NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 12 Electricity

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NCERT Intext Questions

Page Number 200

1. What does an electric circuit mean?

Ans. A continuous and closed path along which an electric current flows is called an electric circuit.

2. Define the unit of current.

Ans. Unit of current is ampere. If one coulomb of charge flows through any section of a conductor in one second then the current through it is said to be one ampere.

$$\text{I}=\frac{\text{Q}}{\text{t}}\space\text{or}\space\text{1A}=\text{ICs}^{\normalsize-1}$$

3. Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge.

Ans. Charge on one electron, e = 1.6 × 10^-19 C

Total charge, Q = 1 C

$$\text{Number of electrons, n}=\frac{Q}{e}\\=\frac{1}{1.6×10^{-19}}\\=6.25×10^{18}$$

Page Number 202

1. Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor.

Ans. A battery.

2. What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is 1V?

Ans. The potential difference between two points is said to be 1 volt if 1 joule of work is done in moving 1 coulomb of electric charge from one point to the other.

3. How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V battery ?

Ans. Energy given by battery

= charge × potential difference

or W = QV

= 1C × 6V

= 6 J.

Page Number 209

1. On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend ?

Ans. The resistance of a conductor depends (i) on its length (ii) on its area of cross-section and (iii) on the nature of its material.

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 ?

Ans. The current will flow more easily through a thick wire than a thin wire of the same material. Larger the area of cross-section of a conductor, more is the ease with which the electrons can move through the conductor. Therefore, smaller is the resistance of the conductor.

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 ?

Ans. When potential difference is halved, the current through the component also decreases to half of its initial value. This is according to Ohm’s law i.e., V ∝ I.

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

Ans. The coils of electric toasters, electric irons and other heating devices are made of an alloy rather than a pure metal because (i) the resistivity of an alloy is much higher than that of a pure metal, and (ii) an alloy does not undergo oxidation (or burn) easily even at high temperature, when it is red hot.

5. Use the data in Table 12.2 to answer the following:

(a) Which among iron and mercury is a better conductor ?
(b) Which material is the best conductor ?

Ans. (a) Resistivity of iron = 10.0 × 10^-8 Ω m
Resistivity of mercury = 94.0 × 10-8 Ω m.
Thus iron is a better conductor because it has lower resistivity than mercury.
(b) Because silver has the lowest resistivity (= 1.60 × 10^-8Ω m), therefore silver is the best conductor.

Page Number 213

1. Draw a schematic diagram of a circuit consisting of a battery of three cells of 2V each, a 5Ω resistor, an 8Ω resistor, and a 12Ω resistor, and a plug key, all connected in series.

Ans. The required circuit diagram is shown below:

2. Redraw the circuit of Questions 1, putting in an ammeter to measure the current through the resistors and a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the 12Ω resistor. What would be the readings in the ammeter and the voltmeter?

Ans. The required circuit diagram is shown on the below.
Total voltage, V = 3 × 2 = 6V
Total resistance, R = 5Ω + 8Ω + 12Ω = 25Ω

$$\text{Reading of ammeter, I}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}=\frac{\text{6}}{\text{25}}=0.24\text{A}\\\text{Reading of voltmeter V = IR =}0.24×12=2.88V$$

Page Number 216

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

(a) 1 Ω and 10⁶ Ω,
(b) 1 Ω and 10³ Ω and 10⁶ Ω.
Ans. When the resistances are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is smaller than the smallest individual resistance.
(a) Equivalent resistance < 1 Ω.
(b) Equivalent resistance < 1 Ω.

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 220V 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 ?

Ans. Resistance of electric lamp, R₁ = 100 Ω
Resistance of toaster, R₂ = 50 Ω
Resistance of water filter, R₃ = 500 Ω
Equivalent resistance R_p of the three appliances connected in parallel, is

$$\frac{1}{\text{R}_\text{p}}=\frac{1}{\text{R}_1}+\frac{1}{\text{R}_2}+\frac{1}{\text{R}_3}\\=\frac{1}{100}+\frac{1}{50}+\frac{1}{500}=\frac{16}{500}\\\text{or}\space\text{R}_\text{p}=\frac{500}{16}Ω=31.25Ω\\\text{Resistance of electric iron = Equivalent resistance of the three appliances connected in parallel = 31.25 Ω}\\\text{Applied voltage, V =}220\text{V}\\\text{Current, I}=\frac{V}{R}\\=\frac{220\space\text{V}}{31.25\space\text{Ω}}=7.04\text{A}$$

