Understanding Electricity Concepts
Understanding Electricity Concepts
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Chapter : 11 ; Electricity
Introduction:
➢ In this chapter we will explores the nature of electricity, factors governing its flow, and
electric circuit principles.
➢ Topics covered include the heating effects of electric current and its practical
applications.
➢ The chapter delves into the atomic structure concerning electric current.
Atomic Structure:
➢ Examples of conductors include copper, iron, and steel, while glass, dry wood, and cotton
are insulators.
➢ Electric potential at a point is the work done in moving a unit positive charge from
infinity to that point.
➢ Electrons move when there's a potential difference; one volt equals one joule per
coulomb.
𝑄
Electric current is the flow of electric charges and is expressed as I = 𝑡 .
➢ Battery and Its Working: A cell generates potential difference through internal chemical
reactions.
Electric Circuit:
➢ Ohm’s Law states that current in an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the
applied potential difference.
➢ Factors affecting resistance include length, nature, temperature, and cross-sectional area.
Resistivity:
Superconductors:
Superconductors have zero resistance to current flow and include materials like aluminum and
niobium.
Combustion of Resistors:
➢ Joule’s Law: Heat is proportional to the square of current, resistance, and time.
➢ Electric power is the rate of doing work or consuming electrical energy, measured in
watts (W).
➢ One kilowatt-hour (kWh) equals 3.6 × 106 joules and is the commercial unit of electrical
energy.
NCERT QUESTIONS
Q1. 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
ANSWER: d) 25
Explanation:
When a wire is cut into five equal parts and these parts are connected in parallel, the equivalent
resistance (R') of this combination can be calculated using the formula for resistors in parallel.
The formula for the equivalent resistance (R') of 'n' resistors in parallel is:
1 1 1 1 1
′
= ( ) + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯+ ( )
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅𝑛
In this case, there are five equal parts, so each part has a resistance of 1/5th of the original
resistance (R):
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
𝑅1 = 𝑅2 = 𝑅3 = 𝑅4 = 𝑅5 =
5 5 5 5 5
Now, plug these values into the formula for resistors in parallel:
1 1 1 1 1 1
= ( ) + ( ) + ( ) + ( ) + ( )
𝑅′ 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
5 5 5 5 5
Now, simplify:
1 1
= 5( )
𝑅 ′ 𝑅
5
1 5
′
= 𝑅( )
𝑅 𝑅
1 25
′
=
𝑅 𝑅
Now, take the reciprocal of both sides to find R':
𝑅
𝑅′ =
25
Now, you want to find the ratio R/R':
𝑅 𝑅
=
𝑅′ 𝑅
25
𝑅 25
′
= 𝑅( )
𝑅 𝑅
𝑅
= 25
𝑅′
𝑅
So, the ratio 𝑅′ is 25.
Q2. Which of the following does not represent electrical power in a circuit?
(a) I2R
(b) IR2
(c) VI
𝑽𝟐
(d) 𝐑
ANSWER: b) IR2
Explanation:
V = IR
P = (IR) × I
P = I2R
From this, it is clear that the equation IR2 does not represent electrical power in a circuit.
Q3. An electric bulb is rated 220 V and 100 W. When it is operated on 110 V, the power
consumed will be _____.
(a) 100 W
(b) 75 W
(c) 50 W
(d) 25 W
ANSWER: 25 W
Explanation:
Even if the supply voltage is reduced, the resistance remains the same. Hence, the power
consumed can be calculated as follows:
𝑉2
P= R
Therefore, the power consumed when the electric bulb operates at 110 V is 25 W.
Q4. Two conducting wires of the same material and of equal lengths and equal diameters
are first connected in series and then parallel in a circuit across the same potential
difference. The ratio of heat produced in series and parallel combinations would be _____.
(a) 1:2
(b) 2:1
(c) 1:4
(d) 4:1
ANSWER:
Let Rs and Rp be the equivalent resistance of the wires when connected in series and parallel
respectively.
For the same potential difference V, the ratio of the heat produced in the circuit is given by
Q5. How is a voltmeter connected in the circuit to measure the potential difference between
two points?
