Topic – I : Resistance, Resistivity and Ohm’s Law

1. A voltage of 30 V is applied across a colour coded carbon resistor with first, second and third rings of blue,
black and yellow colours. What is the current flowing through the resistor? [CBSE D 05]
(Ans. 0.5 × 10-4 A)(not in syllabus)
2. A potential difference of 10 V is applied across a conductor of resistance 1 k Ω. Find the number of
electrons flowing through the conductor in 5 minutes.
(Ans. 1.875 × 1019)
3. What length of a copper wire of cross-sectional area 0.01 mm2would be required to obtain a resistance of
1 k Ω? Resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10-8Ωm.
(Ans. 588.2 m)
4. A metal wire of specific resistance 64 × 10-8Ωm and length 1.98 m has a resistance of 7 Ω. Find its radius.
(Ans. 2.4 × 10-4m)
5. Calculate the resistance of a 2 m long nichrome wire of radius 0.321 mm. Resistivity of nichrome is 15 ×
10-6Ωm. If a potential difference of 10 V is applied across this wire, what will be the current in the wire? (Ans.
9.26 Ω, 1.08 A)
6. An electron beam has an aperture of 1.0 mm2. A total of 6 × 1016 electrons flow through any perpendicular
cross-section per second. Calculate (i) the current and (ii) the current density in the electron beam.
[Ans. (i) 9.6 × 10-3 A (ii) 9.6 × 103 Am-2]
7. Calculate the electric field in a copper wire of cross-sectional area 2.0 mm2 carrying _a current of 1 A. The
resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10-8 Ωm.
(Ans. 0.85 × 10-2 Vm1)
8. A given copper wire is stretched to reduce its diameter to half its previous value. What would be its new
resistance ? [CBSE D 92C]
(Ans. R' = 16 R)
9. What will be the change in resistance of a constantan wire when its radius is made half and length reduced
to one-fourth of its original length ?
(Ans. No change)
10. A wire of resistance 5 Ω is uniformly stretched until its new length becomes 4 times the original length.
Find its new resistance. (Ans. 80 Ω)
11. A metallic wire of length 1 m is stretched to double its length. Calculate the ratio of its initial and final
resistances assuming that there is no change in its density on stretching. [CBSE D 94]
(Ans. 1: 4)
12. A wire of certain radius is stretched so that its radius decreases by a factor n Calculate its new resistance.
(Ans. n4 R)
13. A wire 1 m long and 0.13 mm in diameter has a resistance of 4.2 Ω. Calculate the resistance of another
wire of the same material whose length is 1.5 m and diameter 0.155 mm. (Ans. 4.4 Ω)
14. A rheostat has 100 turns of a wire of radius 0.4 mm having resistivity 4.2 × 10-7Ωm. The diameter of each
turn is 3 cm. What is the maximum value of resistance that it can introduce? (Ans. 7.875 Ω)
15. Given that resistivity of copper is 1.68 x 10 -8 Ωm. Calculate the amount of copper required to draw a wire
10 km long having resistance of 10 Ω. The density of copper is 8.9 × 103kgm-3. (Ans. 1495.2 kg)
16. The size of a carbon block is 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm × 50 cm. Find its resistance (i) between the opposite square
faces (ii) between the opposite rectangular faces of the block. The resistivity of carbon is 3.5 × 10-5Ωcm. (Ans.
0.175 Ω, 7.0 × 10- 5 Ω)
17. Two wires A and B of the same material have their lengths in the ratio 1 : 5 and diameters in the ratio 3 :
2. If the resistance of the wire B is 180 Ω, find the resistance of the wire A. (Ans. 16 Ω)
18. A uniform wire is cut into four segments. Each segment is twice as long as the earlier segment. If the
1
shortest segment has a resistance of 4 Ω, find the resistance of the original wire. (Ans. 60 Ω)
19. Calculate the conductance and conductivity of a wire of resistance 0.01 Ω, area of cross-section 10-4m2
and length 0.1 m. [Haryana 2000]
(Ans. 100 S, 105 Sm-1)
Topic – II : Emf, Internal Resistance And Terminal Potential Difference Of A Cell
1. A cell of emf 4 V and internal resistance 1Ω is connected to a d.c. source of 10 V through a resistor of 5
Ω. Calculate the terminal voltage across the cell during charging. [CBSE OD 17C]
2. The potential difference across a cell is 1.8 V when a current of 0.5 A is drawn from it. The p.d. falls to 1.6
V when a current of 1.0 A is drawn. Find the emf and the internal resistance of the cell. (Ans. 2.0 V, 0.4 Ω)
3. The potential difference of a cell in an open circuit is 6 V, which falls to 4 V when a current of 2 A is drawn
from the cell. Calculate the emf and the internal resistance of the cell. (Ans. 6 V, 1Ω)
4. In the circuit shown in Fig. 3.102, the resistance of the ammeter A is negligible and that of the voltmeter V
is very high. When the switch S is open, the reading of voltmeter is 1.53 V. On closing the switch S, the
reading of ammeter is 1.00 A and that of the voltmeter drops to 1.03 V. Calculate : (i) emf of the cell (ii) value
of R (iii) internal resistance of the cell. [Ans. (i) 1.53 V (ii) 1.03 Ω (iii) 0.50 Ω]

