Short Answers
Q.1. Suppose you have three resistors, each of value 30 Ω. List all the different resistances you can obtain using them.
(a) When the three resistors are connected in series:-
The resultant resistance, Req = R + R + R = 90 Ω
(b) When the three resistors are connected in parallel:-
The resultant resistance of the combination,
(c) When two of the resistors are connected in parallel and this combination is connected in series with the third resistor:-
Let R' be the resultant resistance of the two resistors connected in parallel to each other. Therefore,
Now, the net resistance of the combination of the resistors,
Req = R' + R = 15 + 30 = 45 Ω
(d) When two of the resistors are connected in series and the combination is connected to the third resistor in parallel:-
Let R' be the resultant resistance of the series in combination. Therefore,
R' = R + R = 30 + 30 = 60 Ω
Now, let the net resultant of the combination be Req. So,
Q.2. A proton beam is moving from east to west. Is there an electric current? If yes, in what direction?
Yes, there is an electric current in the direction of the proton beam. Conventionally, the direction of electric current is same as that of the positive charge flow.
Q.3. In an electrolyte, the positive ions move from left to right and the negative ions from right to left. Is there a net current? If yes, in what direction?
Yes, there is a net current that flows from left to right. By convention, the direction of current is along the flow of positive charge. As the positive ions move from left to right, current also moves from left to right. Also, since the negative ions move from right to left, current moves from left to right. Thus, the movement of net current is from left to right.
Q.4. In a TV tube, electrons are accelerated from the rear to the front. What is the direction of the current?
Conventionally, the direction of current is along the direction of flow of positive charge and opposite the direction of flow of negative charge. In a TV tube, current will flow from the front to the rear, as the direction of current is opposite the direction in which electrons are moving.
Q.5. Drift speed is defined as vd = Δl/Δt, where Δl is the distance drifted in a long time Δt. Why don't we define drift speed as the limit of Δl/Δt as Δt → 0?
An electron drifts under the influence of an external electric field. During the course of this motion, an electron follows a very random path. So, we have to take the average for a very long time. Hence, we cannot define drift speed as the limit of Δl/Δt as Δt → 0 because this is a very short interval of time that is not enough to get the desired result.
Q.6. One of your friends says that he has read in the previous chapters that there can be no electric field inside a conductor. Consequently, there can be no current through it. What is the fallacy of this argument?
You have studied in the previous chapters that when a static charge is given to a metal, the charge resides on its surface and there is no electric field inside it. But this is not the case when a charge is in motion. Current can flow through a conductor only when an electric field is established inside it. An electric field exists inside the conductor, as it is connected to the battery. Thus, current flows through the conductor.
Q.7. When a current is established in a wire, the free electrons drift in the direction opposite to the current. Does the number of free electrons in the wire continuously decrease?
No, the number of electrons in the wire remains constant. The electrons that drift and move to the positive terminal of the battery, under the influence of the external electric field, are replaced by the battery in the circuit. As a result, the total number of free electrons in the wire is always constant.
Q.8. A fan with copper winding in its motor consumes less power compared to a similar fan with aluminium winding. Explain.
A copper wire has higher conductance than an aluminium wire. So, a copper wire offer less resistance to the current flow than an aluminium wire. Thus, there is more heat dissipation in an aluminium wire than in a copper wire. This is why a fan with copper winding in its motor consumes less power compared to a similar fan with aluminium winding.
Q.9. The thermal energy developed in a current-carrying resistor is given by U = i2 Rt and also by U = Vit. Should we say that U is proportional to i2 or i?
In the expression U = Vit, voltage V and current i are variables for a given time interval. So, based on this expression we cannot say that U is proportional to i. In the expression U = i2Rt, the resistance R is fixed for a circuit for a given time interval. So, based on this expression, we can say that U is proportional to i2 and not i.
Q.10. Consider a circuit containing an ideal battery connected to a resistor. Do "work done by the battery" and "the thermal energy developed" represent two names of the same physical quantity?
