Electricity

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
A cell, a resistor, a key and ammeter are arranged as shown in the circuit diagrams
of Figure12.1. The current recorded in the ammeter will be

A. maximum in (i)

B. maximum in (ii)

C. maximum in (iii)

D. the same in all the cases

Answer:
The Current will be given by: I = V/R

R is the total resistance of the circuits

Since V and R are equal in all the three circuits. So, Current will be same in all the
three circuits and in series circuit current is same and only potential difference
varies.

The current recorded in the ammeter will be same in all the three circuits.

Question 2.
In the following circuits (Figure 12.2), heat produced in the resistor or combination
of resistors connected to a 12 V battery will be
A. same in all the cases

B. minimum in case (i)

C. maximum in case (ii)

D. maximum in case (iii)

Answer:
In gure (i), the value of net resistance R=2 Ω

In gure (ii), the value of net resistance R= 4 Ω

In gure (iii), the value of net resistance R = 1Ω

Heat is given by the formula: H = (V2× Time) /R

Since net resistance is minimum in gure (iii) and heat dissipated is inversely
proportional to the resistance, so Heat dissipated will be maximum in case (iii)

Question 3.
Electrical resistivity of a given metallic wire depends upon
A. its length

B. its thickness

C. its shape

D. nature of the material

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Answer:
Electrical Resistivity is given by the relation:

ρ is inversely proportional to the number density of free of electrons i.e. nature of

the material.

Question 4.
A current of 1 A is drawn by a lament of an electric bulb. Number of electrons
passing through a cross section of the lament in 16 seconds would be roughly
A. 1020

B. 1016

C. 1018

D. 1023

Answer:
Current, I= 1 A

Time, t = 16 seconds

No. of electrons, N = I×T/e

= 1020 electrons

Question 5.
Identify the circuit (Figure 12.3) in which the electrical components have been
properly connected.
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A. (i)

B. (ii)

C. (iii)

D. (iv)

Answer:
Circuit shown in gure (ii) is properly connected. In other gures, the connections
are not correct. For e×ample: in gure (i), voltmeter is connected in series and not
in parallel. Similarly in gure (iii), ammeter is in parallel which should be in series. In
gure (iv), the negative terminal of battery has been connected to positive terminal
of ammeter whereas it should be connected to negative terminal and not positive
terminal of ammeter.

Question 6.
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What is the maximum resistance which can be made using ve resistors each of
1/5 Ω?
A. 1/5 Ω

B. 10 Ω

C. 5 Ω

D. 1 Ω

Answer:
When each resistor is of 1/5 Ω and when all the ve resistors are connected in
series, then the net resistor will be:

R= R1+R2+R3+R4+R5

R = 1/5 +1/5+1/5+1/5+1/5

R= 1 Ω

Question 7.
What is the minimum resistance which can be made using ve resistors each of 1/5
Ω?
A. 1/5 Ω

B. 1/25 Ω

C. 1/10 Ω

D. 25 Ω

Answer:
When each resistor of 1/5 Ω is connected in parallel:

1/R= 1/R1+1/R2+1/R3+1/R4+1/R5

1/R = 5+5+5+5+5
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1/R = 25 Ω

R = 1/25 Ω

Question 8.
The proper representation of series combination of cells (Figure 12.4) obtaining
maximum potential is

A. (i)

B. (ii)

C. (iii)

D. (iv)

Answer:
The maximum potential in above connection will be when all are connected in
series circuit. The negative terminal of cell should be connected to positive terminal
and it should be continued which is correct in gure (i)

Question 9.
Which of the following represents voltage?

A.

B. Work done × Charge

C. Work done × Time/Current

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D. Work done × Charge × Time

Answer:
Work done is given by the relation :

W= charge × potential difference

W= Q × V

As we know that Q= I × t

Therefore putting in above equation

W= I × t × V

V= Work done/ Current × time

Question 10.
A cylindrical conductor of length l and uniform area of cross section A has
resistance R. Another conductor of length 2l and resistance R of the same material
has area of cross section
A. A/2

B. 3A/2

C. 2A

D. 3A

Answer:
Case 1: when length is l and Area of cross section is A

Resistivity will be
Case 2: when length is 2l and resistance is R and let area is A’

Resistivity will be

As given in the question both conductors are of same material and has same area
of cross-section, therefore, resistivity will be equal

And therefore, A’= 2A

Question 11.
A student carries out an experiment and plots the V-I graph of three samples of
nichrome wire with resistances R1, R2 and R3 respectively (Figure.12.5). Which of
the following is true?