ANSWER:
To measure the voltage between any two points, the voltmeter should be connected in parallel
between the two points.
Q6. A copper wire has diameter 0.5 mm and resistivity of 1.6 × 10–8 Ω m. What will be the
length of this wire to make its resistance 10 Ω? How much does the resistance change if the
diameter is doubled?
Solution:
The resistance of the copper wire of length in meters and area of cross-section m2 is given by the
formula
The length of the wire is 122.72 m and the new resistance is 2.5 Ω.
Q7. The values of current I flowing in a given resistor for the corresponding values of
potential difference V across the resistor are given below –
Plot a graph between V and I and calculate the resistance of that resistor.
ANSWER:
The plot between voltage and current is known as IV characteristic. The current is plotted in the
y-axis while the voltage is plotted in the x-axis. The different values of current for different
values of voltage are given in the table. The I V characteristics for the given resistor is shown
below.
To calculate R,
R = 6.8/2 = 3.4 Ω
Q8. 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
ANSWER:
The value of the resistor can be calculated using Ohm’s Law as follows:
Q9. A battery of 9 V is connected in series with resistors of 0.2 Ω, 0.3 Ω, 0.4 Ω, 0.5 Ω and 12
Ω, respectively. How much current would flow through the 12 Ω resistor?
ANSWER:
In series connection, there is no division of current. The current flowing across all the resistors is
the same.
To calculate the amount of current flowing across the resistors, we use Ohm’s law.
Q10. How many 176 Ω resistors (in parallel) are required to carry 5 A on a 220 V line?
ANSWER:
Q11. Show how you would connect three resistors, each of resistance 6 Ω, so that the
combination has a resistance of (i) 9 Ω, (ii) 4 Ω.
ANSWER:
If we connect all the three resistors in series, their equivalent resistor would 6 Ω + 6 Ω + 6 Ω =18
Ω, which is not the desired value. Similarly, if we connect all the three resistors in parallel, their
equivalent resistor would be
We can obtain the desired value by connecting any two of the resistors in either series or parallel.
Case (i)
The third resistor is in series, hence the equivalent resistance is calculated as follows:R = 6 Ω + 3
Ω=9Ω
Case (ii)
When two resistors are connected in series, their equivalent resistance is given by
R = 6 Ω + 6 Ω = 12 Ω
The third resistor is connected in parallel with 12 Ω. Hence the equivalent resistance is
calculated as follows:
Q12. 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?
ANSWER:
P1 = V2/R1
R1 = V2/P1
Q13. A hot plate of an electric oven connected to a 220 V line has two resistance coils A and
B, each of 24 Ω resistance, which may be used separately, in series, or in parallel. What are
the currents in the three cases?
ANSWER:
Using Ohm’s law, we can find the current flowing through each coil as follows:
9.166 A of current flows through each resistor when they are used separately.
When the coils are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is calculated as follows:
Q14. Compare the power used in the 2 Ω resistor in each of the following circuits: (i) a 6 V
battery in series with 1 Ω and 2 Ω resistors, and (ii) a 4 V battery in parallel with 12 Ω and
2 Ω resistors.
ANSWER:
(i) The potential difference is 6 V and the resistors 1 Ω and 2 Ω are connected in series, hence
their equivalent resistance is given by 1 Ω + 2 Ω = 3 Ω. The current in the circuit can be
calculated using the Ohm’s law as follows:
(ii) When 12 Ω and 2 Ω resistors are connected in parallel, the voltage across the resistors
remains the same. Knowing that the voltage across 2 Ω resistor is 4 V, we can calculate the
power consumed by the resistor as follows:
Q15. Two lamps, one rated 100 W at 220 V, and the other 60 W at 220 V, are connected in
parallel to electric mains supply. What current is drawn from the line if the supply voltage
is 220 V?
ANSWER:
Since both the bulbs are connected in parallel, the voltage across each of them will be the same.
P=V×I
I = P/V
Similarly, the current drawn by the bulb of rating 60 W can be calculated as follows:
I = 60 W/220 V = 60/220 A
Q16. Which uses more energy, a 250 W TV set in 1 hr, or a 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes?
