NUCLEUS

ENTHUSE

IIT PHYSICS
CURRENT ELECTRICITY

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831
 KEY CONCEPTS
1. ELECTRIC CURRENT
q
iav(average current) =
t
q dq
i (instantaneous current) = Lim 
t 0 t dt
SI unit : AMPERE
2. ELECTRIC CURRENT IN A CONDUCTOR
I = nqAVd.
I = current
n = number of charge carriers per unit volume
A = area of cross section
Vd = drift velocity

 eE
vd = - τ (For derivation refer NCERT Section-3.5)
m
e = charge of electron
m = mass of electron
E = electric field
    = relaxation time
3. CURRENT DENSITY(J) & MOBILITY (µ)
 ne2 
J= τE
m
dA
+ dA

I J I J
–
n

dA cos 
 
I   J.dA
| Vd | e 
µ =
E m
SI unit m2/Vs

Ex. The current density at a point J is = (2 × 104 ˆj ) Jm–2. Find the rate of charge flow through a

cross-sectional area S  (2 ˆi  3j)
ˆ cm2 .
  
Sol. The rate of flow of charge = current = I =  J.dS  I  J.S  (2 104 ) ˆj.(2 ˆi  3j)
ˆ  104 A  64
 
Ex. A potential difference applied to the ends of a wire made up of an alloy drives a current through it.
The current density varies as J = 3 + 2r, where r is the distance of the point from the axis. If R be
the radius of the wire, then the total current through any cross section of the wire.
Sol. Consider a circular strip of radius r and thickness dr

dI = J.dS = (3+ 2r)(2rdr)cos 0° = 2(3r + 2r2 )dr
R
R  3r 2 2 2   3R 2 2R 3 
I 2(3r  2 r ) dr  2 
2
 r   2    units
0
 2 3 0  2 3 

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 1
Ex. What will be the number of electron passing through a heater wire in one minute, if it carries a
current of 8 A.
Ne It 8  60
Sol. I N  19
 3 1021 electrons
t e 1.6 10
Ex. A current of 1.34 A exists in a copper wire of cross–section 1.0 mm2. Assuming each copper atom
contributes one free electron. Calculate the drift speed of the free electrons in the wire. The density
of copper is 8990 kg/m3 and atomic mass = 63.50.
Sol. Mass of 1m3 volume of the copper is = 8990 kg = 8990 × 103 g
8990 103
Number of moles in 1m3 =  1.4 105
63.5
Since each mole contains 6 × 1023 atoms therefore number of atoms in 1m3
n = (1.4 × 105) × (6 × 1023) = 8.4 × 1028
 I = neAvd
I 1.34
 vd =  = 10–4 m/s = 0.1 mm/s ( 1 mm2 = 10–6 m2)
neA 8.4 10 1.6 10 19 10 6
28

Ex. Figure shows a conductor of length  carrying current I and having a circular cross – section. The
radius of cross section varies linearly from a to b. Assuming that (b – a) << . Calculate current
density at distance x from left end.
b
a


Sol. Since radius at left end is a and that of right end is b,
Therefore increase in radius over length  is (b – a).
 ba 
Hence rate of increase of radius per unit length =  
  
 ba 
Increases in radius over length x =  x
  
 ba 
Since radius at left end is a so radius at distance x, r = a +  x
  
2
  ba  
Area at this particular section A = r =  a  
2
 x
    
I I I
Hence current density J =  2 
A r  x(b a) 
2

 a 
  
4. ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE (R) & OHM’S LAW
 eE 
I = neAVd = neA  
m
V
E
l

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 2
  ne2    A  A V
So, I     × V    × V 
 m  l   l  R
V = IR
m 1
 is called resistivity (it is also called specific resistance) and    , is called conductivity
ne  
2

SI Units:
R ohm(),
 ohm–meter(–m)
also called siemens,
–1m–1.

