Electricity Class 10 Questions and Answers –

With Solutions
Question 1: Which of the following does not represent electrical
power in a circuit?

(a) I2R

(b) IR2

(c) VI

(d) V2/R

Answer 1: b) IR2

Explanation:

Electrical power is represented by the expression P = VI. (Equation 1)

According to Ohm’s law,

V = IR

Putting the value of V in ( Equation 1), we get

P = (IR) × I

P = I2R

Similarly, from Ohm’s law,

I = V/R

Putting the value of I in (Equation 1),

P = V × V/R = V2/R

It is thus clear that the equation IR2 does not represent electrical power in
a circuit. Electric power is the rate, per unit time, at which electrical
energy is transferred by an electric circuit.

Question 2: An electric bulb is rated 220 V and 100 W. When it is

operated on 110 V, the power consumed will be _____.

(a) 75 W

(b) 100 W
(c) 50 W

(d) 25 W

Answer 2: (d) 25 W

Explanation:

This expression demonstrates how much energy the electric bulb

consumes.

P = VI = V2/R

The given formula can be used to calculate the light bulb’s resistance:

R = V2/P

Putting the values, we get

R = (220)2/100 = 484 Ω

The resistance generally does not change when the voltage supply is
decreased. Consequently, the amount of electricity used can be
determined as follows:

P = V2/R

Putting the values, we get

P = (110)2 V/484 Ω = 25 W

As a result, the electric bulb uses 25 W of power when it is operating at

110 V.

Question 3: What is the maximum resistance which can be made

using five resistors each of 1/5 Ω?

(a) 5 Ω

(b) 10 Ω

(c) 1/5 Ω

(d) 1 Ω

Answer 3: (d) 1 Ω

Explanation: Resistance is maximum when resistors are connected in

series.
R= 15+15+15+15+15

= 55

= 1Ω

Question 4: If the current ‘I’ through a resistor is increased by

100% (assuming that the temperature remains unchanged), the
approximate increase in power dissipated will be

(a) 400 %

(b) 200 %

(c) 300 %

(d) 100 %

Answer 4: (c) 300 %

Explanation: The amount of heat produced by a resistor is inversely

proportional to the square of the current. Therefore, the loss of heat will
multiply by 2=4 when the current doubles. Accordingly, there will be a
300% increase.

Question 5: A piece of wire of resistance R is cut into five equal

parts. These parts are then arranged in parallel. If the equivalent
resistance of this combination is R′, then the ratio R/R′ is _____.

(a) 5

(b) 1/5

(c)1/25

(d) 25

Answer 5: d) 25

Explanation:

The resistance is divided into five halves, each of which has a resistance
of R/5.

Since we are aware that each component is linked to the others in

parallel, we can compute the equivalent resistance as follows:

1R’ = 5R + 5R + 5R + 5R +5R
= 5 + 5+ 5+ 5+ 5R = 25R

RR’ = 25

The ratio of R/R′ is 25.

Question 6: The correct representation of the series combination

of cells (Figure 12.4) obtaining maximum potential is

(a) (i)

(b) (ii)

(c) (iii)

(d) (iv)

Answer 6: (a)

A cell’s positive terminal needs to be connected to the neighbouring cell’s

negative terminal. The appropriate cell combination is represented by
case I.

Question 7: Two pieces of conducting wire of the same material

and of equal lengths and the equal diameters are first connected
in series and then changed to parallel in a circuit across the same
potential difference. The ratio of heat produced in both series and
parallel combinations would be _____.

(a) 1:2

(b) 4:1

(c) 1:4

(d) 2:1

Answer 7: (c)

Let Rs and Rp represent the wires’ respective equivalent resistances when

linked in series and parallel.

The ratio of the heat generated in the circuit is provided by

HsHp = V2Rs tV2Rpt = Rp Rs

The equivalent resistance (Rs) of resistors connected in series is R + R =

2R
The equivalent resistance (Rp) of resistors connected in
parallel is 1R + 1R = R2

Hence, the estimated ratio of the heat produced in series and parallel
combinations would be

HpHs = R22R = 14

Thus, the ratio of the heat produced is 1:4.

Question 8: What is the minimum resistance which can be made

using five resistors each of 1/5 Ω?

(a) 1/5 Ω

(b) 1/25 Ω

(c) 1/10 Ω

(d) 25 Ω

Answer 8: (b) 1/25 Ω

Explanation:

Resistance is the minimum when resistors are connected in parallel

1R= 5 + 5 + 5 +5 +5= 25 Ω

R=125Ω

Question 9: A person carries out an experiment and thus plots the

V-I graph of three taken samples of nichrome wire with different
resistances R1, R2 and R3, respectively (Figure.12.5). Which one
of the following is true?

(a) R1 = R2 = R3

(b) R1 > R2 > R3

(c) R3 > R2 > R1

(d) R2 > R3 > R1

Answer 9: (c)

The graph’s slope is 1R because the current (I) is plotted on the y-axis,
and the potential difference (V) is plotted on the x-axis. It implies that the
less resistance, the steeper the slope. R1 will therefore be the minimum
and R3 the maximum.

Question 10: Two resistors of resistance 2 Ω and 4 Ω, when

connected to a battery, will have

(a) the same potential difference across them when connected in

series

(b) same current flowing through them when connected in series

(c) same current flowing through them when connected in parallel

(d) different p

Answer 10: (b) same current flowing through them when connected in
series

Explanation:

Since the resistor gets a common current in a series arrangement, the

current is not split into branches.

Question 11: What does an electric circuit mean?

Answer 11: An electric circuit is a continuous, closed path or loop

composed of electronic components through which an electric current
flows. Conductors, cells, Switch, and Load are the components of a simple
circuit.

Question 12: An electric lamp of 100 Ω, a toaster of resistance 50

Ω and a water filter of resistance 500 Ω resistances are connected
in parallel to a 220 V source. What is the resistance of an electric
iron connected to the same source that takes as much current as
all three appliances, and what is the current that flows through
it?