Fig. 3.102
5. The potential difference between the terminals of a battery of emf 6.0 V and internal resistance 1Ω drops
to 5.8 V when connected across an external resistor. Find the resistance of the external resistor.
(Ans. 29 Ω)
6. The potential difference between the terminals of a 6.0 V battery is 7.2 V when it is being charged by a
current of 2.0 A. What is the internal resistance of the battery ? (Ans. 0.6 Ω)
7. A battery of emf 2 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is connected across a resistance of 9.5 Ω. How many
electrons pass through a cross-section of the resistance in 1 second ? (Ans. 1.25 × 1018)
8. A cell of emf ε and internal resistance r is connected across a variable load resistor R It is found that when
R = 4 Ω, the current is 1A and when R is increased to 9 Ω, the current reduces to 0.5 A. Find the values of
the emf ε and internal resistance r. [CBSE D 15]
(Ans. 5 V, 1Ω )
9. The emf of a battery is 4.0 V and its internal resistance is 1.5 Ω. Its potential difference is measured by a
voltmeter of resistance 1000 Ω. Calculate the percentage error in the reading of emf shown by voltmeter.
(Ans. 0.15 %)
10. The emf of a battery is 6 V and its internal resistance is 0.6 Ω. A wire of resistance 2.4 Ω is connected to
the two ends of the battery, calculate (a) current in the circuit and (b) the potential difference between the two
terminals of the battery in closed circuit.
(Ans. 2 A, 4.8 V)
11. The two poles of a cell of emf 1.5 V are connected to the two ends of a 10 Ω coil. If the current in the
circuit is 0.1 A, calculate the internal resistance of the cell. (Ans. 5Ω)
12. The potential difference across the terminals of a battery is 8.5 V, when a current of 3 A flows through it
from its negative terminal to the positive terminal. When a current of 2 A flows through it in the opposite
direction, the terminal potential difference is 11 V. Find the internal resistance of the battery and its emf. (Ans.
0.5 Ω, 10 V)
13. In the circuit shown in Fig. 3.103, a potential difference of 3 V is required between the points A and B.
Find the value of resistance R 1. (Ans. 3Ω)