Dependence of Resistance on Temperature :

R = Ro (1 + T–T0).
 = thermal coefficient of resistivity (positive for conductors and negative for semi conductors
and insulators)
5. ELECTRICAL POWER
P = VI
Energy =  Pdt
V2
P = I2R = VI =
R
V2
H = VIt = I2 Rt = t
R
H = I2 RT
Ex. An electric heater and an electric bulb are rated 500 W, 220 V and 100 W, 220 V respectively.
Both are connected in series to a 220 V a.c. mains. Calculate power consumed by (i) heater (ii)
bulb.
V2 V2 (220) 2
Sol. P or R = , For heater. Resistance Rh = = 96.8 
E P 500
(220)2
 For bulb resistance RL = = 484 
100
V 220
 Current in the circuit when both are connected in series I =  = 0.38 A
R L  R h 484  96.8
(i) Power consumed by heater = I2Rh = (0.38)2 × 96.8 = 13.98 W
(ii) Power consumed by bulb = I2RL = (0.38)2 × 484 = 69.89 W

Ex. A heater coil is rated 100 W, 200 V. It is cut into two identical parts. Both parts are connected
together in parallel, to the same source of 200 V. Calculate the energy liberated per second in the
new combination.

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 3
 V2 V2 (200) 2
Sol. P = R= =  400
R P 100
400
Resistance of half piece =  200 
2
400
Resistance of pieces connected in parallel =  100 
2
V 2 200  200
Energy liberated/second P =   400 W
R 100
Ex. The power of a heater is 500W at 800°C. What will be its power at 200°C. If  = 4 × 10–4 per °C?
V 2 P200 R 800 R 0 (1  4 104  800) 500 1.32
Sol. P    4
 P200   611W
R P800 R 200 R 0 (1  4 10  200) 1.08

Ex. When a battery sends current through a resistance R1 for time t, the heat produced in the resistor is
Q. When the same battery sends current through another resistance R2 for time t, the heat produced
in R2 is again Q. Determine the internal resistance of battery.
2 2
 E   E 
Sol.   R1    R 2  r  R 2R 2
 R1  r   R2  r 

Ex. How much time heater will take to increase the temperature of 100 g water by 50°C if resistance
of heating coil is 484  and supply voltage is 220 V a.c.
V2 220  220
Sol. Heat given by heater = heat taken by water  t = ms J
R 484
t = (100 × 10–3) (4.2 × 103) (50)  t = 210s

6. KIRCHHOFF'S LAWS
I - Law (Junction law or Nodal Analysis) : This law is based on law of conservation of charge .
It states that " The algebraic sum of the currents meeting at a point is zero " or total currents
entering a junction equals total current leaving the junction .
 Iin = Iout. It is also known as KCL (Kirchhoff's current law) .

II - Law (Loop analysis) :The algebraic sum of all the voltages in

closed circuit is zero.
IR + EMF = 0 in a closed loop . The closed loop can be
traversed in any direction. While traversing a loop if higher potential
point is entered, put a + ve sign in expression or if lower potential
point is entered put a negative sign .    
  
 V1 V2 +V3 V4 = 0. Boxes may contain resistor or battery or any other element (linear or
non-linear).
It is also known as KVL (Kirchhoff's voltage law) .

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 4
7. COMBINATION OF RESISTANCES : (for derivations refer NCERT Section-3.10)
(1) Resistances in Series:
R = R1 + R2 + R3 +................ + Rn (this means Req is greater than any resistor)

(2) Resistances in Parallel :

1 1 1 1 1
    .........  (this means Req is smaller than any resistor)
R eq R1 R 2 R 3 Rn

Ex. A copper wire of length ‘’ and radius ‘r’ is nickel plated till its final radius is 2r. If the resistivity
of the copper and nickel are Cu and Ni, then find the equivalent resistance of wire?
 
Sol. R=  ; Resistance of copper wire RCu = Cu 2
A r
Ni
( A = r2) r 2r Cu
 ANi = (2r)2 – r2 = 3r2 L

  Resistance of Nickel wire RNi =  Ni
3r 2
R Cu R Ni     
Both wire are connected in parallel. So equivalent resistance R =   Cu Ni  2
R Cu  R Ni  3Cu  Ni  r

Ex. The resistance 4 R, 16 R, 64 R ...  are connected in series. Find their equivalent resistance.
Sol. Resultant of the given combination Req = 4R + 16R + 64R + ...  = 

Ex. Resistance R, 2R, 4R, 8R... are connected in parallel. What is their resultant resistance ?
 