Answer 12:

R1 = 100 , R2 = 50 , R3 = 500

All the devices are in parallel, so

1R = 1R1 + 1R2 + 1R3

1R = 1100 + 150 + 1500 = 5 + 10 + 1500 = 16500

R = 50016 = 1254
Current, through all the appliances

I = VR = 2201254 = 220 X 4125 = 7.04 A

Now, if only electric iron is connected to the same source such that it
takes as much current as taken by all three appliances, i.e. I = 7.04 A, its
resistance should be equal to 1254, i.e. 31.25 .

Question 13: How is the resistivity of alloys compared with those

of pure metals from which they may have been formed?

Answer 13: An alloy often has a higher resistivity than the individual
metals that make up the alloy.

Question 14: Write the relation between the resistance (R) of the
filament of a bulb, its power (P) and a constant voltage V applied
across it.

Answer 14: The relation between resistance (R) of the filament of a bulb,
its power (P) and a constant voltage V applied across it can be
represented as follows:

P = V2R

Question 15: How does the use of a fuse wire protect electrical
appliances?

Answer 15: Compared to the main wiring, the fuse wire has a high
resistance. Whenever there is an abrupt surge in electric current, the
circuit is broken by melting fuse wire. This keeps electrical equipment
from being damaged.

Question 16: Why are copper wires used as connecting wires?

Answer 16: Copper wires are used as the connecting wires because, in
the case of copper, the electrical resistivity for it is low. It is ductile,
inexpensive and it is an excellent electrical conductor.

Question 17: Define the SI unit of current.

Answer 17: The SI unit of current is ampere. An ampere is defined by the

flow of one coulomb of Charge per second.

Question 18: How can three resistors of resistances 2 Ω, 3 Ω and

6 Ω be connected to give a total resistance of (a) 4 Ω (b) 1 Ω?

Answer 18: In order to get 4 Ω, resistance 2 Ω should be connected in

series with the parallel combination of 3 Ω and 6 Ω.
1RCD = 13 + 16= 2 + 16

= 36 = 12

RCD = 2 , RAB= 2

RAD = RAB + RCD

=2+2=4

Therefore, the total resistance of the circuit is R= 4

(b) In order to get 1 , all three resistors should be connected in parallel

as

1R = 12 + 13 + 16= 3 + 2+ 16 = 1

Therefore, the net equivalent resistance of the circuit is R= 1

Question 19: A rectangular block of iron has dimensions L x L x b.

What will be the resistance of the block measured between the
two square ends? Given p resistivity.

Answer 19: We have given that a rectangular block of iron has

dimensions l x l x b. We need to find the resistance of the block measured
between the two square ends.

The resistance is given by the below formula as follows :

R = LA

L is length of block

A is area of cross section

In this case,

Length of the rectangular block is l and area of block is l x b. So,

resistance of the block measured between the two square ends is :

R = ll x b

R=b

So, the resistance of the block measured between the two square ends is
R = b.

Question 20: Ammeter burns out when connected in parallel. Give

reasons.
Answer 20: When a low resistance wire is connected in parallel, a huge
quantity of current travels through it, causing it to be either burned out or
short-circuited.

Question 21: Should the resistance of an ammeter be low or high?

Give reason(s).

Answer 21: The resistance of an ammeter should be zero, as the

ammeter should not affect the flow of current in a circuit.

Question 22: Why does the connecting rod of an electric heater

not glow, but the heating element does?

Answer 22: As the resistance of the connecting rod is lower than that of
the heating element, the connecting rod of an electric heater does not
glow. Thus, the heating element produces more heat than the connecting
cord, and it glows.

Question 23: The power of a lamp is 60 W. Find the energy in

joules consumed by it in 1s.

Answer 23: Here, given the power of the lamp, P = 60 W time,

t= 1 s

So, energy consumed = power x time = (60 x 1) J = 60 J

Question 24: A wire of resistivity ‘p’ is stretched to double its

length. What will be its new resistivity?

Answer 24: When a wire of resistivity p is stretched to double its length,

then the new resistivity tends to remain the same because resistivity
depends on the nature of the material.

Question 25: What is the resistance of any connecting wire?

Answer 25: The resistance of the connecting wire made of a good

conductor is extremely low and they are assumed to have zero resistance.
So, less heat is produced in them and they can be easily used in
connections.

Question 26: A number of n resistors each of resistance ‘R’ are

first connected in series and then in parallel connection. What is
the ratio of the total effective resistance of the circuit in series
combination and parallel combination?

Answer 26: Total effective resistance of the circuit in series combination

Rs = nR
And for parallel combination is Rp = Rn and

RsRp = nRRn

= n2

The ratio will be n2.

Question 27: Calculate the total number of electrons constituting

one coulomb of charge.

Answer 27:

We know,

The Charge of an electron = 1.6 × 10-19 C.

According to the concept of charge quantisation,

Q = nqe, where we suppose ‘n’ is the number of electrons and similarly

‘qe’ is the Charge of the electron.

Substituting these values in the said equation, the number of electrons

constituting one coulomb of Charge can be calculated as follows:

1C = n X 1.6 X 10-19

n= 11.6 X 10-19 = 6.25 X 1018

Therefore, the number of electrons in one coulomb of Charge = 6. 25 ×

1018.

Question 28: How much current will an electric iron draw from a
220 V source if the resistance of its element when hot is 55
ohms? Calculate the wattage of the electric iron when it operates
on 220 volts.

Answer 28:

Here, V = 220V , R = 55

By Ohm’s law, V = IR

Therefore, 220 = 7 x 55 or I = 4A

The wattage of electric iron = Power

= V2R = (220)255 = 880 W

Question 29: A current of 1 ampere flows in a circuit of series
connection containing an electric lamp and a conductor of 5 Ω
and connected to a 10 V battery. Calculate the resistance of the
given electric lamp.

Therefore, if the resistance of 10 Ω is connected in parallel with

this series combination, what type of change (if any) in current
flowing through the 5 Ω conductor and potential difference across
the lamp will take place? Give reasons.

Answer 29:

Let Rlamp represent the resistance of the lamp.

Current (I) = 1 A

Resistance of conductor (Rconductor) = 5 Ω

The potential difference of battery (V) = 10 V

Given that the lamp and conductor are linked in series, the same amount
of current 1 A will flow through them both.

