NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 12: In Chapter 12 Electricity help students understand how electric circuits work. This chapter explains basic ideas like electric current, voltage, resistance, and Ohm’s law.
The solutions guide students through different types of problems, such as finding the amount of current in a circuit, figuring out how much resistance materials have, and calculating the power used by electrical devices. By practicing these exercises students learn how electricity functions in everyday life and improve their skills in solving related problems. This chapter is key for both exams and understanding practical electrical systems.NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 12 Electricity PDF
1. What does an electric circuit mean?
Solution:
2. Define the unit of current.
Solution:
The unit of electric current is the ampere. One ampere is defined as the flow of one coulomb of electric charge passing through a conductor in one second. It is commonly abbreviated as A.3. Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge.
Solution:
The value of the charge of an electron is 1.6 × 10 -19 C. According to charge quantization,Q = nq e , where n is the number of electrons and q e is the charge of an electron.
Substituting the values in the above equation, the number of electrons in a coulomb of charge can be calculated as follows:1. Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor.
Solution:
2. What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is 1 V?
Solution: When it is said that the potential difference between two points is 1 volt (V), it means that 1 joule (J) of work is required to move a charge of 1 coulomb (C) from one point to the other.3. How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V battery?
Solution:
We know that the potential difference between two points is given by the equation, V = W/Q, where, W is the work done in moving the charge from one point to another Q is the charge From the above equation, we can find the energy given to each coulomb as follows: W = V × Q Substituting the values in the equation, we get W = 6V × 1C = 6 J Hence, 6 J of energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V of battery.1. On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend?
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?
Solution:
Resistance is given by the equation, R = ρ l/A where, ρ is the resistivity of the material of the wire, l is the length of the wire A is the area of the cross-section of the wire. From the equation, it is evident that the area of the cross-section of wire is inversely proportional to the resistance. This means that as the cross-sectional area increases, the resistance decreases, and vice versa. Therefore, a thick wire, having a larger cross-sectional area, has less resistance compared to a thin wire. Current flows more easily through a thick wire than through a thin wire when both are made of the same material and connected to the same voltage source.3. Let the resistance of an electrical component remain 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?
Solution:
The change in the current flowing through the electrical component can be determined by Ohm’s Law. According to Ohm’s Law, the current is given by I = V/R Now, the potential difference is reduced to half keeping the resistance constant, Let the new voltage be V’ = V/2 Let the new resistance be R’ = R and the new amount of current be I’. The change in the current can be determined using Ohm’s law as follows:4. Why are coils of electric toasters and electric irons made of an alloy rather than a pure metal?
Solution:
The melting point of an alloy is generally higher than that of a pure metal due to its high resistivity. The high resistivity of alloys means they do not conduct electricity as easily as pure metals, and they generate more heat when an electric current passes through them. This property makes alloys ideal for use in heating appliances like electric toasters and electric irons. In these appliances, the alloys are used because they can withstand high temperatures and resist melting, ensuring that they effectively convert electrical energy into heat without quickly deteriorating.5. Use the data in the table given below and answer the following questions.
Material | Resistivity | |
Conductors | Silver | 1.60 × 10 –8 |
Copper | 1.62 × 10 –8 | |
Aluminium | 2.63 × 10 –8 | |
Tungsten | 5.20 × 10 –8 | |
Nickel | 6.84 × 10 –8 | |
Iron | 10.0 × 10 –8 | |
Chromium | 12.9 × 10 –8 | |
Mercury | 94.0 × 10 –8 | |
Manganese | 1.84 × 10 –6 | |
Alloys | Constantan | 49 × 10 –6 |
Manganin | 44 × 10 –6 | |
Nichrome | 100 × 10 –6 | |
Insulators | Glass | 1010 – 10 14 |
Hard rubber | 1013 – 10 16 | |
Ebonite | 1015 – 10 17 | |
Diamond | 1012 – 10 13 | |
Paper (dry) | 10 12 |
a. Which among iron and mercury is a better conductor?
b. Which material is the best conductor?
Solution:
a. Iron is a better conductor than mercury because the resistivity of mercury is higher than that of iron. Lower resistivity indicates better conductivity, meaning iron allows electric current to pass through more easily compared to mercury. b. Among all the materials listed in the table, silver is the best conductor because the resistivity of silver is lowest among all, i.e., 1.60 × 10–8.1. Draw a schematic diagram of a circuit consisting of a battery of three cells of 2 V each, a 5 Ω resistor, an 8 Ω resistor, and a 12 Ω resistor, and a plug key, all connected in series.
Solution:
A battery of three cells of 2 V each equals to battery of potential 6 V. The circuit diagram below shows three resistors of resistance 12 Ω, 8 Ω and 5 Ω connected in series along with a battery of potential 6 V.2. Redraw the circuit of Question 1, putting in an ammeter to measure the current through the resistors and a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the 12 Ω resistor. What would be the readings in the ammeter and the voltmeter?
Solution:
An ammeter should always be connected in series with resistors while the voltmeter should be connected in parallel to the resistor to measure the potential difference as shown in the figure below.1. Judge the equivalent resistance when the following are connected in parallel – (a) 1 Ω and 10 6 Ω, (b) 1 Ω, 10 3 Ω, and 10 6 Ω.