2
 Fig. 3.103
Topic – III : Series, Parallel And Mixed Grouping Of Cells
1. Three identical cells, each of emf 2 V and internal resistance 0.2 Ω are connected in series to an external
resistor of 7.4 Ω. Calculate the current in the circuit. (Ans. 0.75 A)
2. Three identical cells each of emf 2 V and unknown internal resistance are connected in parallel. This
combination is connected to a 5 Ω resistor. If the terminal voltage across the cells is 1.5 V, what is the
internal resistance of each cell? [CBSE OD 99]
(Ans. 5Ω)
3. Two cells connected in series have electromotive force of 1.5 V each. Their internal resistances are 0.5
Ω and 0.25 Ω respectively. This combination is connected to a resistance of 2.25 Ω. Calculate the current
flowing in the circuit and the potential difference across the terminals of each cell.
(Ans. 1.0 A, 1.0 V, 1.25 V)
4. When 10 cells in series are connected to the ends of a resistance of 59 Ω, the current is found to be 0.25
A, but when the same cells after being connected in parallel are joined to the ends of a 0.05 Ω, the current
is 25 A. Calculate the internal resistance and emf of each cell. (Ans. 0.1 Ω, 1.5 V)
5. Find the minimum number of cells required to produce an electric current of 1.5 A through a resistance
of 30 Ω. Given that the emf of each cell is 1.5 V and internal resistance 10 Ω.
(Ans. 120 cells, 60 cells in one row and two rows in parallel)
6. Two identical cells, whether joined together in series or in parallel give the same current, when connected
to an external resistance of 1 Ω. Find the internal resistance of each cell. [ISCE 95] (Ans. 1Ω)
7. A set of 4 cells, each of emf 2 V and internal resistance 1.5 Ω are connected across an external load of
10 Ω with 2 rows, 2 cells in each branch. Calculate the current in each branch and potential difference
across 10 Ω. [Karnataka 91C1
(Ans. 0.175 A, 3.5 V)
Topic – IV : Kirchhoff’s Law
1. Using Kirchhoff's laws in the electrical network shown in Fig. 3.148, calculate the values of I1, I2 and
I3.
[CBSE D 2000C]

Fig. 3.148
48 18 66
Ans: 𝐼1 = A, 𝐼2 = A, 𝐼3 = A
31 31 31

2. Find the potential difference across each cell and the rate of energy dissipation in R. [Fig. 3.149(a)].
[CBSE Sample Paper 11]

3
 Fig. 3.149(a)

18 6
Ans: 𝐼1 = A AND 𝐼2 = − A
7 7
48
P.D. across each cell = P.D. across R = V
7

Energy dissipated in R =11.75J

3. Two cells of emfs 1.5 V and 2.0 V and internal resistances 1Ω and 2 Ω respectively are connected in
parallel so as to send current in the same direction through an external resistance of 5 Ω. [CBSE OD
05]
(i) Draw the circuit diagram.
(ii) Using Kirchhoff's laws, calculate
(a) current through each branch of the circuit.
(b) p.d. across the 5 Ω resistance.

1 9
Ans: 𝐼1 = 34 𝐴, 𝐼2 = 34 𝐴

Current through branch DE,

10
𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = A
34
P.D. across the 5 Ω resistance
10
= (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) × 5 = × 5V = 1.47V
34
4. Use Kirchhoff's rules to write the expressions for the currents 𝐼1 , I2 and I3 in the circuit diagram shown
in Fig. 3.151.[CBSE OD 10]

Fig. 3.151

4
 2 7 9
Ans: 𝐼1 = 13 𝐴, 𝐼2 = 13 𝐴, 𝐼3 = 13 𝐴

5. Apply Kirchhoff's rules to the loops ACBPA and ACBQA to write the expression for the currents 𝐼1 , I2
and 13 in the network shown in Fig. 3.152. [CBSE OD 10]

Fig. 3.152
84 106 22
Ans: 𝐼1 = − 37 A, 𝐼2 = 37
A, 𝐼3 = − 37 A

6. Use Kirchhoff's rules to detemine the potential difference between the points A and D when no current
flows in the arm BE of the electric network shown in Fig. 3.153(a). [CBSE OD 15]

Fig. 3.153 (a)

Fig. 3.153 (b)

Ans: VAD = 9 V.
7. In the circuit Fig. 154, assuming point A to be at zero potential, use Kirchhoff's rules to determine the
potential at point B.