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

Ans. Advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel with the battery are :

In parallel circuits, if an electrical appliance stops working due to some defect, then all other appliances keep working normally.
In parallel circuits, each electrical appliance has its own switch due to which it can be turned on or turned off independently, without affecting other appliances.
In parallel circuits, each electrical appliance gets the same voltage (220 V) as that of the power supply line.
In the parallel connection of electrical appliances, the overall resistance of the household circuit is reduced due to which the current from the power supply is high.

4. How can three resistors of resistances 2 Ω, 3 Ω, and 6 Ω be connected to give a total resistance of (i) 4 Ω, (ii) 1 Ω ?

Sol. (i) We can get a total resistance of 4 Ω by connecting the 2 Ω resistance in series with the parallel combination of 3 Ω and 6 Ω.

$$\text{R}=\text{R}_1+\frac{\text{R}_2\text{R}_3}{\text{R}_2+\text{R}_3}\\=2+\frac{3×6}{3+6}=4Ω$$

(ii) We can obtain a total resistance of 1 Ω by connecting resistors of 2 Ω, 3 Ω and 6 Ω in parallel.

$$\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{1}{\text{R}_1}+\frac{1}{\text{R}_2}\\=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{6}=\frac{1}{1}\\\text{or}\space \text{R}=1Ω $$

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?

Sol. (a) Highest resistance can be obtained by connecting the four coils in series.

Then, R = 4 Ω + 8 Ω + 12 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω

(b) Lowest resistance can be obtained by connecting the four coils in parallel.

Then, R = 4 Ω + 8 Ω + 12 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω

$$\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{8}+\frac{1}{12}+\frac{1}{24}\\=\frac{6+3+2+1}{24}=\frac{12}{24}\\=\text{R}=2 Ω.$$

Page Number 218

1. Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does ?

Sol. Heat generated in a circuit is given by I²R t. The heating element of an electric heater made of nichrome glows because it becomes red-hot due to the large amount of heat produced on passing current because of its high resistance, but the cord of the electric heater made of copper does not glow because negligible heat is produced in it by passing current because of its extremely low resistance.

2. Compute the heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of charge in one hour through a potential difference of 50 V.

Sol. Here, Q = 96,000 C, t = 1 hour = 1 × 60 × 60 sec = 3,600 s, V = 50 V

Heat generated, H = VQ = 50V × 96,000 C = 48,00,000 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.

Sol. Here, R = 20 Ω, I = 5 A, t = 3s

Heat developed, H = I² R t = 25 × 20 × 30 = 15,000 J

= 1.5 × 10⁴ J.

Page Number 220

1. What determines the rate at which energy is delivered by a current ?

Ans. Resistance of the circuit determines the rate at which energy is delivered by a current.

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.

Ans. Here, I = 5 A, V = 220 V, t = 2 h = 7,200 s

Power, P = VI = 220 × 5 = 1100 W

Energy consumed = P × t = 100 W × 7200 s

= 7,20,000 J = 7.2 × 10⁵ J

NCERT 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 :

(a) 1/25

(b) 1/5

(d) 25

Ans. (d) 25

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

(a) I²R

(b) IR²

(d) V²/R

Ans. (d) IR²

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

(a) 100 W

(b) 75 W

(d) 25 W

Ans. (d) 25W

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 :

(a) 1 : 2

(b) 2 : 1

(d) 4 : 1

Ans. (c) 1 : 4

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

Ans. A voltmeter is connected in parallel to measure the potential difference between two points.