Yes, the "work done by the battery" and "the thermal energy developed" represent two names of the same physical quantity. The work done by the battery on the resistor is dissipated by the resistor in the form of thermal energy. Hence the " work done by the battery " and " the thermal energy developed " represent two names of the same physical quantity.
However, a non-ideal battery, in this case, would have to do extra work in order to overcome the internal resistance of the battery. Hence, the work done by a non-ideal battery will not be equal to the thermal energy developed.
Q.11. Is work done by a battery always equal to the thermal energy developed in electrical circuit? What happens if a capacitor is connected in the circuit?
No, the work done by a battery is not always equal to the thermal energy developed in the electrical circuit. In case of a non-ideal battery, the work done by the battery is the sum of the thermal energy developed in the electric circuit and the thermal energy developed in the internal resistance of the battery. In case of a capacitor, the work done by the battery is equal to CV2. An amount of energy equal to (1/2) CV2 is stored in it when it is fully charged, which is a form of electrical energy and not a form of thermal energy. During the charging of the capacitor, 1/2 CV2 of energy is lost in the form of heat and electromagnetic radiation.
Q.12. A non-ideal battery is connected to a resistor. Is work done by the battery equal to the thermal energy developed in the resistor? Will your answer change if the battery is ideal?
No, the work done by a non-ideal battery is not equal to the thermal energy developed in the resistor, as energy is spent to overcome the internal resistance of the battery and the resistance of the wire that connects the circuit elements/resistor to the battery. However, the resistance of the wire is generally negligible.
Yes, the answer will change if the battery is ideal. An ideal battery has no internal resistance. Hence, the work done by an ideal battery will be equal to the thermal energy developed in the resistor, assuming that the resistance of the wires used for connection is negligible.
Q.13. Sometimes it is said that "heat is developed" in a resistance when there is an electric current in it. Recall that heat is defined as the energy being transferred due to temperature difference. Is the statement in quotes technically correct?
Yes, the given statement is correct. When charge flows through a conductor, its electric potential energy decreases. This loss in electric potential energy appears as increased heat energy of the resistor. Thus, heat energy is developed in a resistor when there is an electric current in it.
Q.14. We often say, "A current is going through the wire." What goes through the wire, the charge or the current?
When there is a transfer of charge through a wire, current is said to be flowing through it. It is the electron/charge that drifts through the wire. The assertions "charge is going" and "current is going through the wire" are correct, as they signify the same thing, that is, flow of charge.
Q.15. Would you prefer a voltmeter or a potentiometer to measure the emf of a battery?
A potentiometer is preferred to measure the emf of a battery, as it gives a more accurate result. This is because a potentiometer uses the null method to measure emf and it hardly draws any current from the primary circuit.
When a voltmeter is used in the circuit, its equivalent resistance is connected parallel to some element of the circuit. This changes the overall current in the circuit and, hence, the potential difference to be measured also changes. The error can be minimised if the equivalent resistance of the voltmeter is increased. However, we also need to keep in mind the heat dissipated due to high resistance while deciding the value of resistance of the voltmeter.
Hence a potentiometer is preferred.
Q.16. Does a conductor become charged when a current is passed through it?
No, a conductor does not become charged when a current is passed through it. The free electrons present in the valence shell in a circuit drift from a lower potential to a higher potential and, thus, current is produced. A battery does not provide any extra electrons or charge to the circuit. It just provides a potential difference across two points, which helps in creating an electric field. This further helps in moving the electrons along the conductor.
Q.17. Can the potential difference across a battery be greater than its emf?
The potential difference across a battery cannot be greater than its emf. Basically, emf is the maximum potential difference between the terminals of a battery when the terminals are not connected externally to an electric circuit. When the same battery is connected to an electric circuit, current flows in the closed circuit. When current flows, the potential difference across the terminals of the battery is decreased as some potential drop due to its internal resistance.
