cell of emf ε and internal resistance r. The potential difference
between the terminals of the cell is V. Write the expression for ‘r’ in terms of ε, V
and R.
5. A wire of resistance 8R is bent in the form of a circle. What is the effective
resistance between the ends of diameter AB?
6. When electrons drift in a metal from lower to higher potential, does it mean that
all the free electrons of the metal are moving in the same direction?
7. Potential difference V is applied to conductor of length l and diameter d. How are the electric field E,
drift velocity vd and resistance R are affected when (i) V is doubled (ii) d is doubled and (iii) l is doubled.
8. A conductor of length l is connected to a DC source of potential V. If the length of the conductor is tripled
by stretching it keeping V constant, explain how do the following factors vary in the conductor.
(i) R (ii) vd (iii) resistivity
9. The current I flows through a wire of radius r and the free electrons drift with velocity vd. What is the drift
velocity of electrons through a wire of same material but having double the radius when a current of 2I
flows through it.
10. Write the nature of path of free electrons in a conductor (i)in the presence of electric field (ii)in the absence
of electric field.
11. What is the average velocity of a free electron in the presence of an electric field. Do all electrons have
same average velocity? How does this average velocity of free electrons in the presence of electric field
vary with temperature?
12. How does the current density in a conductor vary with (i)increase in potential gradient (ii)increase in
temperature (iii)increase in length (iv)increase in area of cross section. Assume that other factors remain
constant in each case.
13. Calculate the temperature at which the resistance of a conductor becomes 20% more than the resistance at
270C. The value of temperature coefficient of resistance is 2 x 10-4 K-1.
14. Graph shows the variation of terminal potential difference V across the
combination of three cells in series to a resistor, vs current I. (i) Calculate the
EMF of each cell (ii) For what current I, will the power dissipation of the
circuit be maximum?
15. Two metallic wires of the same material and same length but different cross-
sectional area are joined together (i) in series (ii) in parallel to the source of
EMF. In which of the two wires will the drift velocity of electrons be more in
each of the two cases and why?
16. Show on a graph the variation of resistivity with temperature for a typical semiconductor.
17. Show variation of resistivity of copper as a function of temperature in a graph.

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 18. Acel of emf 1.5V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is connected to a nonlinear conductor whose V – I graph
is as shown. Obtain graphically the current drawn from the cell and its terminal voltage.
19. A 10 V battery of negligible internal resistance is connected across a
200 V battery and a resistance of 38Ω as shown in the figure. Find the
value of the current in circuit.
20. The emf of a cell is always greater than its terminal voltage. Why? Give
reason.
21. Two identical cells, each of emf E, having negligible internal resistance, are connected in parallel with
each other across an external resistance R. What is the current through this resistance?
22. Two identical cells, each of emf E and internal resistance r are connected in parallel with each other across
an external resistance R. What is the current through this resistance?
23. Define the term ‘electrical conductivity’ of a metallic wire. Write its S.I. unit.
24. Define the term ‘drift velocity’ of charge carriers in a conductor and write its relationship with the current
flowing through it.
25. A steady current flow in a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross-section. Which of these quantities is
constant along the conductor: current, current density, electric field, drift speed?
26. Two bulbs are rated 220 V -100W and 220 V - 60 W. Which one of these has higher resistance and why?
27. Two wires A and B of the same metal and of the same length have their cross-sectional area in the ratio
2:1. If the same potential difference is applied across each wire in turn, what will be the ratio of the
current flowing in A and B?
28. Draw a graph to show the variation of resistance of a metal wire as a function of its diameter keeping
length and temperature constant.
29. A toaster produces more heat than a light bulb when connected in parallel to the 220 V mains. Which has a
greater resistance?
30. How does the random motion of free electrons in a conductor get affected when a potential difference is
applied across its ends?
31. Write the expression for the drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor of length L across which a
potential difference ‘V’ is applied.
32. How does one explain increase in resistivity of a metal with increase of temperature?
33. Graph showing the variation of current versus voltage for a material GaAs
is shown in the figure. Identify the region (i) of negative resistance (ii)
where Ohm’s law is obeyed.
34. Nichrome and copper wires of same length and same radius are connected
in series. Current I is passed through them. Which wire gets heated up
more? Justify your answer.
35. Derive an expression for the resistivity of a good conductor, in terms of the relaxation time of electrons.
36. A cell of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance r is connected across a variable resistor ‘R’. Plot a graph showing
the variation of terminal potential ‘V’ with resistance R.
Predict from the graph the condition under which ‘V’ becomes equal to ‘E’.
37. Define the conductivity of a conductor. Write its SI unit.
38. I – V graph for a metallic wire at two different temperatures, T1 and T2 is as
shown in the figure. Which of the two temperatures is lower and why?
39. Two metallic wires of the same material have the same length but cross-
sectional area is in the ratio 1 : 2. They are connected (i) in series and (ii) in
parallel. Compare the drift velocities of electrons in the two wires in both
the cases (i) and (ii).