Using Ohm’s law,

Rnet = VI

Rnet =101

Rnet = 10

We know, in series connection

Rnet = Rlamp + RConductor

10 = Rlamp + 5

Rlamp = 5

The potential difference across lamps,

Rlamp = I x Rlamp

= 1x 5 = 5 V

When a resistor of 10 Ω resistor connected parallel to the series

combination of lamp and conductor

( Rnet = 5 + 5 = 10 ) then the equivalent resistance,

1Req = 110 + 110 = 210 = 15

Req = 5

Using Ohm’s law,

I’= VReq

I’= 105

I’= 2A

Equal distribution of current will occur in two parallel parts.

Thus, I’/2 = 1A current will pass through both the lamp and the resistor of
5 (because they are connected in series).

The potential difference across the lamp (Rlamp = 5 ).

V’lamp = 1×5 = 5 V

Therefore, the current flowing through the conductor of resistance 5 and

the potential difference across the bulb won’t change.

Question 30: What is electrical resistivity? In a particular series

electrical circuit comprising a resistor made up of a metallic wire,
the ammeter generally reads 5 A. The previous reading of the
ammeter decreases to half in case the length of the wire is
doubled. Why?

Answer 30: Resistivity is a property of a conductor that prevents the flow

of electric current. A specific material has a particular resistance.
Resistance is inversely proportional to current flow and directly
proportional to conductor length.

When the length is doubled, the resistance doubles and the current flow is
reduced by half. This is what’s causing the ammeter value to drop.

Question 31: (i) List the three factors on which the resistance of a
conductor depends.

(ii) Write the SI unit of resistivity.

Answer 31: (i) A conductor’s resistance is influenced by the following

factors:

(1) Length of the conductor: The resistance (R) will increase as the
conductor’s length (I) increases.
R∝I

(2) Area of the cross-section of the conductor: (as the cross-sectional area
of the conductor increases, the resistance decreases.

R ∝ 1A

(3) Nature of conductor.

(ii) SI unit of resistivity is Ω m.

Question 32: An electric bulb which is connected to a 220 V

generator and the current is 2.5 A. Calculate the power of the
bulb.

Answer 32: Here, V= 220 V, I = 2.5 A

Given, Power of the bulb, P = VI = 220 × 2.5 W = 550 W

Question 33: Name a device that helps to maintain a potential

difference across a conductor.

Answer 33: One of the devices that aid in maintaining a potential

difference across a conductor is a battery, which can consist of one or
more electric cells.

Question 34: What is the resistance of an ammeter?

Answer 34: An ammeter’s resistance generally is very minimal, and in an

ideal ammeter, it is zero.

Question 35: What is the resistance of a voltmeter?

Answer 35: The resistance of a voltmeter is ideally infinite resistance.

Question 36: What is the commercial unit of electrical energy?

Represent it in terms of joules.

Answer 36: The commercial unit of electrical energy is kilowatt/hr

1 kW/hr = 1 kW h

= 1000 W × 60 × 60s

= 3.6 × 106 J

Question 37: Explain two disadvantages of series arrangement for

a household circuit.
Answer 37: The two drawbacks of series circuits for household wiring
are:

 If one electrical appliance in a series circuit stops functioning for any

reason, the entire circuit will break, and all other electrical
appliances will also stop functioning.
 Because there is only one switch for every electrical device in a
series circuit, they cannot be turned on or off independently.
Question 38: What is meant by the saying that the potential
difference between two points is 1 V?

Answer 38: The potential difference between two points is 1V when 1 J of

work is done to move a 1 C of Charge from one location to the other.

Question 39: Two equal wires of equal cross-sectional area, one of

copper and the other of manganin , have the same resistance.
Which one will be longer?

Answer 39: Using the equation, = RAI, where is the resistivity, R is the
resistance, and A is the area.

Resistance of Copper wire = 1l1A

Resistance of Manganin wire = 2l2A

1l1 = 2l2 (As lis constant)

Since 1 <<< 2

So, l1>>>>l2

I.e. Copper wire would be longer.

Question 40: Three equal resistances are connected in series and

then in parallel. What will be the ratio of their change in
resistances?

Answer 40: When connected in series, Resistance Rseries = R+R+R=

3R

When connected in parallel, Resistance Rparallel = R/3

Ratio of change in resistances= RseriesRparallel = 3RR/3

Therefore, the ratio of change in resistances is 9:1

Question 41: State Ohm’s law? How can it be verified

experimentally? Does it hold good under all conditions? Comment.
Answer 41:

According to Ohm’s law, the potential difference (voltage) across an ideal

conductor is proportional to the current flowing through it at a given
temperature.

I.e. V/I = R

Verification of Ohm’s law

Make the circuit indicated in Fig., which consists of four 1.5 V cells, an
ammeter, a voltmeter, and a nichrome wire of length XY, say, 0.5 m. (The
metals nickel, chromium, manganese, and iron make up the alloy known
as nichrome.)

Start by using a single cell as the circuit’s source. Take note of the
ammeter’s reading for current (I) and the voltmeter’s reading (V) for the
potential difference across the nichrome wire ‘XY’ in the circuit. Add them
to the table provided.

Connect two batteries to the circuit next, and then note the ammeter and
voltmeter readings for the current flowing through the nichrome wire and
the potential difference across the nichrome wire values, respectively.

Use three cells in the circuit first, then four cells, and repeat the process
above for each group of cells.

Question 42: If there are 3 x 1011 electrons flowing through the

filament of the bulb for two minutes. Find the current flowing
through the circuit. Charge on one electron 1.6 x 1019 C.

Answer 42:

Using the equation, q = ne

= 3 x 1011 x 1.6 x 1019 C

= 4.8 x 108 C

I = q/t

=4.8 x 1082 x 60

= 4 x 107 A

The current flowing through the electric circuit is 4 x 107 A.

Question 43: Three resistors of 5 Ω, 10 Ω and 15 Ω are connected

in series, and the entire combination is connected to a battery of
30 V. Ammeter and Voltmeter are connected in the circuit. Draw a
circuit diagram to connect all the devices in the proper, correct
order. What is the current flowing and potential difference across
10 Ω resistance?