Due to the internal resistance in the battery, the potential difference across it is less than its emf. However, for an ideal battery, potential difference and emf are equal.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A metallic resistor is connected across a battery. If the number of collisions of the free electrons with the lattice is somehow decreased in the resistor (for example, by cooling it), the current will _____ .
Explanation
If the number of collisions of the free electrons with the lattice is decreased, then the drift velocity of the electrons increases.
Current i is directly proportional to the drift velocity 'Vd' and is given by the following relation:
i = neAVd , where 'n' is the number density of electrons and 'A' is the area of the cross-section of the conductor.
So, we can easily see that current increases with increase in drift velocity.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Two resistors A and B have resistances RA and RB, respectively, and RA < RB. The resistivities of their materials are ρA and ρB.
Explanation
The resistance R of a conductor depends on its resistivity ρ, length l and cross-sectional area A. Thus,
From the given comparison of resistances, we cannot derive the correct relation between the resistances. We also need to know the cross-sectional areas and the lengths of both the conductors before concluding about their resistivities. Only then can the relation between the resistivities be found.
The information is not sufficient to find the relation between ρA and ρB.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:The product of resistivity and conductivity of a cylindrical conductor depends on ____________ .
Explanation
The relation between the resistivity ρ and conductivity σ of a material is given by
The product of conductivity and resistivity is unity. So, this product does not depend on any of the given quantities.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:As the temperature of a metallic resistor is increased, the product of its resistivity and conductivity ____________ .
Explanation
As the temperature of a metallic resistor is increased, the product of its resistivity and conductivity remains constant.
The product of resistivity and conductivity is equal to a constant.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:In an electric circuit containing a battery, the charge (assumed positive) inside the battery ____________ .
Explanation
In the study of electric current, the direction opposite the flow of electrons is regarded as the direction of flow of positive charge. In a battery, positive charge flows from the negative terminal to the positive terminal when it is discharging (connected to external circuit). But when the battery is charged, the positive charge flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A resistor of resistance R is connected to an ideal battery. If the value of R is decreased, the power dissipated in the resistor will ______________ .
Explanation
As the resistance is connected to an ideal battery, it provides a constant potential difference across the two terminals. The internal resistance of the battery is also zero.
The power dissipated in the resistor,
V is constant; hence
Thus, if the value of the resistance is decreased, the power dissipated in the resistor will increase.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A current passes through a resistor. Let K1 and K2 represent the average kinetic energy of the conduction electrons and the metal ions, respectively.
Explanation
The metal ions are bound at their positions and vibrate due to collisions with electrons and due to thermal energy. The conduction electrons are free to move. They get energy from the electric field set inside the conductor by connection with a battery and due to thermal motion. The velocity of the electrons is high.
Thus, the kinetic energy of the electrons is greater than the kinetic energy of the metal ions.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Two resistors R and 2R are connected in series in an electric circuit. The thermal energy developed in R and 2R are in the ratio _______ .
Explanation
Thermal energy developed across a resistor,
U = i2Rt ,
where i is the current flowing through the resistor of resistance R for time t. Since the resistors are connected in series, the current flowing through both the resistors is same and the time for which the current flows is also same.
Thus, the ratio of the thermal energy developed in R and 2 R is 1 : 2.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Two resistances R and 2R are connected in parallel in an electric circuit. The thermal energy developed in R and 2R are in the ratio _____ .
Explanation
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A uniform wire of resistance 50 Ω is cut into 5 equal parts. These parts are now connected in parallel. The equivalent resistance of the combination is _____ .
Explanation
Resistance of a wire is directly proportional to its length.
So, when we cut the wire into 5 equal parts, the resistance of each part will be 10 Ω.
On connecting these wires in parallel, the net resistance will be
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Consider the following two statements:-
(A) Kirchhoff's junction law follows from conservation of charge.