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 40. Using the mathematical expression for the conductivity of a material, explain how it varies with
temperature for (i) semiconductors, (ii) good conductors.
41. Derive an expression for drift velocity of free electrons in a conductor in terms of relaxation time.
42. A wire of 15 Ω resistance is gradually stretched to double its original length. It is then cut into two equal
parts. These parts are then connected in parallel across a 3.0V battery. Find the current drawn from the
battery.
43. In the given circuit, assuming point A to be at zero potential, use
Kirchhoff’s rules to determine the potential at point B.
44. A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected to two external
resistances R1 and R2 and a perfect ammeter. The current in the circuit is
measured in four different situations:
(i) without any external resistance in the circuit
(ii) with resistance R2 only
(iii) with R1 and R2 in series combination
(iv) with R1 and R2 in parallel combination
The currents measured in the four cases are 0.42A, 1.05A, 1.4A and 4.2A, but not necessarily in that
order. Identify the currents corresponding to the four cases mentioned above.
45. A battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 3Ω is connected to a resistor. If the current in the circuit is
0.5 A, find (i) the resistance of the resistor; (ii) the terminal voltage of the battery.
46. Draw a graph showing variation of resistivity with temperature for nichrome. Which property of nichrome
is used to make standard resistance coils?
47. The network PQRS, shown in the circuit diagram, has the batteries of 4 V
and 5 V and negligible internal resistance. A milliammeter of 20 Ω
resistance is connected between P and R. Calculate the reading in the
milliammeter.
48. 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’
49. Write a relation between current and drift velocity of electrons in a conductor. Use this relation to explain
how the resistance of a conductor changes with the rise in temperature.
50. Define mobility of a charge carrier. Write the relation expressing mobility in terms of relaxation time.
Give its SI unit.
51. Use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine the value of the currents I1 and I2
flowing in the circuit shown in the figure.
52. A battery of emf E and internal resistance r when connected across an
external resistance of 12 Ω, produces a current of 0.5 A. When connected
across a resistance of 25 Ω, it produces a current of 0.25 A. Determine
(i) the emf and (ii) the internal resistance of the cell.
53. A uniform wire of resistance 12 Ω is cut into three pieces so that the ratio of
the resistances R1 : R2 : R3 = 1 : 2 : 3 and the three pieces are connected to form a
triangle across which a cell of emf 8V and internal resistance 1 Ω is connected as
shown. Calculate the current through each part of the circuit.
54. State Kirchhoff’s rules. Explain briefly how these rules are justified
55. A cell of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance r is connected across a variable resistor
‘R’. Plot a graph showing variation of terminal voltage ‘V’ of the cell versus the

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 current ‘I’. Using the plot, show how the emf of the cell and its internal resistance can be determined.
56. Estimate the average drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional area 1.0 ×
10 -7 m2 carrying a current of 1.5 A. Assume the density of conduction electrons to be 9 × 1028 m-3.
57. Draw a plot showing the variation of resistivity of a (i) conductor and (ii) semiconductor, with the
increase in temperature. How does one explain this behaviour in terms of number density of charge
carriers and the relaxation time?
58. Distinguish between emf (ε) and terminal voltage (V) of a cell having internal resistance r. Draw a plot
showing the variation of terminal voltage (V) vs the current (I) drawn from the cell. Using this plot, how
does one determine the internal resistance of the cell?
59. Use Kirchhoff’s rules to obtain conditions for the balance condition in a Wheatstone bridge.
60. The diagram shows a piece of pure semiconductor S in series with a suitable
resistor R and a source of constant voltage V. Would you increase or decrease
the value of R to keep the reading of ammeter A constant, when S is heated?
Explain.
61. Use Kirchhoff’s rules to determine the potential difference between the points A
and D when no current flows in the arm BE of the electric network shown in the
figure.
62. Using the concept of drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor, deduce the
relationship between current density and resistivity of the conductor.
63. Two cells of emfs 1.5 V and 2.0 V having internal resistance 0.2 Ω and 0.3 Ω
respectively are connected in parallel. Calculate the emf and internal resistance of the equivalent cell.
64. A battery of emf 12V and internal resistance 2 Ω is connected to a 4 Ω
resistor as shown in the figure. (a) Show that a voltmeter when placed across
the cell and across the resistor, in turn, gives the same reading.
(b) To record the voltage and the current in the circuit, why is voltmeter
placed in parallel and ammeter in series in the circuit?
65. A cell of emf 4 V and internal resistance 1 Ω is connected to a d.c. source of
10 V through a resistor of 5 Ω. Calculate the terminal voltage across the cell
during charging.
66. Define relaxation time of the free electrons drifting in a conductor. How is it related to the drift velocity
of free electrons? Use this relation to deduce the expression for the electrical resistivity of the material.
67. Prove that the current density of a metallic conductor is directly proportional to the drift speed of
electrons.
68. The figure shows a plot of terminal voltage ‘V’ versus the current ‘i’ of a given
cell. Calculate from the graph (a) emf of the cell and
(b) internal resistance of the cell.
69. A number of identical cells n, each of emf e, internal resistance r connected in
series are charged by a d.c. source of emf E 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.
70. Write any two factors on which internal resistance of a cell depends. The
reading on a high resistance voltmeter, when a cell is connected across it,
is 2.2 V. When the terminals of the cell are also connected to a resistance
of 5 Ω as shown in the circuit, the voltmeter reading drops to 1.8 V. Find
the internal resistance of the cell.