A. R1 = R2 = R3

B. R1 > R2 > R3
C. R3 > R2 > R1

D. R2 > R3 > R1

Answer:
Since the slope of the above graph is inversely proportional to the resistance. As in
the graph, slope of R1 is maximum, so resistance will be minimum. Similarly Slope
of R3 is minimum, so it will have maximum resistance. So, the correct order is:

R3 > R2 > R1

Question 12.
If the current I through a resistor is increased by 100% (assume that temperature
remains unchanged), the increase in power dissipated will be
A. 100 %

B. 200 %

C. 300 %

D. 400 %

Answer:
Case 1: power is given by

P1= I2R

Case 2: when current is increased by 100%

It means that current becomes doubled i.e. 2I

Power will be P2 = (2I)2R

i.e. Power = 4 I2R

Change in dissipated power = 4 I2R- I2R =3 I2R

Increase in percent of power dissipated = 3P1/P1 ×100% = 300%

Question 13.
The resistivity does not change if
A. the material is changed

B. the temperature is changed

C. the shape of the resistor is changed

D. both material and temperature are changed

Answer:
The resistivity depends on the nature of the material and temperature. It doesn’t
vary with the shape of the resistor.

Question 14.
In an electrical circuit three incandescent bulbs A, B and C of rating 40 W, 60 W
and 100 W respectively are connected in parallel to an electric source. Which of the
following is likely to happen regarding their brightness?
A. Brightness of all the bulbs will be the same

B. Brightness of bulb A will be the maximum

C. Brightness of bulb B will be more than that of A

D. Brightness of bulb C will be less than that of B

Answer:
Since bulb having high power rating will led to production of more heat as well as
more light. So, Brightness of bulb B will be more than that of A

Question 15.
In an electrical circuit two resistors of 2 Ω and 4 Ω respectively are connected in
series to a 6 V battery. The heat dissipated by the 4 Ω resistor in 5 s will be
A. 5 J
B. 10 J

C. 20 J

D. 30 J

Answer:
Since resistors are connected in series. So, net resistance R=

R1_+ R2

R = 2+4 = 6 Ω

Current will be calculated using ohm’s law

I= V/R

= 6/6 = 1A

Heat dissipated will be given by: H= I2Rt

for 4 Ω resistor in 5 s

H = (1)2 × 4 × 5

H = 20 J

Question 16.
An electric kettle consumes 1 kW of electric power when operated at 220 V. A fuse
wire of what rating must be used for it?
A. 1 A

B. 2 A

C. 4 A
D. 5 A

Answer:
Power = 1 kW

In Watt, P= 1000 W

Current is given by I = P/V

I= 1000/220

I = 4.5 A

So, A fuse wire of rating slightly greater than 4.5A must be used i.e. 5A.

Question 17.
Two resistors of resistance 2Ω and 4Ω when connected to a battery will have
A. same current owing through them when connected in parallel

B. same current owing through them when connected in series

C. same potential difference across them when connected in series

D. different potential difference across them when connected in Parallel

Answer:
In series circuit, current owing through the resistors are same and has difference
potential difference.

Question 18.
Unit of electric power may also be expressed as
A. volt ampere

B. kilowatt hour

C. watt second
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D. joule second

Answer:
The S.I. unit of electric power is: Watt

1 Watt is given by : 1 Watt = 1 Volt 1 Ampere

1 Watt = volt Ampere

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
A child has drawn the electric circuit to study Ohm’s law as shown in Figure 12.6.
His teacher told that the circuit diagram needs correction. Study the circuit diagram
and redraw it after making all corrections.

Answer:
In the above circuit, the ammeter has been connected in parallel and the voltmeter
is connected in series which is not correct. The ammeter should be connected in
series and voltmeter is parallel. The correct circuit diagram will be as follows:
Question 2.
Three 2 Ω resistors, A, B and C, are connected as shown in Figure 12.7. Each of
them dissipates energy and can withstand a maximum power of 18W without
melting. Find the maximum current that can ow through the

three resistors?