ANSWER:
Using this formula, the energy consumed by a TV of power ration 250 W, can be calculated as
follows:
From the calculations, it can be said that the energy consumed by the TV is greater than the
toaster.
Q17. An electric heater of resistance 8 Ω draws 15 A from the service mains 2 hours.
Calculate the rate at which heat is developed in the heater.
ANSWER:
The rate at which the heat develops in the heater can be calculated using the following formula
P = I2 R
a. Why is the tungsten used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamps?
b. Why are the conductors of electric heating devices, such as bread-toasters and electric
irons, made of an alloy rather than a pure metal?
d. How does the resistance of a wire vary with its area of cross-section?
e. Why copper and aluminium wires are usually employed for electricity transmission?
ANSWER:
a. Tungsten is used for lamp filaments due to its high melting point, which prevents it from
melting when heated to incandescence, producing light.
b. Alloys are used for electric heating devices because they have higher resistance than pure
metals, allowing them to generate more heat when current flows.
c. Series arrangements are not used in domestic circuits because if one component fails, the
entire circuit is interrupted, causing all devices to stop working.
e. Copper and aluminium wires are used for electricity transmission due to their good
conductivity, low cost (aluminium), and low resistivity (copper).
EXTRA QUESTIONS
8. What is the average velocity that an electron attains inside a metallic conductor due to
an electric field called?
11. Which law states that the current flowing through an ohmic conductor is directly
proportional to the applied potential difference?
13. What is the electrical resistance offered by a substance of unit length and unit cross-
sectional area called?
c. Resistivity d. Capacitance
14. Which of the following conductors offers zero resistance to the flow of current?
15. What is the rate of doing work or the rate of consumption of electrical energy called?
ANSWERS:
1. The Class 10 science chapter 12, 'Electricity,' explores the nature of ________.
3. Valence electrons in metals can move freely within a conductor, forming ________.
7. Electric potential at a point is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive
charge from ________ to that point.
14. Ohm’s Law states that current in an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the
applied ________ difference.
ANSWER:
Question 1:
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 2:
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 3:
Assertion: Electric potential is defined as the work done in bringing a unit positive charge
from infinity to a point.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 4:
Reason: One watt of power is consumed when 1 A of current flows at a potential difference
of 1 V.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 5:
Reason: Materials like glass and dry wood are examples of conductors.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 6:
Assertion: Electric circuits can be represented using circuit diagrams with symbols.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 7:
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 8:
Assertion: Electric power is the rate of doing work or consuming electrical energy.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 9:
Reason: Heating appliances like electric kettles and room heaters use the heating effect of
current.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Question 10:
Reason: Electric potential is defined as the work done in moving electrons between two
points.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
ANSWERS:
Question 1: Assertion: Electric current is the flow of electric charges. Reason: Electric current
is defined as I = Q / t.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 2: Assertion: Superconductors have zero resistance to the flow of current. Reason:
Superconductors include materials like aluminum and niobium.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 3: Assertion: Electric potential is defined as the work done in bringing a unit positive
charge from infinity to a point. Reason: Potential difference is necessary for the movement of
electrons.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 4: Assertion: The rate of electrical energy consumption is measured in watts (W).
Reason: One watt of power is consumed when 1 A of current flows at a potential difference of 1
V.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 5: Assertion: Conductors offer minimal opposition to the flow of current. Reason:
Materials like glass and dry wood are examples of conductors.
Question 6: Assertion: Electric circuits can be represented using circuit diagrams with symbols.
Reason: Electric circuits must always be in series to work properly.
Correct Option: B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation of the Assertion.
Question 7: Assertion: Ohmic resistors follow Ohm’s Law. Reason: Non-Ohmic resistors have
resistance that varies with current.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 8: Assertion: Electric power is the rate of doing work or consuming electrical energy.
Reason: One kilowatt-hour (kWh) is equivalent to 1 joule.
Correct Option: B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation of the Assertion.
Question 9: Assertion: The heating effect of current is applied in electrical heating appliances.
Reason: Heating appliances like electric kettles and room heaters use the heating effect of
current.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
Question 10: Assertion: Electric potential difference is essential for the movement of electrons.