Answer 43:

Given, Total resistance, R = R1 + R2 + R3 = 5 + 10 + 15 = 30Ω

Total potential difference, V = 30 volts

According to Ohm’s law,

V = IR ⇒ I = VR = 3030 = 1 ampere

∴ Current remains constant in this series,

∴ I1 = I2 = I3 = I;

I2 = 1amp;

R2 = 10Ω;

As V2 = I2

R2 = 1 × 10 = 10 volts

∴ The potential difference across the 10 Ω is 10 volts.

Question 44: If an electric heater rated 800 W operates 6h/day.

Find the Cost of energy to operate it for 30 days at ₹3.00 per unit
of consumption.

Answer 44:

Here, the Power of the heater, P = 800 W;

Time, t = 6 hour/day;

No. of days, n = 30;

Cost per unit = ₹3.00;

Thus, Consumed in 1 day = 800 × 6 = 4800 Wh

And, Energy consumed in 30 days = 4800 × 30 = 144000 Wh

1440001000 = kWh = 144 units

Now, the Cost of 1 unit = ₹3

Therefore, Cost of 144 units = 3 × 144 = ₹432

Question 45: What is the electrical resistivity of a given material?

What is its unit? Discuss an experiment to study the factors on
which the resistance of conducting wire depends.

Answer 45: Resistivity is an inherent property of a conductor that resists

the flow of electric current. The resistivity of each material is unique.

The SI unit of resistance is Ω m.

Experiment to study the depending factors of the resistance of

conducting wire.

A nichrome wire, a torch, a 10 W bulb, an ammeter (0–5 A range), a plug

key, and some connecting wires are needed.

As illustrated in the figure, assemble the circuit by connecting four 1.5 V

dry batteries in series with the ammeter, thereby leaving a gap XY in the
circuit.

Observation:

Resistance depends on the length of the conductor, the material of the

conductor, and the area of the cross-section.

Connecting the nichrome wire in the XY gap completes the circuit. Insert
the key. The ammeter reading should be noted. From the plug, remove
the key. [Remember: After measuring the current flowing through the
circuit, always remove the key from the plug.]

Replace the nichrome wire in the circuit with the torch bulb, and then
determine the current flowing through it by measuring the ammeter’s
reading.

Repeat the previous process now using the 10 W bulb in the XY gap. Are
there variations in the ammeter readings for the various components
connected in the gap XY? What do the aforementioned observations
suggest?

By leaving any material component in the gap, you are able to repeat this
activity. Watch the ammeter values for each situation. Analyse the results.

Question 46: Calculate the resistance of a given metal wire of

length 2m and area of cross-section 1.55 × 106 m² if the
resistivity of the metal is taken to be 2.8 × 10-8 Ωm.
Answer 46: For the given metal wire,

Length, l= 2 m

Area of cross-section, A= 1.55 X 10 -6 m2

Resistivity of the metal, p = 2.8 X 10 -8 m

Since, resistance, R = lA

So, R = (2.8 X 10 -8 X 21.55 X 10 -6)

= 5.61.55 X 10 -2

= 3.6 X 10 -2

Therefore, R = 0.036

Question 47: When will current flow more easily through a thick
wire or a thin wire of the same material when connected to the
same source? Why?

Answer 47:

Resistance is represented by the equation,

R = ρ l/A

where,

ρ is the resistivity of the wire material,

l is the wire

length

A is the cross-sectional area of the wire.

It is clear from the equation that the resistance is inversely proportional to

the area of the wire cross-section. Therefore, the resistance increases with
wire thickness and vice versa. Therefore, a thick wire conducts current
more readily than a thin wire.

Question 48: What is represented by joule/coulomb?

Answer 48: The potential difference is represented by the joule/coulomb.

Question 49: A nichrome wire of resistivity 100 W m and copper

wire of resistivity 1.62 ohm -m of the same length and same area
of the cross-section are connected in series, and current is
passed through them. Why does the nichrome wire get heated
first?

Answer 49: Looking at the equation

Q = I2RT

Q= I2 (pL / A)t

Nichrome wire gets heated first because it has a higher resistance than
copper wire.

Question 50: Three 2 Ω resistors, A, B and C, are connected as

shown in Figure 12.7. Each of them dissipates energy and thus
can withstand a maximum power of 18 W without melting. Find
the maximum current that can flow through the three resistors.

Answer 50:

P = I2R

Where,

P = Potential difference

I = Current

R = Resistance

For resistor A,

18 = I2 x 2

I2 = 182

I2 = 9

I=3A

This is the maximum known current flowing through resistor A.

The maximum known current flowing through the resistors B and C, I’= 3
x 12 = 1.5 A.

Question 51: How will you infer, with the help of an experiment,
that the same current flows through each and every part of the
circuit containing three resistances in series connected to a
battery?
Answer 51:

You can collect three resistors, R1, R2, and R3, in series to
make the circuit.
 Then use an ammeter to observe the changes in the overall
current flow.
 You can remove R1 and take the readings of the potential
difference of R2 and R3.
 You can remove R2 and take the reading of the potential
difference between R1 and R3.
Observation:

Since the ammeter reading was the same in each case, it can be assumed
that the circuit’s current is constant. One can set up an ammeter in
several places and watch the current flow to double-check.

Question 52: Calculate the estimated resistivity of the material of

a wire of length 1 m, radius 0.01 cm and resistance of 20 ohms.

Answer 52: 3.14 X (10 -4)2 m2

Given,

length of the wire, l = 1 m,

radius of the wire, r = 0.01 cm = 1 × 10-4 m and

given resistance, R = 20Ω

We know,

R = lA, where is the resistivity of the material of the wire.

20 = lr2 = 1 m3.14 X (10 -4)2 m2

Therefore, = 6.28 X 10 -7 m

Question 53: A charge of 2 C moves between two plates,

maintained at a potential difference of IV. What is the energy
acquired by the Charge?

Answer 53: The energy acquired by the Charge, W = QV

Therefore, the energy acquired is 2 J.