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 ?

$$\textbf{Ans.}\space\text{Radius, r}=\frac{0.5}{2}=0.25\space\text{mm}=\frac{0.25}{1000}\text{m}=0.25×10^{-3}\text{m},\\ρ=1.6×10^{-8}\text{ohm}\space\text{m},\text{R}=10Ω, \text{l}=?\\\text{Now},\space\text{R}=ρ\frac{l}{A}=ρ\frac{l}{\pi r^{2}}\\\text{Therefore},\space l=\frac{\pi \text{r}^{2}\text{R}}{ρ}\\=\frac{3.14×(0.025)^{2}×10}{1.6×10^{-6}}\text{cm}\\= 12265.625\space\text{cm}\\=122.6\space\text{m}\\\text{Again},\space\text{R}=ρ\frac{l}{\text{A}}=ρ\frac{l}{\pi d^{2}/4}\\\text{i.e.}\space\text{R}∝\frac{1}{d^{2}}\\\text{If a wire of diameter doubled to it is taken, then area of cross-section becomes four times.}\\\text{New resistance =}\frac{10}{4}=2.5\space Ω,\text{Thus, the new resistance will be}\space\frac{1}{4}\space\text{times}.\\\text{Decrease in resistance = (10 – 2.5) Ω = 7.5 Ω}$$

7. The values of current I flowing in a given resistor for the corresponding values of potential difference V across the resistor are given below :


I (amperes)	0.5	1.0	2.0	3.0	4.0
V (volts)	1.6	3.4	6.7	10.2	13.2

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

Sol. The graph between V and I for the above data is shown below.

The slope of the graph will give the value of resistance.

Let us consider two points P and Q on the graph and from P along Y-axis, which meet at point R.

Now, QR = 10.2V – 3.4V = 6.8V

And PR = 3 – 1 = 2A

$$\text{Slope }=\frac{\text{PR}}{\text{QR}}=\frac{1}{\text{V}}=\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{2}{6.8}=\frac{1}{3.4}\\\text{Thus, resistance, R = 3.4 Ω}$$

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.

Sol. Here, V = 12 V and I = 2.5 mA = 2.5 × 10^-3A

$$\therefore\space\text{Resistance, R}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{I}}=\frac{12}{2.5}×10^{3}=4,800\spaceΩ$$

9. A battery of 9V 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?

Sol. Total resistance,

Potential difference, V = 9 V

$$\text{Current through the series circuit, I}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}\\=\frac{9\text{V}}{13.4Ω}=0.67\text{A}\\\because\text{There is no division of current in series. Therefore current through 12 Ω resistor = 0.67 A.}$$

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

Sol. Suppose n resistors of 176 Ω are connected in parallel.

$$\text{Then},\space\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{1}{176}+\frac{1}{176}+…n\space\text{times}\\\text{or}\space\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{n}{176}\space\text{or}\space\text{R}=\frac{176}{n}Ω\\\text{By Ohm’s law, R}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{I}}\space\text{or}\frac{176}{n}=\frac{220}{5}\\\text{or}\space n=\frac{176×5}{220}=4\\\text{Thus 4 resistors are needed to be connected.}$$

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.

Sol. Here, R₁ = R₂ = R₃ = 6 Ω.

(i) When we connect R₁ in series with the parallel combination of R₂ and R₃ as shown in Fig. (a).

The equivalent resistance is:

$$\text{R}=\text{R}_1+\frac{\text{R}_2\text{R}_3}{\text{R}_2+\text{R}_3}=6+\frac{6×6}{6+6}=6+3=9\spaceΩ$$

(ii) When we connect a series combination of R₁ and R₂ in parallel with R₃, as shown in Fig.

(b), the equivalent resistance is:

$$\text{R}=\frac{12×6}{12+6}=4Ω$$

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 ?

Sol. Here, current, I = 5 A, voltage, V = 220 V

∴ Maximum power, P = I x V = 5 x 220 = 1100 W

Required no. of lamps = Max. Power of 1 lamp

$$=\frac{1100}{10}=110$$

∴ 110 lamps can be connected in parallel.

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?

Sol. (i) When the two coils A and B are used separately. R = 24 Ω, V = 220 V

$$\text{Current, I}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}=\frac{220\space\text{V}}{24\spaceΩ}=9.167A\\\text{(ii) When the two coils are connected in series,}\\\text{R = 24 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω}\\\text{V}=220\text{V}\\\text{Current, I }=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}=\frac{220\space\text{V}}{48\space Ω}=4.58\text{A}\\\text{(iii) When the two coils are connected in parallel.}\\\text{R}=\frac{24×24}{24+24}=12Ω\\\text{V = 220V}\\\text{Current I}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}=\frac{220\text{V}}{12Ω}=18.33\text{A}$$

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

(i) a 6 V battery in series with 1 Ω and 2 Ω resistors, and

(ii) a 4 V battery in parallel with 12 Ω and 2 Ω resistors.