Reason: Electric potential is defined as the work done in moving electrons between two points.
Correct Option: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
of the Assertion.
10. According to Ohm's Law, what is the relationship between current and potential
difference in an ohmic conductor?
15. How are resistors combined in series and parallel, and what are the equivalent
resistance formulas for each?
16. What is EMF, and how does it differ from terminal voltage in a cell?
17. Explain Joule's Law and its relevance to the heating effect of electric current.
19. What is the commercial unit of electrical energy, and how is it related to power?
20. What are the representations of electric power in terms of current, voltage, and
resistance?
ANSWER:
1. The main focus of Class 10's chapter on electricity is to understand the nature of
electricity, factors controlling its flow, and electric circuit principles.
2. Valence electrons in metals contribute to electric current by moving freely within the
conductor, forming the flow of electric charges.
4. Examples of conductors include copper, iron, and steel, while insulators include glass,
dry wood, and cotton.
5. Electric potential at a point represents the work done in bringing a unit positive charge
from infinity to that point.
6. Electric current is the flow of electric charges and is calculated using the formula I = Q /
t.
7. Drift velocity of an electron is the average velocity an electron attains inside a metallic
conductor due to the application of an electric field.
9. An electric circuit is a closed-loop path for electric current, and circuit diagrams represent
circuits using symbols.
10. Ohm's Law states that current in an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the
applied potential difference.
11. Factors affecting resistance in an electric circuit include length, nature, temperature, and
cross-sectional area.
12. Resistivity is the electrical resistance offered by a substance of unit length and unit cross-
sectional area.
13. Ohmic resistors follow Ohm's Law, while non-Ohmic resistors do not.
14. Superconductors have zero resistance to the flow of current and include materials like
aluminum, niobium, and cuprates.
15. Resistors are combined in series if they carry the same current and in parallel if the same
potential difference is applied to them. Equivalent resistance formulas are Req = R1 + R2
for series and 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 for parallel.
16. EMF is the potential difference in a cell when there is no current flowing through the
circuit. Terminal voltage is the potential difference with current.
17. Joule's Law states that heat is proportional to the square of current, resistance, and time,
and it's relevant to the heating effect of electric current.
18. Electric power is the rate of doing work or consuming electrical energy, measured in
watts (W).
19. The commercial unit of electrical energy is a kilowatt-hour (kWh), and it's related to
power as 1 kWh = 3.6×10^6 joules.
20. Electric power can be represented as P = I²R and P = V²/R, where P is power, I is current,
V is voltage, and R is resistance.
Answer: Electric potential refers to the electric potential energy per unit charge at a point. It is
the work done in moving a unit positive charge from infinity to that point. Potential difference,
on the other hand, is the difference in electric potentials between two points in a circuit.
Electrons in an electric circuit move when there is a potential difference between two points.
This potential difference creates an electric field, which exerts a force on the electrons, causing
them to flow, thus constituting an electric current.
Q2. Describe the factors affecting resistance in an electric circuit. How does the resistance
of a conductor change with these factors?
Q3. What are superconductors, and what distinguishes them from regular conductors?
Provide examples of superconductors and their practical applications.
Answer: Superconductors are materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below
a critical temperature. This property sets them apart from regular conductors, which always have
some resistance. Examples of superconductors include aluminum, niobium, magnesium diboride,
and certain cuprate compounds. Superconductors have various practical applications, including
in high-speed trains (Maglev trains), MRI machines in healthcare, and highly sensitive scientific
instruments where precise electrical signals are required.
Q4. Discuss the concept of electric circuitry and its importance in the functioning of
electrical devices. Provide examples of common electrical circuits.
Answer: An electric circuit is a closed-loop path through which electric current can flow. It
consists of various components, including conductors, resistors, switches, and energy sources
like batteries. Electric circuits are essential for the functioning of electrical devices, as they
provide a controlled path for the flow of electrons. Examples of common electrical circuits
include:
➢ The circuit in a home's electrical system, which connects various appliances and lights to
a power source.
➢ The circuit in electronic devices like smartphones and laptops, which includes
components such as microprocessors and capacitors.
