Chapter: Current Electricity - Summary
This chapter explains the flow of electric charge in conductors, i.e.,
electric current, the Ohm's law, resistivity, and combinations of
resistors. It also introduces Kirchhoff's laws, Wheatstone bridge, and
potentiometer for measuring unknown voltages and resistance.
Key Concepts and Highlights
u1. Electric Current
" Definition: Rate of flow of charge through a conductor.
I=
" Direction: From positive to negative (conventional)
2. Ohm's Law
" Statement: Current through a conductor is directly proportional to
voltage across it at constant temperature.
V=IR
93. Resistivity and Conductivity
" Resistivity (p):
R=pi
" Unit of resistivity: ohm meter (-m)
" Resistivity depends on material and temperature.
4. Temperature Dependence of Resistance
R= Ro(1+ aaT)
" Ro: initial resistance
" a: temperature coefficient
T5. EMF and InternalResistance
" EMF ([): Work done per unit charge by the battery
" Terminal voltage:
V=e-Ir
o6. Combination of Resistors
" Series:
Reg = RË + R2 t :
Rea R
o6. Combination of Resistors
" Series:
Reg = R+ R2 + .
4 7. Power and Energy
" Electric power:
P=VI='RV
R
W=VIt= Pt
8. Kirchhoff's Laws
" KCL (Current Law): Total current entering a junction = Total current
leaving.
" KVL (Voltage Law): Sum of EMFs and potential drops in a closed loop
=0
9. Wheatstone Bridge
"A circuit used to measure unknown resistance.
"Balanced Bridge:
\ 10. Potentiometer
" A device to compare EMFs or measure internal resistance accurately.
" Principle: No current flows through galvanometer at balance point.
"Formula for EMF comparison:
Important Derivations
1. Derive Ohm's law from microscopic view: J=oE
2. Derive relation between current density and electric field.
3. Derive expression for resistors in series and parallel.
4. Derive the expression for power P= T'R andP= V'/R
5. Derive balance condition for Wheatstone bridge.
6. Derive EMF comparison formula using potentiometer.
7. Derive internal resistance of a cell usingpotentiometer.
Important Formulas Sheet
Concept Formula
Current I=
Ohm's Law V=IR
Resistance
R=pi
Conductivity p
Series combination R=R+ R2+*.
Parallel combination =
Power P=VI=PR=
Energy W=VIt
EMF &Terminal V=e- Ir
Voltage
Wheatstone Bridge
Potentiometer (EMF)
One-liner Questions
1. Define electric current and its SI unit.
2. What is the direction of conventional current?
3. State Ohm's Law.
4. What is the Sl unit of resistivity?
5. Define EMF of a cell.
6. What is internal resistance of a cell?
7. State Kirchhoff's First Law.
8. Write the condition for Wheatstone bridge balance.
9. What is the relation between resistivity and conductivity?
10. Define drift velocity.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The unit of resistivity is
(a) ohm
(b) ohm/m
(c) ohmmeter
(d) m/ohm
2. Ohm's law is valid only when
(a) temperature remains constant
(b) temperature changes
(C) current remains constant
(d) resistance remains constant
3. In series connection, the current
(a) divides equally
(b) is maximum in the smallest resistor
(c) remains same through all rs
(d) varies with voltage
4. The power consumed by a resistor is given by:
(a) V/I
(b) T²R
(c) R²/V
(a) V/R
5. Which law is based on conservation of charge?
(a) Kirchhoff's first law
(b) Kirchhoff's second law
(c) Ohm's law
(d) Coulomb's law
Derivation-Type Questions
1. Derive Ohm's Law using the drift velocity concept.
2. Derive the expression for resistors in series.
3. Derive the expression for resistors in parallel.
4. Derive the formula for electrical power.
5. Derive the balance condition of Wheatstone Bridge.
6. Derive the formula to compare EMFs using a potentiometer.
7. Derive the expression for internal resistance of a cell using a
potentiometer.
Formula-Based Questions
1. A current of 3 A flows through a resistor of 5 Q. Find voltage.
2. Awire of resistivity 1.6 x 10, m ,length 2 m, and area
1x 10,m². Find resistance.
3. Find power dissipated in a4 0 resistor carrying 2 A current.
4. Two resistors of 6 Q and 3 0are in parallel. Find equivalent
resistance.
5. If EMF of a cell is 2 V and internal resistance is 0.5 0, find terminal
voltage when 1A current is drawn.
Long Answer Questions
1. What is Ohm's law? Derive it using the concept of drift velocity and
explain its limitations.
2. Derive expressions for equivalent resistance in (a)series and (b)
parallel combinations.
3. State Kirchhoff's laws. Use them to calculate current in a closed
network.
4. Explain the principle of Wheatstone bridge. Derive its balance
condition.
5. Describe the working of a potentiometer to (i) compare EMFs, and
(i) measure internal resistance of a cell.