Fig. 3.154
Ans: VB = VC=2- VC =2-0 = 2V.
8. In the circuit shown in Fig. 3.156(a), E, F, G and H are cells of emf 2 V, 1 V, 3 V and 1 V, and their
internal resistances are 2 Ω, 1Ω, 3 Ω and 1Ω, respectively. Calculate (i) the potential difference
between B and D and (ii) the potential difference across the terminals of each of the cells G and H.
[CBSE D 04C]

Fig. 3.156(a)

5
 Ans: P.D. between the points B and D,
2
𝑉1 = 𝐼1 × 2 = 𝑉
13
(ii) P.D. between the terminals of G (giving current),
6
𝑉2 = 𝜉 − 𝐼2 𝑟 = 3 − × 3 = 1.615V
13
P.D. between the terminals of H (taking current),
6
𝑉3 = 𝜉 ′ + 𝐼2 𝑟 ′ = 1 + × 1 = 1.46V
13
Example 149. Two cells of emfs 1.5 V and 2 V and internal resistances 2 Ω and 1Ω respectively have their
negative terminals joined by a wire of 6 Ω and positive terminals by a wire of 4 Ω resistance. A third resistance
wire of 8 Ω connects middle points of these wires draw the circuit diagram. Using Kirchhoff laws, find the
potential difference at the end of this third wire. [CBSE D 2000C]

5 18
Ans: 𝐼1 = 146 A and 𝐼2 = 146 A

Current through the 8 Ω resistance wire is

5 18 23
𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = + = A
146 146 146
P.D. across the ends of 8 Ω resistance wire 23
23
= × 8 = 1.26V
146
𝑟(3𝑅 + 𝑟)
=
(𝑅 + 3𝑟)
Problems For Practice
1. Apply Kirchhoffs rules to the loops PRSP and PRQP to write the expressions for the currents I1, I2 and I3
in the circuit shown in Fig. 3.173.
39 4 11
[CBSE OD 10] ( Ans. 860
A, 215 A, 172 A)

Fig. 3.173
2. Use Kirchhoffs rules to determine the value of the current I↑ flowing in the circuit shown in Fig. 3.174.
[CBSE D 13C] (Ans. I1 = - 0.75 A)

6
 Fig. 3.174
3. Using Kirchhoffs laws, determine the currents I1, I2 and I3 for the network shown in Fig. 3.175.
[CBSE D 99C] (Ans. 3 A, - 1.5 A, 4.5 A)

Fig. 3.175
4. The circuit diagram shown in Fig. 3.176 has two cells and S 2 with emfs 4 V and 2 V respectively, each
one having an internal resistance of 2 Ω. The external resistance R is of 8 Ω. Find the magnitude and
direction of currents flowing through the two cells. [ISCE 98]
2 1
( ANS. 𝑙1 = A, 𝐼2 = − A)
3 3

Fig. 3.176
5. Fig. 3.177 shows n cells connected to form a series circuit. Their internal resistances are related to their
emfs as 𝑟𝑖 = 𝛼𝐸𝑖 where α is a constant. Find (i) the current through the circuit and (ii) the potential
1
difference between the terminals of zth battery. [Ans, (𝑖 ) 𝛼 (𝑖𝑖 )0]

Fig. 3.177
6. Two cells of emfs 3 V and 4 V and internal resistances 1Ω and 2 Ω respectively are connected in parallel
so as to send current in the same direction through an external resistance of 5 Ω.
(i) Draw the circuit diagram.
(ii) Using Kirchhoffs laws, calculate (a) the current through each branch of the circuit, (b) p.d. across the 5 Ω
1 9 8
resistance. [CBSE OD 95, 96 C] ( Ans. (𝑎) 17 A, 17 A, 17 A(𝑏)2.35V)

7. In the electric network shown in Fig. 3.178, use Kirchhoffs rules to calculate the power consumed by the
resistance R = 4Ω. [CBSE D 14C] (Ans. 9 W)

7
 Fig. 3.178
8. A network of resistors is connected to a battery of negligible internal resistance, as shown in Fig. 3.179.
Calculate the equivalent resistance between the points A and D, and the value of the current L. (Ans.
1.25 Ω, 0.5 A)