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 71. State Kirchhoff’s rules. Use these rules to write the expressions for the
current I1 I2 and I3 in the circuit diagram shown.
72. Define the terms (i) drift velocity, (ii) relaxation time.
A conductor of length L is connected to a dc source of emf e. If this
conductor is replaced by another conductor of same material and same
area of cross-section but of length 3L, how will the drift velocity change?
73. Derive the expression for the current density of a conductor in terms of the conductivity and applied
electric field. Explain, with reason how does the mobility of electrons in a conductor change when the
potential difference applied is doubled, keeping the temperature of the conductor constant.
74. State Kirchhoff’s rules. Apply Kirchhoff’s rales to the loops ACBPA and
ACBQA to write the expressions for the currents I1, I2 and I3 in the
network.
75. A cell of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance V is connected across a variable
load resistor R. Draw the plots of the terminal voltage V versus
(i) R and (ii) the current I.
It is found that when R = 4 Ω, the current is 1 A and when R is increased
to 9 Ω, the current reduces to 0.5 A. Find the values of the emf E and
internal resistance r.
76. Using Kirchoff’s rules determine the value of unknown resistance R in the
circuit so that no current flows through 4Ω resistance. Also find the
potential difference between A and D.
77. State the principle of working of a galvanometer.
A galvanometer of resistance G is converted into a voltmeter to measure up
to V volts by connecting a resistance R1 in series with the coil. If a resistance
R2 is connected in series with it, then it can measure up to V/2 volts. Find the resistance, in terms of
R1 and R2, required to be connected to convert it into a voltmeter that can
read up to 2V. Also find the resistance G of the galvanometer in terms of
R1 and R2.
78. Calculate the value of the resistance R in the circuit shown in the figure
so that the current in the circuit is 0.2 A. What would be the potential
difference between points B and E?
79. Define the current sensitivity of galvanometer. Write its S.I. unit.
Figure shows two circuits each having a galvanometer and a
battery of 3 V. When the galvanometers in each arrangement
do not show any deflection, obtain the ratio R1/R2.
80. A student connects a cell, of emf E2 and internal resistance
r2 with a cell of emf E1 and internal resistance r1, such that
their combination has a net internal resistance less than r1.
This combination is then connected across a resistance R.
Draw a diagram of the ‘set-up’ and obtain an expression for
the current flowing through the resistance R.
81. In the two electric circuits shown in the figure,
determine the reading of ideal ammeter (A) and the
ideal voltmeter (V).

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82. In the circuit shown in the figure, find the current through each resistor.

83. Figure shows a plot of current ‘I’ flowing through the cross-section 5 of a
wire versus the time ‘t’. Use the plot to find the charge flowing in 10s
through the wire.

84. State Kirchhoff’s rules for an electric network. Using Kirchhoff’s rules, obtain the balance condition in
terms of the resistances of four arms of Wheatstone bridge.
85. Why do the ‘free electrons’, in a metal wire, ‘flowing by themselves’, not cause any current flow in the
wire?
86. The reading of the (ideal) ammeter, in the circuit shown here,
equals: (i) I when key K1 is closed but key K2 is open.
(ii) I/2 when both keys K1 and K2 are closed.
Find the expression for the resistance of X in terms of the
resistances of R and S.
87. (a) The potential difference applied across a given resistor is
altered so that the heat produced per second increases by a factor of 9.
By what factor does the applied potential difference change?
(b) In the figure shown, an ammeter A and a resistor of 4Ω are
connected to the terminals of the source. The emf of the source is 12 V
having an internal resistance of 2 Ω. Calculate the voltmeter and
ammeter readings.
88. Obtain the condition under which the current flowing, in the ‘current
detecting device’, used in the circuit shown in the figure, becomes
zero.
89. (i) Derive an expression for drift velocity of electrons in a conductor.
Hence deduce Ohm’s law.
(ii) A wire whose cross-sectional area is increasing linearly from its one
end to the other, is connected across a battery of V volts. Which of the
following quantities remain constant in the wire?
(a) drift speed (b) current density (c) electric current (d) electric field Justify your answer.
90. Two identical storage batteries having emf E and internal resistance r are connected as
shown in figure. Determine the potential difference between the points A and B.
91. A number of identical cells, n, each of emf E and internal resistance r connected in
series are charged by a DC source of emf E’ using a resistance R.(i) Draw the
circuit arrangement (ii) Deduce expression for the charging current and the
potential difference across the combination of cells.
92. 12 cells each of emf 1.5V and internal resistance 0.5 ohm are connected in m
rows each containing n cells connected in series as shown. Calculate the value
of m and n for which the combination would send maximum current through
an external resistance of 1.5 ohm.

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