NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity Chapter 3 is a part of NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics. Here we have given NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity Chapter 3 which will help you to understand and for preparation of CBSE examination and other competitive examinations. Prepare for exams with NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity Chapter 3 and refer to your friends also.
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NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity
Question : 1
The storage battery of a car has an emf of 12 V. If the internal resistance of the battery is 0.4 Ω, what is the maximum current that can be drawn from the battery?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Emf of the battery, E = 12 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 0.4 Ω
Maximum current drawn from the battery = I
According to Ohm’s law,
E=IR
I= (E/R) = (12/0.4) =30A
The maximum current drawn from the given battery is 30 A.
Question : 2
A battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 3 Ω is connected to a resistor. If the current in the circuit is 0.5 A, what is the resistance of the resistor? What is the terminal voltage of the battery when the circuit is closed?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Emf of the battery, E = 10 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 3 Ω
Current in the circuit, I = 0.5 A
Resistance of the resistor = R
The relation for current using Ohm’s law is, I= (E/R+r)
(R+r) = (E/I) = (10/0.5) =20 Ω
Therefore R=20-3=17 Ω
Terminal voltage of the resistor = V
According to Ohm’s law,
V = IR
= 0.5 × 17
= 8.5 V
Therefore, the resistance of the resistor is 17 Ω and the terminal voltage is
8.5 V.
Question : 3
(a) Three resistors 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω are combined in series. What is the total resistance of the combination?
(b) If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 12 V and negligible internal resistance, obtain the potential drop across each resistor.
Show Answer :
Answer :
- Three resistors of resistances 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω are combined in series.
- Total resistance of the combination is given by the algebraic sum of individual resistances.
Total resistance = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 Ω
- Current flowing through the circuit = I, Emf of the battery, E = 12 V,
Total resistance of the circuit, R = 6 Ω,
The relation for current using Ohm’s law is,
I= (E/R) = (12/6) =2A
Potential drop across 1 Ω resistor = V1
From Ohm’s law, the value of V1 can be obtained as
V1 = (2 × 1) = 2 V … (i)
Potential drop across 2 Ω resistor = V2
Again, from Ohm’s law, the value of V2 can be obtained as
V2 = (2 × 2)= 4 V … (ii)
Potential drop across 3 Ω resistor = V3
Again, from Ohm’s law, the value of V3 can be obtained as
V3 = (2 × 3) = 6 V … (iii)
Therefore, the potential drop across 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω resistors are 2 V, 4 V, and 6 V respectively.
Question : 4
(a) Three resistors 2 Ω, 4 Ω and 5 Ω are combined in parallel. What is the total resistance of the combination?
(b) If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 20 V and negligible internal resistance, determine the current through each resistor, and the total current drawn from the battery.
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
R1 = 2Ω, R2 = 4Ω, R3 = 5Ω and V = 20V
- Using Formula, (1/Rp) = (1/ R1) + (1/ R2) +(1/ R3)
= (1/2) + (1/4) + (1/5)
= (10+5+4)/ (20)
= (19/20)
Or Rp = (20/19) Ω
- Using Formula,
I = (V/R)
I1 = (V/R1) = (20/2) = 10A
I2 = (V/R2) = (20/40) = 5A
I3 = (V/R3) = (20/5) = 4A
Therefore, I = (I1 + I2 + I3)
= (10+5+4) A
=19A
Mddle block 1
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity
Question : 5
At room temperature (27.0 °C) the resistance of a heating element is 100 Ω.
What is the temperature of the element if the resistance is found to be 117 Ω, given that the temperature coefficient of the material of the resistor is
α = (1.70 × 10–4 °C-1)
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Room temperature, T1 = 27°C
Resistance of the heating element at T, R1 = 100 Ω
Let Increased temperature of the filament = T1
Resistance of the heating element at T2, R2 = 117 Ω
α = (1.70 × 10–4 °C-1)
Temperature co-efficient of the material of the filament,
α = (R2 – R1)/ (R1 (T2 – T1))
(T2 – T1) = (R2 – R1)/(R α)
(T2 – 27) = (117 – 100)/ ((100(1.7 x 10-4))
(T2 – 27) =1000
T2 = 10270C
Therefore, at 1027°C, the resistance of the element is 117Ω.
Question : 6
A negligibly small current is passed through a wire of length 15 m and uniform cross-section 6.0 × 10–7 m2, and its resistance is measured to be 5.0 Ω.