Answer:
Resistance = 2 Ω

Power = 18W

P = I2R

I = (P/R)1/2
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I = (18/2)1/2

I = 3A

Question 3.
Should the resistance of an ammeter be low or high? Give reason.

Answer:
The resistance of an ammeter should be low because ammeter is connected in
series in the circuit and if resistance will be high, no current will ow through the
circuit.

Question 4.
Draw a circuit diagram of an electric circuit containing a cell, a key, an ammeter, a
resistor of 2 Ω in series with a combination of two resistors (4 Ω each) in parallel
and a voltmeter across the parallel combination. Will the potential difference across
the 2 Ω resistor be the same as that across the parallel combination of 4Ω
resistors? Give reason.

Answer:
Circuit diagram consisting of a cell, a key, an ammeter, a resistor of 2 Ω in series
with a combination of two resistors (4 Ω each) in parallel and a voltmeter across the
parallel combination is as follows:
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Net resistance connected in parallel R = 2 Ω

Since resistance of 2 Ω and effective resistance of parallel combination of two 4 Ω

resistances in series , same current will ow through them and therefore potential
difference will be same across the 2 Ω resistor as across the parallel combination of
4 Ω resistors.

Question 5.
How does use of a fuse wire protect electrical appliances?

Answer:
An electric fuse is wire which is made of a material of high resistance and low
melting point. Using an electric fuse prevents the ow of unduly high electric current
and protects the appliances from the damage. Due to Joule heating, the fuse melts
to break the electric circuit.

Question 6.
What is electrical resistivity? In a series electrical circuit comprising a resistor made
up of a metallic wire, the ammeter reads 5 A. The reading of the ammeter
decreases to half when the

length of the wire is doubled. Why?

Answer:
Resistance of a uniform metallic conductor is directly proportional to the length (l)
and inversely proportional to the area of cross-section.

i.e. R

Or R =
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ρ is constant of proportionality and is known as electrical resistivity of the material

When length of wire is doubled, the current decreases because Resistance of a

uniform metallic conductor is directly proportional to the length (l) and according to
Ohm’s law, Resistance is inversely proportional to the current and therefore when
the length of wire is increased, there is decrease in the value of current.

Question 7.
What is the commercial unit of electrical energy? Represent it in terms of joules.

Answer:
The commercial unit of electrical energy is Kilowatt hour (kWh). It can be converted
into joules as follows:

1 kWh= 1000 watt seconds

1 kWh = 3.6 106 watt second

1 kWh =3.6 106 Joule

Question 8.
A current of 1 ampere ows in a series circuit containing an electric lamp and a
conductor of 5 Ω when connected to a 10 V battery. Calculate the resistance of the
electric lamp. Now if a resistance of 10 Ω is connected in parallel with this series
combination, what change (if any) in current owing through 5 Ω conductor and
potential difference across the lamp will take place? Give reason.

Answer:
When 5Ω and resistance of lamp say R is connected in series:

Effective resistance R’ = 5+R

Applying ohm’s law:

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V= IR

R = V/I = 10/1 = 10 Ω

Therefore, resistance of lamp, R= 10-5 Ω = 5 Ω

When a 10 Ω resistance is connected in parallel with the series connection

Effective resistance 1/R’’= 1/10 +1/10

R’’ = 5 Ω

Current through the circuit I = V/R = 10/5 = 2A

So, current owing through each circuit will be of 1 V

Potential difference across the lamp will be same because voltage is same across
the circuit.

Question 9.
Why is parallel arrangement used in domestic wiring?

Answer:
If different appliances in a domestic are connected in series then if one of the
appliance is switched off or stops working then the other appliances will also stop.
Moreover, if they are connected in series, then then there will be different voltage
for different appliances and there will be loss of voltage due to add on effects of
resistances. Each appliance is connected in parallel to each other so that each
appliance has an equal potential difference. That’s why series arrangement is not
used in domestic circuits and parallel arrangement is used in domestic wiring.

Question 10.
B1, B2 and B3 are three identical bulbs connected as shown in Figure 12.8. When
all the three bulbs glow, a current of 3A is recorded by the ammeter A.
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(i) What happens to the glow of the other two bulbs when the

bulb B1 gets fused?

(ii) What happens to the reading of A1, A2, A3 and A when the

bulb B2 gets fused?