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1  1  1  2 R
Sol.     ............  1    ...       R eq 
R eq R 2R 4R 8R R 2 4  R 1  1  R 2
 2

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 5
Ex. In the given circuit calculate potential difference between the points P and Q.
Sol. Applying Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) 8V 12V
1 2 Q
1 P
12 – 8 = (1) I + (9) I + (2) I  I = A
3 I
9
Potential difference between the points P and Q,
1
VP –VQ = 9  = 3 = volt
3

Ex. A wire of L = 10–6 / m is turned in the form of a circle of diameter 2 m. A piece of same
material is connected in diameter AB. Then find resistance between A and B.
Sol.  R = L × length R1 r
 R1 =  × 10 ,
–6
R2
R2 = 2 × 10 ,
–6 A 2r B

R3 =  × 10–6   R3 r
1 1 1 1
 6
 6
 ; R AB = 0.88 × 10–6 ohm.
R AB 10 2 10 106

8. WHEATSTONE NETWORK:

Current through the galvanometer is zero (null point or balance point) if

R1 R 2
 (Refer NCERT Section-3.14)
R4 R3
9. GROUPING OF CELLS
(1) Cells in Series :


Equivalent EMF Eeq = E1 + E2 + ....... + En [write EMF's with polarity]
Equivalent internal resistance req = r1 + r2 + r3 + r4 + .... + rn
(2) Cells in Parallel:
1  2 
  ......  n
r r2 rn
E eq  1 [Use emf with polarity]
1 1 1
  ...... 
r1 r2 rn

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 6
 1 1 1 1
   ...... 
req r1 r2 rn
Ex. A battery of six cells each of e.m.f. 2 V and internal resistance 0.5  is being charged by D. C.
mains of e.m.f. 220 V by using an external resistance of 10 . What will be the charging current.
Sol. Net e.m.f of the battery = 12V and total internal resistance = 3
Total resistance of the circuit = 3 + 10 = 13  6 cells 3
Net e.m.f 220  12 220V 10
 Charging current I =   16 A
total resistance 13
Ex. A battery of six cells each of e.m.f. 2V and internal resistance 0.5  is being charged by D.C.
mains of e.m.f. 220 V by using an external resistance of 10 . What is the potential difference
across the battery?
Sol. In case of charging of battery, terminal potential V = E + Ir = 12 + 16 × 3 = 60 volt.
Ex. Four identical cells each of e.m.f. 2V are joined in parallel providing supply of current to external
circuit consisting of two 15 resistors joined in parallel. The terminal voltage of the equivalent
cell as read by an ideal voltmeter is 1.6V calculate the internal resistance of each cell.
E r
r
Sol. Total internal resistance of the combination req = r
4 E
Total e.m.f. Eeq = 2 V E r
r
15 15 15 E
Total external resistance R =   7.5
15  15 2 15

terminal potential 1.6 15

Current drawn from equivalent cell I =  A r
external resistance 7.5 4
E
r r
 E  I    1.6  E  I    1.6  r  7.5 1.6V
4 4
7.5
Ex. The e.m.f. of a primary cell is 2 V, when it is shorted then it gives a current of 4 A. Calculate
internal resistance of primary cell.
E E E 2
Sol. I= , If cell is shorted then R = 0, I = r =   0.5 
rR r I 4
Ex. n rows each containing m cells in series, are joined in parallel. Maximum current is taken from
this combination in a 3  resistance. If the total number of cells used is 24 and internal resistance
of each cell is 0.5 , find the value of m and n.
Sol. Total number of cell mn = 24,
mr 3n
For maximum current  R  0.5m  3n, m   6n
n 0.5
6n × n = 24  n = 2 and m × 2 = 24  m = 12
Ex. In the given circuit calculate potential difference between A and B.
Sol. First applying KVL on left mesh 2 – 3 I1 – 2 I1 = 0  I1 = 0.4 amp. 2V 4V 4V
2 3 3 5