What is the resistivity of the material at the temperature of the experiment?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Length of the wire, l =15 m
Area of cross-section of the wire, a = 6.0 × 10−7 m2
Resistance of the material of the wire, R = 5.0 Ω
Resistivity of the material of the wire = ρ
Resistance is related with the resistivity as
R= ρ (l/A)
ρ = (RA)/ (l)
ρ = (5x6x10-7)/ (15) =2×10-7 Ω m
Therefore, the resistivity of the material is 2 × 10−7 Ω m.
Question : 7
A silver wire has a resistance of 2.1 Ω at 27.5 °C, and a resistance of 2.7 Ω at 100 °C.
Determine the temperature coefficient of resistivity of silver.
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Temperature, T1 = 27.5°C
Resistance of the silver wire at T1, R1 = 2.1 Ω
Temperature, T2 = 100°C
Resistance of the silver wire at T2, R2 = 2.7 Ω
Temperature coefficient of silver = α
It is related with temperature and resistance as
α = (R2 – R1)/ (R1 (T2 –T1))
= (2.7 – 2.1)/ (2.1(100-27.5)) =0.0039°C−1
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity
Question : 8
A heating element using nichrome connected to a 230 V supply draws an initial current of 3.2 A which settles after a few seconds to a steady value of 2.8 A.
What is the steady temperature of the heating element if the room temperature is 27.0 °C?
Temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome averaged over the temperature range involved is 1.70 × 10−4 °C −1?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Supply voltage, V = 230 V
Initial current drawn, I1 = 3.2 A
Initial resistance = R1, which is given by the relation,
R1 = (V/I) = (230/3.2) =71.87 Ω.
Steady state value of the current, I2 = 2.8 A
Resistance at the steady state = R2, which is given as
R2 = (230/2.8) = 82.14 Ω.
Temperature co-efficient of nichrome, α = 1.70 × 10−4 °C −1
Initial temperature of nichrome, T1= 27.0°C
Study state temperature reached by nichrome = T2
T2 can be obtained by the relation for α,
α = (R2 – R1)/ (R1 (T2 – T1))
(T2 – 27)0C = (82.14 – 71.87)/ (71.87×1.7×10-4))
(T2 – 27)0C =840.5
T2 = 840.5 + 27
T2 =867.50C
Therefore, the steady temperature of the heating element is 867.5°C.
Question : 9
Determine the current in each branch of the network shown in Fig. 3.30:

Show Answer :
Answer :
Current flowing through various branches of the circuit is represented in the given figure.

I2 = Current flowing through branch AB
I3 = Current flowing through branch AD
I2 − I4 = Current flowing through branch BC
I3 + I4 = Current flowing through branch CD
I4 = Current flowing through branch BD
By Loop law:-
For the closed circuit ABDA, potential is zero i.e.
10I2 + 5I4 − 5I3 = 0
2I2 + I4 −I3 = 0
I3 = 2I2 + I4 … (1)
For the closed circuit BCDB, potential is zero i.e.
5(I2 − I4) − 10(I3 + I4) − 5I4 = 0
5I2 + 5I4 − 10I3 − 10I4 − 5I4 = 0
5I2 − 10I3 − 20I4 = 0
I2 = 2I3 + 4I4 … (2)
For the closed circuit ABCFEA, potential is zero i.e.
−10 + 10 (I1) + 10(I2) + 5(I2 − I4) = 0
10 = 15I2 + 10I1 − 5I4
3I2 + 2I1 − I4 = 2 … (3)
From equations (1) and (2), we obtain
I3 = 2(2I3 + 4I4) + I4
I3 = 4I3 + 8I4 + I4
− 3I3 = 9I4
− 3I4 = + I3 … (4)
Putting equation (4) in equation (1), we obtain
I3 = 2I2 + I4
− 4I4 = 2I2
I2 = − 2I4 … (5)
It is evident from the given figure that,
I1 = I3 + I2 … (6)
Putting equation (6) in equation (1), we obtain
3I2 +2(I3 + I2) − I4 = 2
5I2 + 2I3 − I4 = 2 … (7)
Putting equations (4) and (5) in equation (7), we obtain
5(−2 I4) + 2(− 3 I4) − I4 = 2
− 10I4 − 6I4 − I4 = 2
17I4 = − 2
I4 = – (2/17)
Equation (4) reduces to
I3 = − 3(I4)
=-3(-2/17) = (6/17) A
I2=-2(I4)
=-2(-2/17) = (4/17) A
I2 – I4 = (4/17) – (-2/17) = (6/17) A
I3+ I4 = (6/17) + (-2/17) = (4/17) A
I1 = I3 + I2 = (6/17) + (4/17) = (10/17) A
Therefore, current in branch AB= (4/17) A
In branch BC = (6/17) A
In branch CD = (4/17) A
In branch AD= (6/17) A
In branch BD = (-2/17) A
Total Current =(4/17) +(6/17)+(-4/17)+(6/17)+(-2/17)=(10/17) A
Question : 10
(a) In a metre bridge [Fig. 3.27], the balance point is found to be at 39.5 cm from the end A, when the resistor Y is of 12.5 Ω. Determine the resistance of X. Why are the connections between resistors in a Wheatstone or meter bridge made of thick copper strips?