Sol. (i) The circuit diagram is shown in figure. Total resistance, R = 1 Ω + 2 Ω = 3 Ω

Potential difference, V = 6 V

Power used in 2Ω resistor

= I²R' = (2)² × 2 = 8 W = 12

(ii) The circuit diagram for this case is shown :

$$\text{Power used in 2 resistor =}\frac{\text{V}^{2}}{\text{R}}=\frac{4^{2}}{2}=8\space\text{W}.$$

[∵ Current is different for different resistors in parallel combination.]

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?

Sol. Power of first lamp (P₁) = 100 W

Potential difference (V) = 220 V

∴ Current through first lamp (I₁)

$$\therefore\space\text{Current through first lamp (I}_1)=\frac{\text{P}_1}{\text{V}}=\frac{100}{220}\space\text{A}\\\text{Resistance of first lamp (R}_1) =\frac{\text{V}}{\text{I}_1}\\=\frac{220}{100/200}Ω=484Ω\\\text{Similarly, for second lamp, P}_2 = 60\text{W,V} = 220\text{V}\\\therefore\text{Current flowing through the second lamp}\space(\text{I}_2)=\frac{\text{P}_2}{\text{V}}=\frac{60}{220}\text{A}\\\therefore\space\text{Resistance of second lamp (R}_2)=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{I}_2}=\frac{220}{60/220}Ω=\frac{220×220}{60}=\frac{2420}{2}Ω\\\therefore\text{Equivalent resistance in mains},\frac{1}{\text{R}}=\frac{1}{\text{R}_1}+\frac{1}{\text{R}_2}\\=\frac{1}{484}+\frac{3}{2420}=\frac{5+3}{2420}=\frac{8}{2420}\\\text{or}\space\text{R}=\frac{2420}{8}Ω\\\text{And potential difference of mains V = 220V} \\\therefore\space\text{Current drawn from the mains (I)}=\frac{\text{V}}{\text{R}}=\frac{220}{2420/8}=\frac{220×8}{2420}=0.7227\text{A}=0.73\text{A}$$

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

Sol. Energy used by 250 W TV set in 1 hour = 250 W × 1 h = 250 Wh

Energy used by 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes =

$$1200\text{W}×10\space\text{min}=1200×\frac{10}{60}=200\space\text{Wh}\\\text{Thus, the TV set uses more energy than the toaster.}$$

17. An electric heater of resistance 8 Ω draws 15 A from the service mains for 2 hours. Calculate the rate at which heat is developed in the heater.

Sol. Here, R = 8 Ω, I = 15 A, t = 2 h

The rate at which heat is developed in the heater is equal to the power.

Therefore, P = I² R = (15)² x 8 = 1800 Js^-1

18. Explain the following:

(a) Why is tungsten used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamps ?
(b) Why are the conductors of electric heating devices, such as bread-toasters and electric irons, made of an alloy rather than a pure metal ?
(c) Why is the series arrangement not used for domestic circuits ?
(d) How does the resistance of a wire vary with its area of cross-section ?
(e) Why are copper and aluminium wires usually employed for electricity transmission?

Ans. (a) The tungsten is used almost exclusively for filament of electric lamps because it has a very high melting point (3300°C). On passing electricity through tungsten filament, its temperature reaches to 2700°C and it gives heat and light energy without being melted.
(b) The conductors of electric heating devices such as bread-toasters and electric irons, are made of an alloy rather than a pure metal because the resistivity of an alloy is much higher than that of pure metal and an alloy does not undergo oxidation (or burn) easily even at high temperature.
(c) The series arrangement is not used for domestic circuits because in series circuit, if one electrical appliance stops working due to some defect, than all other appliances also stop working because the whole circuit is broken.
(d) The resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its area of cross-section, i.e., Resistance R ∝ (1/πr²). If the area of cross section of a conductor of fixed length is increased, then resistance decreases because there are more free electrons for movement in conductor.
(e) Copper and aluminium wires are usually employed for electricity transmission because they have very low resistances. So, they do not become too hot on passing electric current through them.