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831
I1 7 I2
A B
 Now applying KVL on right mesh. 4 – 5 I2 – 3 I2 = 0 I2 = 0.5 amp.
Potential difference between points A and B
VA – VB = – 3 × 0.4 – 4 + 3 × 0.5 = – 3.7 volt.
Ex. In the following circuit diagram, the galvanometer reading is zero. If the internal resistance of
cells are negligible then what is the value of X ?
a G
400 Ig
I
10V x 2V
I
b
10
Sol.  Ig = 0  I
400  X
Also potential difference across X is 2V  1X = 2
10X  10 
 2  I    X  100
400  X  400  X 
Ex. Each resistance is of 1 in the circuit diagram shown in figure. Find out equivalent resistance
between A and B

A B

8
Sol. By symmetric line method RAB = (2 + 1 || 2) || 2 = 
7
2 1

2
A B 2

Ex. Identical resistance of resistance R are connected as in figure then find out out net resistance
between x and y.

x y

Sol. Given circuit can be modified according to following figures

F F F

R R R R R R
A B C
D B B
E X Y X Y
X Y R R R R
3 3 3 3

R R R R R R R

G G

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 8
 1 1 3 1 5 2R
     R xy 
R xy 2R 2R 2R 2R 5

Ex. In the adjoining network of resistors each is of resistance r . Find the equivalent resistance
between point A and B
C
r r r
AB
r r
D E
Sol. Given circuit is balanced Wheat stone Bridge
r C C
B B
r r
r r
r
r A r A
D D
1 1 1 1
    R AB  r
R AB 2r 2r r
10. AMMETER
A shunt (small resistance) is connected in parallel with galvanometer to convert it into ammeter.
An ideal ammeter has zero resistance

Ammeter is represented as follows –

If maximum value of current to be measured by ammeter is I then IG . RG = (I – IG)S

I ·R I  RG
S= G G S= G when I >> IG.
I  IG I
where I = Maximum current that can be measured using the given ammeter.
11. VOLTMETER
A high resistance is put in series with galvanometer. It is used to measure potential difference
across a resistor in a circuit.

For maximum potential difference

V = IG . RS + IG RG

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 9
 V
RS =  RG
IG
V
If RG << RS  RS 
IG
Ex. A 100 volt voltmeter whose resistance is 20 k is connected in series to a very high resistance R.
When it is joined in a line of 110 volt, it reads 5 volt. What is the magnitude of resistance R ?
110
Sol. When voltmeter connected in 110 volt line, Current through the voltmeter I =
(20 103  R)
The potential difference across the voltmeter V = IRV
110  20 103
5=
(20 103  R)
 20 × 103 + R = 440 × 103  R = 420 × 103 

Ex. When a shunt of 4 is attached to a galvanometer, the deflection reduces to 1/5th. If an additional
shunt of 2 is attached what will be the deflection?
I 4
Sol. Initial condition : When shunt of 4 used  G  I  4  G  16
5 5
I I
I
4I G
5 5

S=4
4 I
When additional shunt of 2 used I’ × 16 = (I – I’)  I' 
3 13

I
 It will reduce to of the initial deflection
13

Ex. A galvanometer having 30 divisions has current sensitivity of 20A/division. It has a resistance of
25 .
(i) How will you convert it into an ammeter measuring upto 1 ampere.
(ii) How will you convert this ammeter into a voltmeter upto 1 volt.
Sol. The current required for full scale deflection Ig = 20 A × 30 = 600 A = 6 × 10–4A
(i) To convert it into ammeter, a shunt is required in parallel with it
Ig R g  6 104 
shunt resistance R’s =   25  0.015
(I Ig )  1  6 104 

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 10
 (ii) To convert galvanometer into voltmeter, a high resistance in series with it is required series
V 1
resistance R =  R g  –25 = 1666.67 – 25 = 1641.67 
ig 6 104



