Section 11.

1 Questions

1. What does an electric circuit mean? An electric circuit is a continuous and closed path through which
electric current can flow. It consists of a source of electrical energy (like a battery), conducting wires,
electrical components (like bulbs, resistors), and a switch to control the flow of current.

2. Define the unit of current. The SI unit of electric current is ampere (A), named after French scientist
Andre-Marie Ampere. One ampere is constituted by the flow of one coulomb of charge per second. That is,
1 A = 1 C/1 s.

3. Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge. Given: 1 coulomb = charge of
6 × 10¹⁸ electrons Since each electron has a charge of 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C Number of electrons in 1 coulomb = 1 C
÷ (1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C) = 6.25 × 10¹⁸ electrons

Section 11.2 Questions

1. Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor. A battery or cell
helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor. The chemical action within the cell generates the
potential difference across its terminals.

2. What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is 1 V? When we say the
potential difference between two points is 1 V, it means that 1 joule of work is done to move 1 coulomb of
charge from one point to the other.

3. How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V battery? Energy given
to each coulomb = Potential difference × Charge = 6 V × 1 C = 6 J Therefore, each coulomb of charge
receives 6 joules of energy.

Section 11.5 Questions

1. On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend? The resistance of a conductor depends on:

• Its length (R ∝ l) - directly proportional

• Its area of cross-section (R ∝ 1/A) - inversely proportional
• The nature of its material (resistivity ρ)
• Temperature

2. Will current flow more easily through a thick wire or a thin wire of the same material, when
connected to the same source? Why? Current will flow more easily through a thick wire. This is because
resistance is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section (R ∝ 1/A). A thick wire has a larger cross-
sectional area, hence lower resistance, allowing more current to flow.

3. 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? According to Ohm's law: I = V/R If V becomes V/2 and R remains constant: New
current = (V/2)/R = (1/2)(V/R) = I/2 The current will also become half of its original value.

4. Why are coils of electric toasters and electric irons made of an alloy rather than a pure metal?
Alloys are used because:

• They have higher resistivity than pure metals, producing more heat
 • They do not oxidize (burn) readily at high temperatures
• They are more durable and have longer life at high temperatures

5. Use the data in Table 11.2 to answer the following:

(a) Which among iron and mercury is a better conductor? Iron is a better conductor. Iron has resistivity
of 10.0 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m while mercury has 94.0 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m. Lower resistivity means better conductivity.

(b) Which material is the best conductor? Silver is the best conductor with the lowest resistivity of 1.60 ×
10⁻⁸ Ω m.

Series and Parallel Questions

1. Judge the equivalent resistance when the following are connected in parallel:

(a) 1 Ω and 10⁶ Ω 1/Rₚ = 1/1 + 1/10⁶ = (10⁶ + 1)/10⁶ ≈ 1 Rₚ ≈ 1 Ω (approximately equal to the smaller
resistance)

(b) 1 Ω, 10³ Ω, and 10⁶ Ω 1/Rₚ = 1/1 + 1/10³ + 1/10⁶ ≈ 1 Rₚ ≈ 1 Ω (dominated by the smallest resistance)

2. An electric lamp of 100 Ω, a toaster of resistance 50 Ω, and a water filter of resistance 500 Ω 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 through it?

For parallel combination: I₁ = 220/100 = 2.2 A I₂ = 220/50 = 4.4 A

I₃ = 220/500 = 0.44 A Total current = 2.2 + 4.4 + 0.44 = 7.04 A

For electric iron to take same current: R = V/I = 220/7.04 = 31.25 Ω Current through iron = 7.04 A

3. What are the advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel with the battery instead of
connecting them in series?

• Each device gets the full voltage of the source

• Each device can be controlled independently
• If one device fails, others continue to work
• Different devices can draw different currents as per their requirement
• Total resistance decreases, allowing more current flow

4. 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?

(a) For 4 Ω: Connect 3 Ω and 6 Ω in parallel, then in series with 2 Ω Parallel: 1/R = 1/3 + 1/6 = 3/6 = 1/2,
so R = 2 Ω Total: 2 + 2 = 4 Ω

(b) For 1 Ω: Connect 2 Ω and 3 Ω in series (= 5 Ω), then in parallel with 6 Ω 1/R = 1/5 + 1/6 = 11/30, so R
= 30/11 ≈ 2.73 Ω This doesn't give exactly 1 Ω. Actually, connect all three in parallel: 1/R = 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/6
= 6/6 = 1, so R = 1 Ω

5. What is (a) the highest, (b) the lowest total resistance that can be secured by combinations of four
coils of resistance 4 Ω, 8 Ω, 12 Ω, 24 Ω?