Q5. Discuss the heating effect of electric current and its practical applications in everyday
life. Provide examples of electrical appliances that utilize this effect.
Answer: The heating effect of electric current, also known as Joule's Law, states that the heat
generated in a conductor is directly proportional to the square of the current flowing through it,
the resistance of the conductor, and the time for which the current flows. This effect is applied in
various electrical appliances in everyday life. Examples include:
➢ Electric irons: The heating element in irons heats up to remove wrinkles from clothing.
➢ Water heaters (geysers): They use the heating effect to heat water for domestic use.
Passage 1: Electric Current and Conductors Electric current, denoted as I, is the fundamental
flow of electric charges through a conductor. It is expressed as the ratio of the electric charge (Q)
passing through a point in the conductor to the time (t) taken for this charge to pass. In simpler
terms, it measures how many electrons move through a wire per second. Conductors are
materials that allow electric current to flow with minimal opposition. They typically have free
electrons that can easily move in response to an electric field. Common examples of conductors
include copper, iron, and steel, which are widely used in electrical wiring. In contrast, insulators
like glass, dry wood, and cotton offer significant resistance to the flow of electric current.
Questions:
2. Explain the relationship between electric current, electric charge, and time.
3. Why are conductors essential in electrical circuits, and what characteristic makes them
suitable for this role?
Passage 2: Electric Circuit and Ohm's Law An electric circuit refers to a closed-loop path
through which electric current can flow. It consists of various components like resistors,
capacitors, and power sources connected in a specific configuration. Circuit diagrams use
symbols to represent these components and their connections. Ohm's Law is a fundamental
principle in electrical circuits. It states that the current flowing through an ohmic conductor is
directly proportional to the potential difference applied across its two ends. In simple terms, this
means that for a given conductor, increasing the voltage will result in a proportional increase in
current. This law is crucial in understanding and designing electrical circuits.
Questions:
1. What is an electric circuit, and why is it necessary for the flow of electric current?
2. How are components represented in circuit diagrams, and why is this representation
important?
3. What is Ohm's Law, and what does it describe regarding the relationship between current
and voltage?
5. How would an increase in voltage affect the current in an ohmic conductor according to
Ohm's Law?
Passage 3: Electric Power and Applications Electric power, measured in watts (W), represents
the rate at which electrical energy is consumed or produced in a circuit. It can be calculated using
the formula P = W/t, where P is power, W is work done, and t is time. One watt of power is
consumed when 1 ampere (A) of current flows at a potential difference of 1 volt (V). The
commercial unit of electrical energy is the kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is equivalent to 3.6×10^6
joules. This unit is commonly used for billing electricity consumption in homes. The heating
effect of electric current, as described by Joule's Law, finds practical applications in various
electrical appliances like electric kettles, room heaters, and water heaters.
Questions:
2. How is electric power calculated, and what does it represent in an electrical circuit?
4. Describe Joule's Law and its significance in understanding the heating effect of electric
current.
5. Provide three examples of electrical appliances that utilize the heating effect of electric
current in their operation.
ANSWERS:
1. Electric current is the flow of electric charges through a conductor and is denoted as I.
2. Electric current (I) is the ratio of the electric charge (Q) passing through a point to the
time (t) taken for this charge to pass.
3. Conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow with minimal opposition due
to the presence of free electrons.
5. Insulators, unlike conductors, resist the flow of electric current and include materials like
glass, dry wood, and cotton.
1. An electric circuit is a closed-loop path for the flow of electric current, allowing various
components to work together.
2. Circuit diagrams use symbols to represent components and their connections, facilitating
understanding and design.
3. Ohm's Law states that the current in an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference across its ends.
4. Ohm's Law is essential for understanding and designing electrical circuits, enabling
precise control of current in components.
2. Power is calculated using the formula P = W/t, where P is power, W is work done, and t
is time.
3. One watt of power is consumed when 1 ampere (A) of current flows at a potential
difference of 1 volt (V).