(iii) How much power is dissipated in the circuit when all the

three bulbs glow together?

Answer:
(i) There will be no effect on glow of other two bulbs and will remain same when B1
gets fused because glowing of bulb depends on power and the potential difference
and resistance remains same of other two bulbs.

(ii) When there are parallel connections:

Net resistance will be 1/R = 1/R1+1/R2+1/R3

Since resistance is same so, R’ = R/3

Applying ohm’s law V= IR

R =4.5Ω

Since B2 gets fused, so now only two bulbs B1 and B3 are in parallel

Therefore net resistance in parallel 1/R’ =2/R

R’ = 4.5/2 Ω

I = V/R’ = 2×4.5/4.5

I = 2A

So, current will be distributed in both the bulbs as 1 A each.

(iii) Power dissipated when all three bulbs glow together

P=V×I

P= 4.5 × 3 = 13.5 W

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Three incandescent bulbs of 100 W each are connected in series in an electric
circuit. In another circuit another set of three bulbs of the same wattage are
connected in parallel to the same source.

(a) Will the bulb in the two circuits glow with the same brightness? Justify your
answer.

(b) Now let one bulb in both the circuits get fused. Will the rest of the bulbs continue
to glow in each circuit? Give reason.
Answer:
(a) The bulbs which are in parallel connection will glow with more brightness than
with series connection bulbs because in parallel connection, bulbs are connected
with the same source. So, power in each bulb will be:

P = V2 /2R whereas in series Power through each bulb will be P= V2 /9R

Therefore, bulbs in parallel connection will glow more.

(b) If one bulb in series circuit is fused then all the bulbs in the series circuit will get
fused but in cause of parallel circuit, if one bulb fused the other two fused will
continue to glow because in case of series circuit, same amount of current is
distributed whereas in case of parallel circuit, the current is divided among electrical
gadgets and is therefore, each bulb has different value of resistance and requires
different current to operate.

Question 2.
State Ohm’s law? How can it be veri ed experimentally? Does it hold good under
all conditions? Comment.

Answer:
According to Ohm’s law:

The electrical current owing through a conductor is directly proportional to the

potential difference across its ends providing the temperature remains same.

R= V/I

R is resistance of conductor

V is potential difference

I is current
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It can be veri ed experimentally by following:

1. Set up an electrical circuit consisting of nichrome wire of length ×Y say 0.5m , an

ammeter, a voltmeter and four cells of 1.5 V each .

2. Firstly, use one cell as source in the circuit. Note the current in the ammeter and
voltmeter reading across the nichrome ×Y in the circuit.

3. Connect two cells in the circuit and note down the reading from the given circuit
for the current and potential difference.

4. Repeat the same experiment for three cells and then four cells and note down
the reading from Ammeter and Voltmeter.

5. Calculate the value of ratio to each pair of potential difference V and current I.

It is observed that the value of V/I is approximately same for each case and V-I
graph obtained is a straight line which veri es Ohm’s law.

No, it doesn’t hold good under all conditions because the value of current is
different for different components. Certain components offer an easy path for ow of
resistance while others resists the ow.

Question 3.
What is electrical resistivity of a material? What is its unit? Describe an experiment
to study the factors on which the resistance of conducting wire depends.

Answer:
Resistance of a uniform metallic conductor is directly proportional to the length (l)
and inversely proportional to the area of cross-section.

i.e. R

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Or R =

ρ is constant of proportionality and is known as electrical resistivity of the material

S.I. unit of electrical resistivity of a material is: Ω m.

An experiment to study the factors on which the resistance of conducting wire

depends can be demonstrated as follows:

1. Complete an electrical circuit which consists of a cell, an ammeter, a nichrome

wire of length l.

2. Note down the reading from Ammeter.

3. Replace the nichrome wire with twice the length of earlier nichrome wire having
same thickness.

4. Note down the ammeter reading in the given circuit.

5. Replace the nichrome wire with thicker nichrome wire having a large cross-
section area. Note down the current through circuit.

6. Now, replace the nichrome wire with copper wire having same length and same
area of cross-section.

7. Note down the value of current and observe the difference in the current in all the
cases.

Following observations were noted:

1. The ammeter reading decreases to one-half when the length of wire is doubled.
2. The ammeter reading is increased when thicker wire of same material and same
length is used.