Question 54: Let the resistance of an electrical component

remains constant while the potential difference across the two
ends of the component decreases to half of its former value.
What change will occur in the current through it?
Answer 54:

Ohm’s law is used to calculate how the current flow changes through an
electrical component.

Ohm’s law states that

I = V/R, which gives the current.

The potential difference is now divided in half while maintaining the same
resistance,

Let V’ = V/2 be the new voltage.

Let R’ = R be the new resistance, and the new amount of current be I’.

Ohm’s law is thus used to calculate the current change as shown below:

I’ = V’R’ = ( V2)R = 12VR = 12

As a result, the electrical component’s current is reduced by half,keeping

resistance constant.

Question 55: What is the overloading of an electrical circuit?

Explain two possible causes due to which overloading might occur
in any household circuit. Explain one precaution, if any, that
should be taken to avoid the overloading of a domestic electric
circuit.

Answer 55:

Overloading: The power ratings of the appliances being utilised at a

given moment determine the current flowing in household wiring.
Electrical appliances with high power ratings take a tremendous amount
of electricity from the circuit if too many of them are turned on at once.
The overloading of the circuit takes place. . The copper wires in residential
circuits get heated up due to extremely high temperatures and can
immediately catch fire as a result of heavy currents running through
them.

Precaution: As a result, overloading can seriously harm buildings and

electrical equipment. To prevent these damages, a fuse with the
appropriate rating must be used. Such a fuse wire will melt before the
heated circuit wire’s temperature rises to a point where it breaks the
circuit.

Question 56: What is Joule’s heating effect? How can it be

demonstrated experimentally? List its four applications in daily
life.
Answer 56:

According to the Joule’s heating effect, the heat produced in a resistor is

known to be

1. (i) Directly proportional to the square of current for the given

resistor.
2. (ii) Directly proportional to the resistance for a given current,
3. (iii) Directly proportional to the time of current flowing through the
resistor.
It can be expressed as H = I2Rt

‘H’ is the heating effect, ‘I’ is the electric current, ‘R’ is resistance, and ‘t’
is time.

Experiment to demonstrate Joule’s law of heating

Take an immersion rod for water heating and attach it to a

regulator-connected socket. It’s crucial to keep in mind that a
regulator regulates how much current flows through a gadget.
 Keep the regulator’s pointer at the lowest setting and time how long
it takes the immersion rod to heat a specific volume of water.
 Increase the regulator’s pointer to the following level. Time the
same quantity of water heating with an immersion rod.
 To measure higher amounts of the regulator, repeat the previous
step.
Observation:

It has been observed that it takes less time to heat the same amount of
water with an increasing electric current. This illustrates the Joule’s Law of
Heating.

Application:

Electric appliances like toasters, ovens, kettles, and heaters operate using
the leafing effect of current.

Question 57: Why are the coils of electric toasters and irons
made of an alloy rather than any pure metal.Give reason(s).

Answer 57:

Due to its high resistivity, an alloy has a substantially higher melting point
than a pure metal. Alloys are resistant to melting when temperatures are
high. As a result, alloys are utilised in heating devices like electric toasters
and irons.

Question 58: Name a device that helps to maintain a potential

difference across a conductor in a circuit. When do we say that
the potential difference across a conductor is 1 volt? Calculate
the amount of work done in shifting a charge of 2 coulombs from
a point A to B having potential +10V and -5V, respectively.

Answer 58: In a circuit, a battery (or cell) aids in maintaining the

potential difference across a conductor.

If 1 joule of labour is expended in transporting 1 coulomb of electrical

charge from one location to the other, the potential difference between
the two points is said to be 1 volt.

Given, Charge, Q = 2C

Potential at A = +10 V, Potential at B = -5V

Potential difference, (V) = +10 – (-5) = 10 + 5 = 15 volts

V = wq

15 = w2

W = 15 × 2 = 30 J

Question 59: Which is a better conductor among iron and

mercury?

Answer 59: Iron is a better conductor than mercury because the

resistivity of mercury is more than the resistivity of iron.

Question 60: Which has more resistance, 100 W bulb or 60 W

bulb?

Answer 60: As it is clearly known that R 1P, the resistance of the 60 W

bulb is more.

Question 61: Find the equivalent resistance when the following

are connected in parallel – (a) 1 Ω and 106 Ω, (b) 1 Ω, 103 Ω, and
106 Ω.

Answer 61: (a) When 1 Ω and 106 Ω when connected in parallel gives
the 106equivalent resistance as follows:

1R = 11 + 1106

R= 1061+ 106 106106 = 1

Therefore, the equivalent resistance is 1 Ω. 1+ 106

(b) When 1 Ω, 103 Ω, and 106 Ω are in parallel, the equivalent resistance
is given by

1R = 11 + 1103 + 1106

Solving, we get

R = 106 + 103 +1 106 = 10000001000001 = 0.999

Therefore, the equivalent resistance is 0.999 Ω.

Question 62: What are the benefits of connecting electrical

devices in parallel with the battery instead of connecting them in
series?

Answer 62:

There is no voltage division among the appliances when the electrical

devices are connected in parallel. The supply voltage is equal to the
potential difference across the devices. Devices connected in parallel
lower the circuit’s effective resistance as well.

Question 63: Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow
while the heating element does?

Answer 63: An electric heater’s heating element is constructed from a

high-resistance alloy. The heating element glows red and gets excessively
hot when the electricity passes through it. Typically, copper or aluminium,
which have low resistance, is used to make the rope. Consequently, the
cord doesn’t glow.

Question 64: Discuss the heat generated while transferring 96000

coulombs of Charge in one hour through a potential difference of
50 V.

Answer 64: According to Joule’s law, the heat produced can be

calculated as follows:

H = VIt

where assuming,

voltage, V = 50 V

I will be current

t be the time in seconds, 1 hour = 3600 seconds

The amount of current is calculated as follows:

Amount of Current = Amount of ChargeTime flow of Charge

Substituting the value, we get

I = 960003600 = 26.66 A

Now, to find the heat generated

H = 50 X 26.66 X 3600 = 4.8 X 106 J

Therefore, the heat generated is 4.8 X 106 J

Question 65: An electric iron of resistance 20 Ω draws a current of

5 A. Calculate the heat developed in 30 s.

Answer 65: The Joule’s law of heating, which is represented by the

equation, can be used to determine how the heat is produced as follows:

H = VIt

Putting the data in the above equation, we get,

H = 100 × 5 × 30 = 15,000 J

The amount of heat produced by the electric iron in 30 s is 15,000 J.