5. Joule's Law describes the heating effect of electric current, with practical applications in
appliances like electric kettles, room heaters, and water heaters
ANSWERS:
1. To calculate the heat generated when transferring charge, you can use the formula:
Heat (Q) = Voltage (V) × Charge (Q) = 40V × 90000 C = 3,600,000 Joules
1 1
(ii) In parallel: Total resistance 𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 1 1 = 1 1 = 5Ω
( )+( ) ( )+( )
𝑅1 𝑅2 10Ω 10Ω
𝑉2 (6𝑉)2
Power consumed in parallel: 𝑃𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = 𝑅 = 5Ω
= 7.2 W
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
1.8𝑊
Ratio of power in series to power in parallel: 𝑃𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 /𝑃𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = 7.2𝑊= 1/4
So, the ratio of power consumed in series to power consumed in parallel is 1:4.
4. The power consumed by a device with resistance R and potential difference V is given by
the formula:
(𝑉 2 )
Power (P) = 𝑅
5. When two identical resistors are connected in series, the equivalent resistance (Rs) is the
sum of their individual resistances:
Rs = R1 + R2 = R + R = 2R
When they are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance (Rp) is given by:
1 1 1 1 1 2
= + = + =
𝑅𝑝 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
𝑅 2𝑅 𝑅2
So, the ratio of equivalent resistance in series to parallel is 𝑅 𝑠 = 2 = = R.
𝑝 𝑅
𝑅
6. (a) Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the voltage (V) across it, given by the equation: I = V/R, where R is the
resistance of the conductor.
(b) When the bulb is operated at 110V, you can use Ohm's Law to find the power consumed:
𝑉2 (1100𝑉)2 𝑉
P= = (since P = VI, and I = 𝑅)
𝑅 𝑅
If the bulb's resistance remains constant, you can calculate the new power.
7. (a) Electric resistance of a conductor is a measure of its opposition to the flow of electric
current.
8. Electric current is the flow of electric charge. Its SI unit is the Ampere (A).
Conventional current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a battery.
Electrons flow in the opposite direction, from the negative to the positive terminal.
To calculate the number of electrons flowing through any section of the conductor in 1 second,
you can use the formula:
9. The equivalent resistance (R) of a combination of three resistors (R1, R2, and R3)
connected in parallel is given by:
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
10. When a wire of resistance 8Ω is bent in the form of a closed circle, the effective
resistance between points A and B at the ends of a diameter is 4Ω. The ammeter reading
would be the same as the effective resistance, which is 4Ω.
11. (a) The equivalent resistance (R) of a combination of three resistors (R1, R2, and R3)
connected in series is simply the sum of their individual resistances:
R = R1 + R2 + R3
(b) To calculate the equivalent resistance (R) of three resistors (2Ω, 3Ω, and 6Ω) connected in
parallel, use the formula:
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
1 1 1 1 6 4 2 12
= 2Ω + 3Ω + 6Ω = 𝑅 = 6 + 6 + 6 = 6𝑅 = 6Ω
(b) For two identical resistors of 12Ω each: Minimum resistance in parallel = 6Ω (since 1 /
(1/12Ω + 1/12Ω) = 6Ω) Maximum resistance in parallel = 12Ω (if only one resistor is used)
Calculate the ratio of power consumed: Ratio = (Voltage^2) / Resistance For minimum
resistance: Ratio = (3V)^2 / 6Ω = 9W / 6Ω = 1.5W/Ω For maximum resistance: Ratio = (3V)^2 /
12Ω = 9W / 12Ω = 0.75W/Ω
13. (a) In a series combination of three resistors, the current flowing through each resistor is
the same because they are connected in a single path.
(b) The total potential difference (voltage) in a series combination of three resistors is equal to
the sum of the potential differences across individual resistors. This follows directly from
Kirchhoff's voltage law, which states that the sum of the voltages around any closed loop in a
circuit is zero.
14. (a) To calculate the total resistance of the circuit, add the resistance of the lamp and the
conductor in parallel:
(b) To find the current through the circuit, use Ohm's Law:
(c) The potential difference across the electric lamp is V = IR = (1.8 A) × (20Ω) = 36V. The
potential difference across the conductor is the remaining voltage, which is 6V - 36V = -30V
(negative because it's opposite in direction to the battery's voltage).