(B) Kirchhoff's loop law follows from conservative nature of electric field.
Explanation
According to Kirchhoff's junction law, the net charge coming towards a point should be equal to the net charge going away from that point in the same time. It follows from the principle of conservation of charge.
The loop law follows from the fact that electrostatic force is a conservative force and the work done by it in any closed path is zero.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Two non-ideal batteries are connected in series. Consider the following statements:-
(A) The equivalent emf is larger than either of the two emfs.
(B) The equivalent internal resistance is smaller than either of the two internal resistances.
Explanation
Let the emfs of the batteries be e1 and e2, and their respective resistances be r1 and r2.
Since the batteries are connected in series, the equivalent emf will be the sum of the emf of the two batteries (e = e1 + e2).
Thus, e > e1 and e > e2
Thus, the equivalent emf is larger than either of the two emfs. Hence, statement A is correct.
Since the batteries are connected in series, the equivalent internal resistance (r) of the combination will be the sum of the internal resistance of the two batteries ( r = r1 + r2).
r > r1 and r > r2
Thus, the equivalent internal resistance is greater that either of the two resistances. Hence, statement B is wrong.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Two non-ideal batteries are connected in parallel. Consider the following statements:-
(A) The equivalent emf is smaller than either of the two emfs.
(B) The equivalent internal resistance is smaller than either of the two internal resistances.
Explanation
The equivalent emf ∈0, when two non-ideal batteries of emfs ∈1 and ∈2 and internal resistances r1 and r2 respectively are connected in parallel to each other, is given by:-
Thus, the equivalent emf is greater than either of the emfs. Thus, statement A is wrong.
For the parallel combination of the batteries of internal resistance r1 and r2, the equivalent internal resistance r is given as
Thus, the value of the resultant resistance is even smaller than either resistance.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:The net resistance of an ammeter should be small to ensure that _______ .
Explanation
The ammeter is connected in series with the circuit to measure the net amount of current flowing through the circuit. If the net resistance of the ammeter is high, then the amount of current that the circuit draws will have error. Hence, we cannot accurately measure the amount of current that the circuit draws from the voltage source. Hence, the net resistance or the equivalent resistance of an ammeter should be small enough to ensure that it does not appreciably change the current to be measured.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:The net resistance of a voltmeter should be large to ensure that _______ .
Explanation
To measure potential difference across any circuit element, the voltmeter is connected in parallel to that circuit element. Let Req be the equivalent resistance of the voltmeter and V be the potential difference across the voltmeter.
Then, the current through the voltmeter, i = V/Req
Hence, the deflection in the voltmeter is proportional to the current i and, hence, proportional to V. However, when the voltmeter is used in a circuit, its resistance Req is connected in parallel to some circuit element. This might change the overall resistance of the circuit and, hence, the current. Consequently, the potential difference to be measured is also changed. To minimise the error due to this, the equivalent resistance Req of the voltmeter should be large. When a large resistance is connected in parallel to a small resistance, the equivalent resistance is only slightly less than the smaller one.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Consider a capacitor-charging circuit. Let Q1 be the charge given to the capacitor in a time interval of 10 ms and Q2 be the charge given in the next time interval of 10 ms. Let 10 μC charge be deposited in time interval t1 and another 10 μC charge be deposited in the next time interval t2.
Explanation
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Electrons are emitted by a hot filament and are accelerated by an electric field, as shown in the figure. The two stops at the left ensure that the electron beam has a uniform cross-section.
Explanation
Let the potentials at A and B be VA and VB.
As potential, E = -(dV/dr) potential increases in the direction opposite to the direction of the electric field.
Thus, VA < VB
Potential energy of the electrons at points A and B:-
UA = -eVA
UB = -eVB
Thus, UA > UB
Let the kinetic energy of an electron at points A and B be KA and KB respectively.