3. Change in ammeter reading is observed when copper wire is used.

So, Resistance of conducting wire depends on various factors:

1. Length

2. Area of cross-section

3. Nature of material

Question 4.
How will you infer with the help of an experiment that the same current ows
through every part of the circuit containing three resistances in series connected to
a battery?

Answer:
The same current ows through every part of the circuit containing three
resistances in series connected to a battery can be prove with the help of following
experiment:

1. Connect three resistors of different values in series connection.

2. Connect the resistors with an ammeter, a plug key and a battery.

3. Let the resistors be of 1Ω, 2 Ω and 3 Ω and battery of 6V.

4. Plug the key and note down the ammeter reading.

It will be observed that the same amount of current value ows through the circuit,
independent of its position in the given circuit.
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Question 5.
How will you conclude that the same potential difference (voltage) exists across
three resistors connected in a parallel arrangement to a battery?

Answer:
The same potential difference exists across three resistors connected in a parallel
arrangement to a battery can be concluded as follows:

1. Make a parallel combination of three resistors ×Y of three resistors R1, R2 and

R3. Connect the resistors with a battery, an ammeter and a plug key.

2. Connect a voltmeter in parallel with the resistors.

3. Plug the key and note the ammeter reading and also note the voltmeter reading.

4. The potential difference across each resistor is V.

5. Now, take out the plug key from the circuit. Remove the ammeter and voltmeter
from the given circuit.

6. Insert the ammeter in series with the resistor R1 and note down the ammeter
reading I1.

7. Similarly, note the I2 and I3 across the resistors R2 and R3.

The total current through the circuit will be given by:

I = I1+I2+I3

Applying Ohm’s law to the parallel combination of resistors

I = V/ RP

For each resistor, ohm’s law will be given by:

I1 = V/ R1 ;I2 = V/ R2 ;I3 = V/ R3

Now, V/ RP = V/ R1+ V/ R2+ V/ R3

1/ RP = 1/ R1+ 1/ R2+ 1/ R3

Hence, the same potential difference exists across three resistors connected in a
parallel arrangement to a battery.

Question 6.
What is Joule’s heating effect? How can it be demonstrated experimentally? List its
four applications in daily life.

Answer:
If the electrical circuit is purely resistive, that is a con guration of resistors only
connected to battery, the source energy continually gets dissipated in the form of
heat. This is known as Joule’s heating effect of electric current. Joule’s law of
heating is given by the relation:

H= I2Rt. The law implies that : heat produced in a resistor is

(i) Directly proportional to the square of current for a given resistance

(ii) Directly proportional to the resistance of given circuit.

(iii) Directly proportional to the time for which the resistance ows through the
resistor.

It can be demonstrated experimentally by following:

When an electric eld is applied across the ends of a conductor, the free electrons
starts moving towards the electric eld. These electrons suffers collision with the
atoms which have lost electrons. Due to the collision, energy is transferred to the
atoms and they vibrate as they gain energy due to which heat is developed in the
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conductor. The more is the current, the more will be heat. This is Joule’s heating
effect.

An electric fuse is wire which is made of a material of high resistance and low
melting point. Using an electric fuse prevents the ow of unduly high electric current
and protects the appliances from the damage. Due to Joule heating, the fuse melts
to break the electric circuit.

The four applications in daily life are:

1. In electrical heaters.

2. In electrical iron

3. In electrical fuse wire

4. In electrical bulb

Question 7.
Find out the following in the electric circuit given in Figure 12.9
(a) Effective resistance of two 8 Ω resistors in the combination
(b) Current owing through 4 Ω resistor
(c) Potential difference across 4 Ω resistance
(d) Power dissipated in 4 Ω resistor
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(e) Difference in ammeter readings, if any.

Answer:
(i) since resistances are connected in parallel

Therefore, effective resistance 1/R’ = 1/8+1/8 = 1/4

R’ = 4Ω

(ii) Current can be calculated with the help of Ohm’s law:

I = V/R = 8/4 = 2 A

(iii)Potential difference is given by, V= IR

V= 4 × 2 =8 Watt

(iv)Reading in ammeter A1, I = V/R = 8/4 = 2 A

Reading in ammeter A2 = 8/4

=2A

Difference in ammeter readings = 2- 2= 0