Question 66: What factors determine the rate at which energy is

delivered by a current?

Answer 66: Electric power is the rate at which electric equipment uses
electricity. Therefore, the power of the appliance is defined as the rate at
which energy is delivered by a current.

Question 67: How is the connection of a voltmeter made in the

circuit to measure the potential difference between two points?

Answer 67: The voltmeter should be connected in parallel to each of the

two points in order to measure the voltage between any two points.

Question 68: Draw a circuit taking an ammeter to measure the

current through the resistors and a voltmeter to measure the
voltage across the resistor of 12 ohm. What would be the new
reading in the ammeter and the voltmeter?

Answer 68:

Let us take the total resistance of the circuit = R

The equivalent resistance R is equal to the total resistance because all
three resistors are connected in series.

R = 5 Ω + 8 Ω + 12 Ω = 25 Ω

Therefore,

V = 2V + 2V + 2V = 6V

V =IR

I = VR = 625 = 0.24 A

The reading of the voltmeter across R’ = 12 Ω is

V’ = IR’

= 0.24 X 12 = 2.88 V

Question 69: Find the following in the electric circuit given in

Figure 12.9

(a) Effective resistance of the two 8 Ω resistors in the given

combination

(b) Current flowing through the resistor of 4 Ω

(c) Potential difference across the resistance of 4 Ω

(d) Power dissipated in a resistor of 4 Ω (e) Difference in

ammeter readings, if any

Answer 69: (i) Since two 8 resistors are in parallel, then their effective
resistance Rp is given by

1Rp = 1R1+ 1R2 = 18 + 18 = 14

Rp = 4

(ii) Total resistance in the circuit

R = 4 + Rp = 4 + 4 + 8

Current, through the circuit,

I = VR = 88 = 1 A

Thus, the current through the 4 resistor is 1 A as 4 and Rp are in series

and the same current flows through them.
(iii) Potential difference across 4 resistor is potential drop by the
4 resistor.

i.e. V = IR = 1 X 4 = 4 V

(iv) Power dissipated in 4 resistor

P = I2 R = 12 X 4 = 4 W

(v) There is no difference in the reading of ammeters A1 and A2 as the

same current flows through all elements in a series current.

Question 70: A copper wire having a diameter of 0.5 mm and

resistivity of 1.6 × 10–8 Ω m. What will be the length of the wire
to make its resistance 10 Ω? How much will the resistance change
if the diameter is doubled?

Answer 70: The formula provides the resistance of a copper wire with a
cross-sectional area of m2 and a length in metres.

R = lA

The area of the cross-section of the wire is calculated as follows

A = (Diameter2)2

Substituting the values in the formula, we get

l = RA = 10 X 3.14 X (0.000522) 1.6 X 10 -18 = 10 X 3.14 X 254 X 1.6 =

122.72 m

The new diameter of the wire is 1mm, or 0.001m when the wire’s
diameter is doubled. Therefore, the resistance can be calculated as
follows:

R = lA = 1.6 X 10 -18 X 122.72 m (0.0012)2 = 250.2 X 10-2 = 2.5

The new resistance is 2.5 , and the wire’s length is 122.72 m.

Question 71: Difference features between Overloading and Short-

circuiting in Domestic circuits

Answer 71:

Overloading: Overloading occurs when a circuit is used by too many

electrical devices with high power ratings that are switched on
simultaneously.
The copper wire used in domestic wiring heats up to an exceedingly high
temperature as a result of an excessively high current running through
the circuit, and a fire may subsequently ignite.

Short-circuiting: Short-circuiting is a direct result of touching bare live

and neutral wires. Because the circuit’s resistance is so low in this
situation, a lot of current passes through it, heating the wires to a high
temperature and possibly igniting a wire. .

Question 72: When a battery of 12 V is connected across an

unknown resistor, there is a current flow of 2.5 mA in the electric
circuit. Find the resistance of the resistor.

Answer 72: Using Ohm’s Law, the resistor’s value can be determined as
follows:

R = VI

Putting the data in the equation, we get

R = 122.5 X 10 -8 = 4.8 X 103 = 4.8

Question 73: Three resistors of 10 Ω, 15 Ω and 5 Ω are connected

in parallel. Find their equivalent resistance.

Answer 73:

Here, R1 = 10, R2 = 15, R3 = 5

In a parallel connection, equivalent resistance ( Req) is given by

1Req = 1R1 + 1R2 + 1R3

So, 1Req = 110 + 115 + 15

1Req = 3+ 2+630 = 1130

Therefore, Req = 3011 = 2.73

Question 74: A battery of 9 V is connected in a series system with

resistors of 0.2 Ω, 0.3 Ω, 0.4 Ω, 0.5 Ω and 12 Ω, respectively.
What quantity of current would flow through the 12 Ω resistor?

Answer 74: There is no existing division in a series connection. An equal

amount of current travels across each resistor.

We apply Ohm’s law to determine the amount of current passing through

the resistors.
Let’s

first determine the equivalent resistance in the manner described below:

R = 0.2 Ω + 0.3 Ω + 0.4 Ω + 0.5 Ω + 12 Ω = 13.4 Ω

Using Ohm’s law,

I = VR = 9V13.4 = 0.671 A

The current flowing across the 12 Ω resistor is 0.671 A.

Question 75: Suppose the resistance of an electrical component

remains constant, and the potential difference across the two
ends of the component decreases to half of its earlier value. What
type of change will occur in the current through it?

Answer 75:

Knowing that,

I = VR

If, V’ = V2

If I’ = V‘R = V2R = 12

As a result, an electrical component’s current reduces by half of what it

was.

Question 76: Two same resistors are first connected in series and
then in parallel. Find the ratio of equivalent resistance in both
cases.

Answer 76:

Let the resistance of each resistor be R.