Fig. 3.179
9. Using Kirchhoff's rules, determine the value of unknown resistance R in the circuit shown in Fig. 3.180 so
that no current flows through 4Ω resistance. Also find the potential difference between A and D. [CBSE
D 12] (Ans. 3 V)

Fig. 3.180
10. Find the current flowing through each cell in the circuit shown in Fig. 3.181. Also calculate the potential
difference across the terminals of each cell. (Ans. 0, - 3 A, 3 A, 3 V)

Fig. 3.181
11. In the network shown in Fig. 3.182, (i) calculate the current of the 6 V battery and (ii) determine the
potential difference between the points A and B. [Ans. (A 2 A (ii) 4 V]

8
 Fig. 3.182

Fig. 3.183
12. In the network shown in Fig. 3.183, find (z) the currents I↑, I2 and I3 and (ii) the potential difference between
the points B and £.
[Ans. (z) I1= 2 A, I2 = - 3 A, I3 = - 1A (ii) - 2 V]
13. Calculate the potential difference between the junctions B and D in the Wheatstone's bridge shown in
Fig. 3.184.[Roorkee 89] (Ans. 0.2 V)

Fig. 3.184
14. In the given electrical networks shown in Figs. 3.185(a) and (b), identical cells each of emf S, are giving
same current I. Find the values of the resistors 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 in the network (b).
11
( Ans. 9.9𝛺, 𝛺)
9

Fig. 3.185
15. What does the ammeter A read in the circuit shown in Fig. 3.186? What if the positions of the cell and the
ammeter are interchanged?
5 5
( Ans. A, A)
11 11

9
 Fig. 3.186
16. In the circuit shown in Fig. 3.187, determine the current in the resistance CD and equivalent resistance
between the points A and B. The internal resistance of cell is negligible.
(Ans. 7 Ω, 0.4 A)

Fig. 3.187
17. A certain length of a uniform wire of resistance 12 Ω is bent into a circle and two points, a quarter of
circumference apart, are connected to a battery of emf 4 V and internal resistance 1Ω. Find the current
12 4
in the different parts of the circuit. ( ANS. 13 A, 13 A)

18. In Fig. 3.188, ABCDA is a uniform circular wire of resistance 2Ω. AOC and BOD are two wires along two
perpendicular diameters of the circle, each having same resistance 1Ω. A battery of emf S and internal
resistance r is connected between the points A and D. Calculate the equivalent resistance of the network.
15
( Ans. 𝛺)
14

Fig. 3.188
19. In the circuit shown in Fig. 3.189, find the currents I, I1, I2 and I3 Given that emf of the battery = 2 V,
internal resistance of the battery = 2 Ω and resistance of the galvanometer = 4 Ω.
47 17 30 1
( Ans. 𝐼 = A, 𝐼1 = A, 𝐼2 = A, 𝐼3 = − A)
91 91 91 91

Fig. 3.189

10
20. Determine the current flowing through the galvanometer G of the Wheatstone bridge shown in Fig. 3.190.
(Ans. 0.0454 A)

Fig. 3.190
21. The terminals of a battery of emf 3 V and internal resistance 2.5 Ω are joined to the diagonally opposite
comers of a cubical skeleton frame of 12 wires, each of resistance 3 Ω. Find the current in the battery.
(Ans. 0.6 A)
22. Twelve identical wires each of resistance 6Ω are arranged to form a skeleton cube. A current of 40 mA is
led into cube at one corner and out at the diagonally opposite comer. Calculate the potential difference
developed across these corners and the effective resistance of the network. (Ans. 0.2 V, 5 Ω)
23. Twelve identical wires each of resistance 6Ω are joined to form a skeleton cube. Find the resistance
between the comers of the same edge of the cube.
(Ans. 3.5 Ω)
24. Find the currents I1, I2 and I3 through the three resistors of the circuit shown in Fig. 3.191.
(Ans. Zero in each resistor)