(a) Highest resistance: All in series R = 4 + 8 + 12 + 24 = 48 Ω

(b) Lowest resistance: All in parallel 1/R = 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/12 + 1/24 = 6/24 + 3/24 + 2/24 + 1/24 = 12/24 =
1/2 R = 2 Ω
Heating Effect Questions

1. Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does? The heating
element has much higher resistance than the cord. According to Joule's law (H = I²Rt), for the same current,
heat produced is directly proportional to resistance. The heating element gets much hotter and glows, while
the cord remains relatively cool.

2. Compute the heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of charge in one hour through a
potential difference of 50 V. H = VQ = 50 V × 96000 C = 4,800,000 J = 4.8 × 10⁶ J

3. An electric iron of resistance 20 Ω takes a current of 5 A. Calculate the heat developed in 30 s. H =

I²Rt = (5)² × 20 × 30 = 25 × 20 × 30 = 15,000 J = 15 kJ

Power Questions

1. What determines the rate at which energy is delivered by a current? The power (P = VI) determines
the rate at which energy is delivered by a current. It depends on both the potential difference and the current
in the circuit.

2. An electric motor takes 5 A from a 220 V line. Determine the power of the motor and the energy
consumed in 2 h. Power = VI = 220 × 5 = 1100 W = 1.1 kW Energy consumed in 2 h = 1.1 kW × 2 h = 2.2
kWh = 2.2 × 3.6 × 10⁶ J = 7.92 × 10⁶ J

Exercise Questions
1. A piece of wire of resistance R is cut into five equal parts. These parts are then connected in
parallel. If the equivalent resistance of this combination is R′, then the ratio R/R′ is –

When wire is cut into 5 equal parts, each part has resistance R/5. For parallel combination: 1/R′ = 5 × (5/R)
= 25/R Therefore: R′ = R/25 Ratio R/R′ = R ÷ (R/25) = 25

Answer: (d) 25

2. Which of the following terms does not represent electrical power in a circuit?

• I²R represents power ✓

• IR² does not represent power ✗
• VI represents power ✓
• V²/R represents power ✓

Answer: (b) IR²

3. An electric bulb is rated 220 V and 100 W. When it is operated on 110 V, the power consumed will
be –

Resistance of bulb: R = V²/P = (220)²/100 = 484 Ω At 110 V: P = V²/R = (110)²/484 = 25 W

Answer: (d) 25 W

4. Two conducting wires of the same material and of equal lengths and equal diameters are first
connected in series and then parallel in a circuit across the same potential difference. The ratio of heat
produced in series and parallel combinations would be –
Let each wire have resistance R. Series: Total R = 2R, I = V/(2R), Heat = I²(2R)t = V²t/(2R) Parallel: Total
R = R/2, I = 2V/R, Heat = I²(R/2)t = 2V²t/R

Ratio = [V²t/(2R)] / [2V²t/R] = 1/4

Answer: (c) 1:4

5. How is a voltmeter connected in the circuit to measure the potential difference between two points?

A voltmeter is always connected in parallel across the two points between which the potential difference is
to be measured. It has very high resistance to ensure minimal current flows through it.

6. A copper wire has diameter 0.5 mm and resistivity of 1.6 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m. What will be the length of this
wire to make its resistance 10 Ω? How much does the resistance change if the diameter is doubled?

Given: d = 0.5 mm = 0.5 × 10⁻³ m, ρ = 1.6 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m, R = 10 Ω

Area A = πd²/4 = π(0.5 × 10⁻³)²/4 = 1.96 × 10⁻⁷ m²

From R = ρl/A: l = RA/ρ = (10 × 1.96 × 10⁻⁷)/(1.6 × 10⁻⁸) = 122.5 m

When diameter is doubled: New area = 4A (area increases 4 times) New resistance = ρl/(4A) = R/4 = 10/4 =
2.5 Ω

The resistance becomes one-fourth.

7. Plot a graph between V and I and calculate the resistance of that resistor.

From the given data:

• At I = 0.5 A, V = 1.6 V
• At I = 4.0 A, V = 13.2 V

The graph will be a straight line passing through origin. Resistance R = V/I = 1.6/0.5 = 3.2 Ω (or any other
pair gives same result)

8. When a 12 V battery is connected across an unknown resistor, there is a current of 2.5 mA in the
circuit. Find the value of the resistance of the resistor.