For series combination,

Rs = R1+ R2

So, Rs = R + R = 2R

For parallel combination,

1Rp = 1R1 + 1R2 or Rp = R1 R2R1 + R2

So, Rp = R x RR + R = R2
Required Ratio = RsRp = 2RR/2 = 4 : 1

Question 77: Explain the use of an electric fuse. What type of

material is used for fuse wire and why?

Answer 77: Electric fuses guard against the very high electric current by
blocking it from flowing into circuits and appliances. It is composed of a
wire formed of a metal or alloy with an appropriate melting point, such as
lead, copper, iron, or aluminium. The temperature of the fuse wire rises if
a current more than the allowed amount runs through the circuit. The fuse
wire melts, as a result, breaking the circuit.

Question 78: When an electric current flows through a conductor,

it tends to become hot. Justify.List the factors on which the heat
produced in a conductor depends. State Joule’s law of heating.
How will the heat produced in an electric circuit be affected by
this if the resistance in the circuit is doubled for the same
current?

Answer 78: A conductor heats up when an electric current is carried

through it. This is referred to as the current heating effect. The electrical
energy is converted into heat energy to produce the heating effect of
current. An electrical energy source is a cell or battery. The potential
difference between the two terminals of the cell is created by the
chemical reaction within, which causes the electrons to move and for
current to flow through a resistor. The source must continue using up its
energy. While maintaining the current, some of the source energy may be
used for productive activity, while the remaining source energy may be
used to generate heat.

Question 79: How many 176 Ω resistors (in parallel) are required
to carry 5 A on a 220 V line?

Answer 79: Let ‘x’ be the number of resistors required.

The equivalent resistance of the resistor R in the parallel combination is

given by

1R =x X 1176 = R = 176x

Now, using Ohm’s law. The number of resistors can be calculated as

follows:

R = VI

Substituting the values, we get

176x = VI
x = 176 X 5220 = 4

The number of resistors required is 4.

Question 80: Two wires of the same material and same length
have radii R and r. Compare their resistances.

Answer 80: Suppose R and r are resistances, then R = r as p and I are

the same.

Question 81: Several electric bulbs designed and are supposed to

be used on a 220 V electric supply line are rated 10 W. How many
such lamps can be connected in parallel together across the two
wires of a 220 V supply line if the maximum allowable current is 5
A?

Answer 81: The resistance of the bulb is calculated as follows:

P1 = V2/R1

R1 = V2/P1

Substituting the values, we get

R = (220)210 = 4840

The resistance of x number of electric bulbs is calculated as follows:

R = VI = 2205 = 44

The resistance of each electric bulb is 4840 .

The equivalent resistance of x bulbs is given by

1R = 1R1 + 1R1 + 1R1+ ………up to x times

1R= 1R1 X x

x = R1R = 484044 = 110

Hence, 110 lamps can be connected together in parallel.

Question 82: A fuse wire melts at 5 A. If it is desired that the fuse

wire of the same material melt at 10 A, then in your opinion
whether the new fuse wire should be of a smaller or larger radius
than the earlier one? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 82: Let R be the resistance of the wire; the heat produced in the
fuse at 5A is
H = (5)2 R (H – I2 R t)

Fue melts at (5)2 R joules of heat

Let R’ be the resistance of the new wire

So, the heat produced in 1 second =(10)2 R’

To prevent it from melting

(5)2 R = (10)2R’ or R’ = R4

As R 1A

Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the new fuse wire is four times the
first fuse.

Now, A = r2, so the new radius is twice as large as the old one. The new
fuse wire, which is the same material and length as the old one, has a
greater radius at 10 A.

Question 83: How many bulbs of 81 should be joined in parallel to

draw a current of 2 A from a battery of 4V?

Answer 83:

R = V/ I

= 4/2

=2

Let n be the number of bulbs.

1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +………………+ 1/Rn = n8

12 = n8

n=4

The number of bulbs is 4.

Question 84: When will current flow more easily: through a thick
wire or a thin wire of the same material, when connected to the
same electric source? Why?

Answer 84: A thick wire connected to the same source conducts current
more easily than a short wire made of the same material. As thickness
reduces, resistance increases.
Question 85: A hot plate of an electric oven connected to a 220 V
supply line has two resistance coils such as A and B, each of 24 Ω
resistance, which may be used separately, in series, or in parallel.
What will be the currents in the three cases?

Answer 85:

Case (i) When coils are used separately

By using Ohm’s law, we will be able to find the current flowing through
each coil as follows:

I = VR

Substituting the values, we get

I = 220 V24 = 9.166 A

When used individually, each resistor allows 9.166 A of current to pass

through it.

Case (ii) When the coils are connected in series

The total resistance is 24 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω in the series circuit

The current flowing through this series circuit is calculated as follows:

I = VR = 220 V48 = 4.58 A

Therefore, a current of 4.58 A will flow through the circuit in series.

Case (iii) When the coils are in parallel

connection,

the equivalent resistance is calculated as follows:

R = 24 X 2424 + 24 = 57648 = 12

By using Ohm’s law, the current flowing through the parallel circuit is
given by

I = VR = 22012 = 18.33 A

The current is 18.33 A in the parallel circuit.

Question 86: What happens to the current in a circuit if its

resistance is doubled?
Answer 86: As current and resistance are inversely proportional, the
current is reduced to half of its previous value.

Question 87: Let the resistance of a component of electric current

remain constant while the potential difference across the two
ends of the component decreases to half of its earlier value. What
type of change will occur in the current through it?

Answer 87: A thick wire connected to the same source conducts current
more easily than a short wire made of the same material. As thickness
reduces, resistance increases.

Question 88: Compare the power consumed in the 2 Ω resistor in

each of the following circuit conditions: (i) a 6 V battery in series
connection with 1 Ω and 2 Ω resistors, and (ii) a 4 V battery in
parallel connection with 12 Ω and 2 Ω resistors.

Answer 88: (i) Since the resistors 1 Ω and 2 Ω are connected in series,
and there is a 6 V potential difference, their equivalent resistance is given
by 1 Ω + 2 Ω = 3 Ω. Using Ohm’s law, the following formula is used to
determine the circuit’s current:

I = VR = 63 = 2 A

2 A current will flow across all the components in the circuit because there
is no division of current in a circuit of series connection.