Applying the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, we get:-
UA + KA = UB + KB
As, UA > UB,
KA < KB
Therefore, the speed of the electrons is more at B than at A.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A capacitor with no dielectric is connected to a battery at t = 0. Consider a point A in the connecting wires and a point B between the plates.
Explanation
As the capacitor is connected to the battery at t = 0, current flows through the wire up to the time the capacitor is charged. As the capacitor is completely charged, the potential difference across the capacitor is equal to the terminal potential of the battery. So, the current stops flowing and does not pass through the point between the plates of the capacitor, as there is no medium for the flow of charge.
Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:When no current is passed through a conductor, ______.
Explanation
When no current is passed through a conductor, the average of the velocities of all the free electrons at an instant is zero.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Which of the following quantities does not change when a resistor connected to a battery is heated due to the current?
Explanation
As the resistor connected to the battery is heated, the thermal energy of the electrons increases. Thus, the relaxation time of the electrons will decrease and so will the drift velocity. Resistivity is inversely proportional to the relaxation time; thus, resistivity will increase with decrease in relaxation time. Therefore, resistance will also change. The number of electrons in a resistor will remain same.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:As the temperature of a conductor increases, its resistivity and conductivity change. The ratio of resistivity to conductivity _______ .
Explanation
Resistivity (ρ) of a conductor is the reciprocal of the its conductivity(σ). Thus,
The ratio of the resistivity and the conductivity,
As resistivity increases with temperature, the square of resistivity will also increase. Hence, the ratio of resistivity and conductivity will increase with increase in temperature.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A current passes through a wire of non-uniform cross-section. Which of the following quantities are independent of the cross-section?
Explanation
Drift speed and current density are inversely proportional to the area of cross-section of a wire. Thus, they are dependent on the cross-section. The charge crossing in a given time interval is independent of the area of cross-section of the wire. Free electron density is the total number of free electrons per unit volume of the wire. The density of free electrons depends on the distribution of the free electrons throughout the volume of the wire. It does not depend on the cross-section of the wire.
*Multiple options can be correct
Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:Identify the correct options.
Explanation
The ammeter is connected in series in the circuit whose current is to be measured. If the net resistance of the ammeter is high, then the amount of current that the circuit draws will have error . So, we won't be able to accurately measure the amount of current that the circuit draws from the voltage source. Thus, it should have a small resistance.
To measure the potential difference across any circuit element, the voltmeter is connected in parallel to that circuit element. If the resistance of the voltmeter is large, then maximum voltage drop occurs across the voltmeter and it will measure the correct value of the potential.
*Multiple options can be correct
Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A capacitor of capacitance 500 μF is connected to a battery through a 10 kΩ resistor. The charge stored in the capacitor in the first 5 s is larger than the charge stored in the next.
Explanation
The charge (Q) on the capacitor at any instant t,
where
C = capacitance of the given capacitance
R = resistance of the resistor connected in series with the capacitor
RC = (10 × 103) × (500 × 10-6) = 5 s
The charge on the capacitor in the first 5 seconds,
The charge on the capacitor in the first 10 seconds,
Charge developed in the next 5 seconds,
Q' = Q1 - Q0
Q' = CV(0.864 - 0.632) = 0.232 CV
The charge on the capacitor in the first 55 seconds,
Charge developed in the next 50 seconds,
Q' = Q2 - Q0
Q' = CV(0.99 - 0.632) = 0.358 CV
Charge developed in the first 505 seconds,
Charge developed in the next 500 seconds,
Q' = CV (1 - 0.632) = 0.368 CV
Thus, the charge developed on the capacitor in the first 5 seconds is greater than the charge developed in the next 5,50, 500 seconds.
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Question for HC Verma Questions and Solutions: Chapter 32: Electric Current in Conductors- 1
Try yourself:A capacitor C1 of capacitance 1 μF and a capacitor C2 of capacitance 2 μF are separately charged by a common battery for a long time. The two capacitors are then separately discharged through equal resistors. Both the discharge circuits are connected at t = 0.