(b) Determine the balance point of the bridge above if X and Y are interchanged.
(c) What happens if the galvanometer and cell are interchanged at the balance point of the bridge?
Would the galvanometer show any current?
Show Answer :
Answer :
- Balance point from end A, l1 = 39.5 cm
Resistance of the resistor Y = 12.5 Ω
Condition for the balance is given as,
(X/Y) = (100 – l1)/ (l1)
X = ((100 – 39.5)/ (39.5)) x 12.5
=8.2 Ω
Therefore, the resistance of resistor X is 8.2 Ω.
The connection between resistors in a Wheatstone or metre bridge is made of thick copper strips to minimize the resistance,
which is not taken into consideration in the bridge formula.
- If X and Y are interchanged, then l1 and (100−l1) get interchanged.
The balance point of the bridge will be (100−l1) from A.
(100−l1) = (100 − 39.5) = 60.5 cm
Therefore, the balance point is 60.5 cm from A.
- When the galvanometer and cell are interchanged at the balance point of the bridge, the galvanometer will show no deflection.
- Hence, no current would flow through the galvanometer.

Question : 11
A storage battery of emf 8.0 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is being charged by a 120 V dc supply using a series resistor of 15.5 Ω.
What is the terminal voltage of the battery during charging? What is the purpose of having a series resistor in the charging circuit?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Emf of the storage battery, E = 8.0 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 0.5 Ω
DC supply voltage, V = 120 V
Resistance of the resistor, R = 15.5 Ω
Effective voltage in the circuit = V’
R is connected to the storage battery in series. Hence, it can be written as
V’ = (V – E)
V’ = (120 – 8) = 112 V
Current flowing in the circuit = I, is given by the relation,
I = (V’)/(R+r)
= (112)/ (15.5 + 5)
= (112/16)
I = 7A
Voltage across resistor R given by the product, IR = 7 × 15.5 = 108.5 V
DC supply voltage = Terminal voltage of battery + Voltage drop across R
Terminal voltage of battery = 120 − 108.5 = 11.5 V
A series resistor in a charging circuit limits the current drawn from the external source.
The current will be extremely high in its absence. This is very dangerous.
Question : 12
In a potentiometer arrangement, a cell of emf 1.25 V gives a balance point at 35.0 cm length of the wire.
If the cell is replaced by another cell and the balance point shifts to 63.0 cm, what is the emf of the second cell?
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Emf of the cell, E1=1.25V
Balance point of the potentiometer, I1=35cm
The cell is replaced by another cell of Emf E2.
New balance point of the potentiometer, I2=63cm
The balance condition id given by the relation,
(E1/ E2) = (I1/ I2)
E2 = E1 x (I2/ I1)
=1.25 x (63/35)
=2.25V.
Therefore, Emf of the second cell is 2.25 V.
Question : 13
The number density of free electrons in a copper conductor estimated in Example 3.1 is 8.5 × 1028 m–3.
How long does an electron take to drift from one end of a wire 3.0 m long to its other end?
The area of cross-section of the wire is 2.0 × 10–6 m2 and it is carrying a current of 3.0 A.
Show Answer :
Answer :
Given:
Number density of free electrons in a copper conductor, n = 8.5 × 1028 m−3 Length of the copper wire, l = 3.0 m
Area of cross-section of the wire, A = 2.0 × 10−6 m2
Current carried by the wire, I = 3.0 A, which is given by the relation,
I = nAeVd Where, e = Electric charge = 1.6 × 10−19 C, Vd = Drift velocity
Vd = (length of wire)/ (Time taken to cover) = (l/t)
I = Ane (l/t)
t= (nAel)/ (t)
= (3 x 8.5 x 1028 x 2 x 10-6x 1.6 x 10-19)/ (3.0)
= (2.7 x 104) sec
Therefore, the time taken by an electron to drift from one end of the wire to the other is 2.7 × 104 s.
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Physics Current Electricity

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