The power in the 2 resistor is calculated as follows:

P = I2R = (2)2 X 2 = 8 W

Thus, the power consumed by the 2 Ω resistor is 8 W.

(ii) The voltage between the resistors stays constant when 12 and 2
resistors are linked in parallel. Given that a 2 Ω resistor has a 4 V voltage
across it, we can use the formula below to determine how much power is
used by the resistor: V2 42

P = V2R = 422 = 8 W

The power consumed by the 2 Ω resistor is 8 W.

Question 89: Two cubes, A and B, are made of the same material.
The side of B is thrice that of A. Find the ratio RA/RB.

Answer 89:

The value of RA = LA and

RB = 3L9 A

RA : RB = 3: 1

Question 90: What happens to the resistance of a circuit if the

current through it is doubled?

Answer 90:

Resistance is unchanged since the circuit’s resistance is independent of

the current flowing through it.

Question 91: Two metallic wires, A and B, are connected. Wire A

has lengths l and radius r, while B has lengths 2l and 2r. If both
the wires are of the same material then find the ratio of total
resistances of series combination and the resistance of wire A.?

Answer 91. Here, the Resistance of metallic wire A, R1 = lA

= lr2

Resistance of metallic wire B, R2 = 2l4r2

The total resistance in series can be expressed as R = R1 + R2

= lA + 2l4r2

= 3l2r2

The ratio of the total resistance (R) in series to the resistance of A (R1) is

RR1 = 3l2r2lr2

= 32

The ratio of the total resistance (R) in series to the resistance of wire A
is 32.

Question 91: Illustrate how you would connect given three

resistors, each of whose resistance is 6 Ω so that the combination
has a resistance of (i) 9 Ω or (ii) 4Ω

Answer 91:

(i) When we connect R1 in series with the parallel combination of R2 and

R3, as shown in Fig. (a).

The equivalent resistance is

R = R1 + R2 R3R2 + R3 = 6 + 6 X 66 + 6

=6+3=9

(ii) When we connect a series combination of R1 and R2 in parallel with

R3, as shown in Fig. (b), the equivalent resistance is

R = 12 x 612 + 6 = 7218 = 4

Question 92: How does the resistance of a wire depend upon its
radius?

Answer 92: As R 1A

RA

The resistance of the above-mentioned wire is directly proportional to its

given radius.

Question 93: Which of the two uses more energy, a 250 W TV set
in 1 hr or a 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes?

Answer 93:

The total energy consumed by the electrical devices is represented by the

equation

H = Pt, where the power of the appliance is P and t is the time

This formula is used to determine how much energy a TV with a 250 W

power rating uses:

H = 250 W × 3600 seconds

= 9 × 105 J

In the same way, the energy consumed by a toaster with a 1200 W power
rating is

H = 1200 W × 600 s = 7.2 × 105 J

From the part of the above calculation, it can be said that the energy
consumed by the TV is greater than the toaster.

Question 94: Two wires are of the same length and same radius,
but one of them is of copper, and the other is of iron. Which will
have more resistance.

Answer 94:
Since, R = 1A

But A and I have the same value. It is absolutely determined by the

resistivity; hence iron has a higher resistance.

Question 95: An electric heater of 8 Ω resistance draws 15 A of

current from the service mains supply for 2 hours. Calculate the
rate at which heat is produced in the given heater.

Answer 95:

The rate at which the heat production takes place in the heater is thus
calculated using the following formula

P = I2 R

Putting the data in the equation, we get

P = (15A) 2 × 8 Ω = 1800 watt

The electric heater produces heat at the rate of 1800 watt

Question 96: The resistance of a given wire of 0.01 cm radius is

10 Ω. If the resistivity of the material of the wire is 50 × 10-8 ohm
metre , find the estimated length of the wire.

Answer 96:

Here, r= 0.01 cm = 10 -4 m, p = 50 x 10 -8 m and R = 10

As, R = lA

Or, I = RA = R(r2)

So, I = 1050 X 10-8 3.14 X (10 -4)2

I = 0.628 m = 62.8 cm

Question 97: Explain the following.

1. Why is tungsten used almost exclusively for the filament of

electric lamps?
2. Why are the conductors of electrical heating devices, like
bread-toasters and electric irons, mostly made of an alloy
rather than a pure metal?
3. Why is the series arrangement not used in domestic
circuits?
4. How does the resistance of a wire vary with its area of cross-
section?
 5. Why are copper and aluminium wires usually employed for
electricity transmission?
Answer 97:

1. Tungsten has a very high resistance and melting point. This

characteristic prevents it from burning easily when heated. At high
temperatures, electric bulbs are operated. As a result, tungsten is a
popular metal choice for electric lamp filaments.
2. Due to their high resistivity, alloys are used as the conductors in
electric heating equipment like bread-toasters and electric irons.
Because of its high resistance, it generates a lot of heat.
3. Because each component in the circuit only receives a tiny voltage
as a result of the voltage being divided into a series circuit, when
one component fails, the circuit is broken and none of the
components work. . Because of this, domestic circuits do not employ
series circuits.
4. The relationship between resistance and cross-sectional area is
inversely proportional. This means the resistance decreases as the
cross-sectional area increases and vice versa.
5. Copper and aluminium are frequently used for the transmission of
electricity because they are effective conductors of electricity and
have low resistance.
Question 98: How will you justify that the same potential
difference (voltage) will exist across three resistors connected in
a parallel arrangement to a battery?

Answer 98:

You can take three resistors, R1, R2 and R3, and connect them in parallel
to make a circuit, as shown in the figure.

Then use a voltmeter to take the reading of the potential difference of the
three resistors in parallel combination.

Now, you can remove the resistor R1 and take the reading of the potential
difference of the remaining resistors in combination.

Then, you can remove the resistor R2 and take the reading of the
potential difference of the remaining resistor.

Observation:

In each case, the Voltmeter reading appears to be the same, which shows
that the same potential difference tends to exist across three resistors
connected in a parallel arrangement.