12. POTENTIOMETER (Reference NCERT Section-3.16)
Primary circuit :
 
I ; VA  VB  ·R
rR Rr
Potential gradient (x) Potential difference per unit
length of wire
V  VB  R
x A  ·
L Rr L

Applications of potentiometer
(a) To find emf of unknown cell and compare emf of two cells.
In case I,
In figure (1) is joint to (2) then balance length = l1
1 = xl1 ....(1)
In case II,
In figure (3) is joint to (2) then balance length = l2
2 = xl2 ....(2)
1 l1

 2 l2
If any one of 1 or 2 is known the other can be found. If x is
known then both 1 and 2 can be found.
(b) To find current if resistance is known
VA – VC = xl1
IR1 = xl1
xl1
I 1
R1
Similarly, we can find the value of R2 also.
Potentiometer is ideal voltmeter because it does not draw any current from circuit, at the
balance point.
(c) To find the internal resistance of cell.
1st arrangement 2nd arrangement

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 11
 by first arrangement ’ = xl1 ...(1)
by second arrangement IR = xl2
xl 
I  2 , Also I =
R r  R
 xl xl1 xl
  2   2
r  R R r  R R
l  l 
  r   1 2  R
 l2 
(d) Ammeter and voltmeter can be graduated by potentiometer.
(e) Ammeter and voltmeter can be calibrated by potentiometer.
(f) Potentiometer can be used as a potential divider
Ex. There is a definite potential difference between the two ends of a potentiometer. Two cells are
connected in such a way that first time help each other, and second time they oppose each other.
They are balanced on the potentiometer wire at 120 cm length respectively. Compare the
electromotive force of the cells.
Sol. Suppose the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire = x and the emf's of the two cells are
E1 and E2.
When the cells help each other, the resultant emf = (E1 + E2)
E1 + E2 = x × 120 cm ...(i)
When the cells oppose each other, the resultant emf = (E1 – E2)
E1 – E2 = x × 60 cm ...(ii)
E  E 2 120 cm
From equation (i) and (ii) 1   E1 + E2 = 2(E1 – E2)  3E2 = E1  d
E1  E 2 60 cm

13. METRE BRIDGE (USED TO MEASURE UNKNOWN RESISTANCE)

(Reference NCERT Section-3.15)
If AB = l cm, then BC = (100 – l) cm.
Resistance of the wire between A and B , R  l
[ Specific resistance  and cross-sectional area A are same for whole of the wire ]
or R=l ...(1)
where  is resistance per cm of wire.

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 12
 If P is the resistance of wire between A and B then
P l  P = (l)
Similarly, if Q is resistance of the wire between B and C, then
Q  100 – l
 Q = (100 – l) ...(2)
Dividing (1) by (2),
P l

Q 100  l
Applying the condition for balanced Wheatstone bridge, we get R Q = P X
Q
 x= R
P
100  l
or X R
l
Since R and l are known, therefore, the value of X can be calculated.

14. COLOUR CODE FOR CARBON RESISTORS

Colour Strip A Strip B Strip C Strip D
(Tolerance)

Black 0 0 100
Brown 1 1 100
Red 2 2 100
Orange 3 3 100
Yellow 4 4 100
Green 5 5 100
Blue 6 6 100
Violet 7 7 100
Grey 8 8 100
White 9 9 100
Gold - - 100 ± 5%
Silver - - 100 ± 10%
No colour - - - ± 20%

Ex. Draw a colour code for 42 k  ± 10% carbon resistance.

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 13
Sol. According to colour code colour for digit 4 is yellow, for digit 2 it is red, for 3 colour is orange
and 10% tolerance is represented by silver colour. So colour code should be yellow, red, orange
and silver.
Ex. What is resistance of following resistor.

Violet Gold

Sol. Number for yellow is 4, Number of violet is 7

Brown colour gives multiplier 101, Gold gives a tolerance of ± 5%
So resistance of resistor is 47 × 101  ± 5% = 470 ± 5% .

NUCLEUS-92, Rajeev Gandhi Nagar, Kota (Raj.) India 324005, Mob. 9358006181, 97831-97831 14