Fig. 3.191
Topic – V : Wheat Stone Bridge
1. Four resistances of 15 Ω, 12 Ω, 4 Ω and 10 Ω respectively are connected in cyclic order to form a
Wheatstone bridge. Is the network balanced ? If not, calculate the resistance to be connected in parallel
with the resistance of 10 Ω to balance the network. (Ans. Bridge is not balanced, 10 Ω)
2. The Wheatstone's bridge of Fig. 3.236 is showing no deflection in the galvanometer joined between the
points B and D. Compute the value of R.
(Ans. 25 Ω)

Fig. 3.236
3. (i) Calculate the equivalent resistance of the given electrical network between points A and B.
(ii) Also calculate the current through CD and ACB, if a 10 V d.c. source is connected between A and B, and
the value of R is assumed as 2 Ω.
[CBSE OD 08]

11
[Ans. (i) RAB - R Ω
(ii) ICD = 0,
IACB = 2.5 A]

Fig. 3.237
4. Calculate the equivalent resistance between points A and B of the network shown in Fig. 3.238.
[CBSE D 99] (Ans. 2Ω)

Fig. 3.238
5. Calculate the equivalent resistance between the points A and B of the network shown in Fig. 3.239.
(Ans. R)

Fig. 3.239
6. Calculate the resistance between the points A and B of the network shown in Fig. 3.240. (Ans. 8Ω)

Fig. 3.240
7. For the network shown in Fig. 3.241, determine the value of R and the current through it, if the current
through the branch AO is zero. (Ans. 6Ω, 0.5 A)

Fig. 3.241

12
Fig. 3.242
8. The potentiometer wire AB shown in Fig. 3.242 is 40 cm long. Where should the free end of the
galvanometer be connected on AB so that the galvanometer may show zero deflection ?
(Ans. 16 cm from A)
9. The potentiometer wire AB shown in Fig. 3.243 is 50 cm long. When AD = 30 cm, no deflection occurs in
the galvanometer. Find R. (Ans. 4Ω)

Fig. 3.243

Fig. 3.244
10. Calculate the value of unknown resistance X and the current drawn by the circuit, assuming that no
current flows through the galvanometer. Assume the resistance per unit length of the wire AB to be 0.01 Ω /
cm. (Fig. 3.244) [CBSE D 01]
(Ans. 6Ω, 5.5 A)
11. In Fig 3.245, P = 3Ω, Q = 2Ω, R = 6Ω, S = 4Ω and X = 5 Ω. Calculate the current I. [CBSE D 92]
(Ans. 0.6 A)

Fig. 3.245

Fig. 3.246
13
12. Each resistor r shown in Fig. 3.246 has a resistance of 10 Ω and the battery has an emf of 6 V. Find the
current supplied by battery. (Ans. 0.6 A)
13. Find the equivalent resistance between the points X and Y of the network shown in Fig. 3.247.
(Ans. 10 Ω)

Fig. 3.247
14. In a metre bridge, the length of the wire is 100 cm. At what position will the balance point be obtained if
the two resistances are in the ratio 2:3?
(Ans. 40 cm)
15. In the metre bridge experimental set up, shown in Fig. 3.248, the null point ‘D’ is obtained at a distance
of 40 cm from end A of the metre bridge wire. If a resistance of 10 Ω is connected in series with X, null
point is obtained at AD = 60 cm. Calculate the values of X and Y. [CBSE D 13]
(Ans. 8Ω, 12 Ω)
16. In a metre-bridge experiment, two resistances P and Q are connected in series in the left gap. When the
resistance in the right gap is 50 Ω, the balance point is at the centre of the slide wire. If P and Q are
connected in parallel in the left gap, the resistance in the right gap has to be changed to 12 Ω so as to
obtain the balance point at the same position. Find P and Q. (Ans. P = 30Ω, Q = 20Ω)
17. In a metre bridge when the resistance in the left gap is 2 Ω and an unknown resistance in the right gap,
the balance point is obtained at 40 cm from the zero end. On shunting the unknown resistance with 2 Ω,
find the shift of the balance point on the bridge wire. (Ans. 22.5 cm)

14