R = V/I = 12 V / (2.5 × 10⁻³ A) = 4800 Ω = 4.8 kΩ

9. A battery of 9 V is connected in series with resistors of 0.2 Ω, 0.3 Ω, 0.4 Ω, 0.5 Ω and 12 Ω,
respectively. How much current would flow through the 12 Ω resistor?

Total resistance = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.5 + 12 = 13.4 Ω Current = V/R = 9/13.4 = 0.67 A

In series, same current flows through all resistors, so current through 12 Ω resistor = 0.67 A

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

Each resistor carries: I₁ = V/R = 220/176 = 1.25 A Number of resistors needed = Total current/Current per
resistor = 5/1.25 = 4 resistors

11. Show how you would connect three resistors, each of resistance 6 Ω, so that the combination has a
resistance of (i) 9 Ω, (ii) 4 Ω.
(i) For 9 Ω: Connect two 6 Ω resistors in parallel (gives 3 Ω), then connect this combination in series with
the third 6 Ω resistor. Result: 3 + 6 = 9 Ω

(ii) For 4 Ω: Connect two 6 Ω resistors in series (gives 12 Ω), then connect this combination in parallel with
the third 6 Ω resistor. 1/R = 1/12 + 1/6 = 1/4, so R = 4 Ω

12. Several electric bulbs designed to be used on a 220 V electric supply line, are rated 10 W. How
many lamps can be connected in parallel with each other across the two wires of 220 V line if the
maximum allowable current is 5 A?

Current per lamp = P/V = 10/220 = 0.045 A Number of lamps = Maximum current/Current per lamp =
5/0.045 = 110 lamps

13. A hot plate of an electric oven connected to a 220 V line has two resistance coils A and B, each of
24 Ω resistance, which may be used separately, in series, or in parallel. What are the currents in the
three cases?

(a) Separately: I = V/R = 220/24 = 9.17 A (b) In series: Total R = 48 Ω, I = 220/48 = 4.58 A
(c) In parallel: Total R = 12 Ω, I = 220/12 = 18.33 A

14. Compare the power used in the 2 Ω resistor in each of the following circuits:

(i) 6 V battery in series with 1 Ω and 2 Ω resistors: Total R = 3 Ω, I = 6/3 = 2 A Power in 2 Ω = I²R = 4 ×
2=8W

(ii) 4 V battery in parallel with 12 Ω and 2 Ω resistors: Current through 2 Ω = V/R = 4/2 = 2 A Power in
2 Ω = I²R = 4 × 2 = 8 W

Both circuits consume equal power in the 2 Ω resistor.

15. Two lamps, one rated 100 W at 220 V, and the other 60 W at 220 V, are connected in parallel to
electric mains supply. What current is drawn from the line if the supply voltage is 220 V?

Current from first lamp = P/V = 100/220 = 0.45 A Current from second lamp = P/V = 60/220 = 0.27 A Total
current = 0.45 + 0.27 = 0.72 A

16. Which uses more energy, a 250 W TV set in 1 hr, or a 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes?

TV energy = 250 W × 1 h = 250 Wh Toaster energy = 1200 W × (10/60) h = 200 Wh

The TV set uses more energy.

17. An electric heater of resistance 44 Ω draws 5 A from the service mains for 2 hours. Calculate the
rate at which heat is developed in the heater.

Rate of heat development = Power = I²R = (5)² × 44 = 1100 W = 1.1 kW

18. Explain the following:

(a) Why is tungsten used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamps?

• Tungsten has a very high melting point (3380°C)

• It can withstand high temperatures without melting
• It has high resistivity, producing significant heat and light
• It doesn't react with gases inside the bulb
(b) Why are the conductors of electric heating devices made of an alloy rather than a pure metal?

• Alloys have higher resistivity than pure metals

• They produce more heat for the same current
• They don't oxidize readily at high temperatures
• They have longer life and better durability

(c) Why is the series arrangement not used for domestic circuits?

• All appliances would get different voltages

• If one appliance fails, all others stop working
• Appliances cannot be controlled independently
• Different appliances need different currents to operate properly

(d) How does the resistance of a wire vary with its area of cross-section? Resistance is inversely
proportional to the area of cross-section (R ∝ 1/A). When area increases, resistance decreases, and vice
versa.

(e) Why are copper and aluminium wires usually employed for electricity transmission?

• They have very low resistivity (good conductors)

• They cause minimal power loss during transmission
• They are relatively inexpensive and readily available
• They have good mechanical strength and durability