Solution:
(a) When 1 Ω and 10 6 are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is given by2. 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 220 V 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?
Solution:
The electric lamp, the toaster and the water filter connected in parallel to a 220 V source can be shown as using a circuit diagram as follows:3. What are the advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel with the battery instead of connecting them in series?
Solution:
When electrical devices are connected in parallel, the following key points apply:Uniform Voltage : Each device connected in parallel experiences the same potential difference, which is equal to the supply voltage. This means that each appliance receives the full voltage from the power source, ensuring consistent performance across all devices.
Reduced Effective Resistance : The effective resistance of the circuit decreases when devices are connected in parallel. This is because the total resistance in a parallel circuit is less than the resistance of the smallest resistor connected. As more devices are added in parallel, the total resistance continues to decrease, allowing more current to flow through the circuit.
4. How can three resistors of resistances 2 Ω, 3 Ω, and 6 Ω be connected to give a total resistance of (a) 4 Ω, (b) 1 Ω?
Solution:
(a) The circuit diagram below shows the connection of three resistors5. 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?
Solution:
(a) If the four resistors are connected in series, their total resistance will be the sum of their individual resistances and it will be the highest. The total equivalent resistance of the resistors connected in series will be 4 Ω + 8 Ω + 12 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω. (b) If the resistors are connected in parallel, then their equivalent resistances will be the lowest. Their equivalent resistance connected in parallel is1. Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does?
Solution:
The heating element of an electric heater is designed with an alloy that has high resistance. When electric current flows through this high-resistance material, it encounters significant resistance, which converts electrical energy into heat. As a result, the heating element becomes very hot and can even glow red due to the intense heat produced. In contrast, the cord of the electric heater is made of materials like copper or aluminum, which have low resistance. These materials are chosen for the cord because they efficiently conduct electricity with minimal resistance, generating little heat in the process. Consequently, the cord remains cool and does not glow, ensuring safety and efficient operation of the heater.2. Compute the heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of charge in one hour through a potential difference of 50 V.
Solution:
The heat generated can be computed by Joule’s law as follows: H = VIt where, V is the voltage, V = 50 V I is the current t is the time in seconds, 1 hour = 3600 seconds The amount of current can be calculated as follows:2. An electric iron of resistance 20 Ω takes a current of 5 A. Calculate the heat developed in 30 s.
Solution:
The amount of heat generated can be calculated using the Joule’s law of heating, which is given by the equation H = VIt Substituting the values in the above equation, we get, H = 100 × 5 × 30 = 1.5 × 10 4 J The amount of heat developed by the electric iron in 30 s is 1.5 × 10 4 J.1. What determines the rate at which energy is delivered by a current?
Solution:
Electric power is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is consumed or delivered by electrical appliances. It measures how quickly energy is used or transferred in a circuit. In simple terms, it represents the amount of energy an appliance consumes or provides per unit of time.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.
Solution:
The power of the motor can be calculated by the equation, P = VI Substituting the values in the above equation, we get P = 220 V × 5 A = 1100 W The energy consumed by the motor can be calculated using the equation, E = P × T Substituting the values in the above equation, we get P = 1100 W × 7200 = 7.92 × 10 6 J The power of the motor is 1100 W and the energy consumed by the motor in 2 hours is 7.92 × 10 6 J.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
(c) 5
(d) 25
Solution:
Answer: d) 25
Explanation:
The resistance is cut into five equal parts, which means that the resistance of each part is R/5. We know that each part is connected to each other in parallel, hence the equivalent resistance can be calculated as follows:2. Which of the following does not represent electrical power in a circuit?
(a) I 2 R
(b) IR 2
(c) VI
(d) V 2 /R
Solution:
Answer : b) IR 2
Explanation:
Electrical power is given by the expression P = VI . (1) According to Ohm’s law, V = IR Substituting the value of V in (1), we get P = ( IR ) × I P = I 2 R Similarly, from Ohm’s law, I = V / R Substituting the value of I in (1), we get P = V × V / R = V 2 / R From this, it is clear that the equation IR 2 does not represent electrical power in a circuit.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
(c) 50 W
(d) 25 W
Solution:
Answer: 25 W
Explanation:
The energy consumed by the appliance is given by the expression P = VI = V 2 /R The resistance of the light bulb can be calculated as follows: R = V 2 /P Substituting the values, we get R = (220) 2 /100 = 484 Ω Even if the supply voltage is reduced, the resistance remains the same. Hence, the power consumed can be calculated as follows: P = V 2 /R Substituting the value, we get P = (110 )2 V/484 Ω = 25 W Therefore, the power consumed when the electric bulb operates at 110 V is 25 W.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
(c) 1:4
(d) 4:1
Solution:
Let R s and R p be the equivalent resistance of the wires when connected in series and parallel respectively. For the same potential difference V, the ratio of the heat produced in the circuit is given by5. How is a voltmeter connected in the circuit to measure the potential difference between two points?
Solution:
To measure the voltage between any two points in a circuit, the voltmeter must be connected in parallel across those two points. This configuration ensures that the voltmeter accurately measures the potential difference without significantly altering the current flow in the circuit. By connecting the voltmeter in parallel, it effectively measures the voltage drop across the components between the two points, providing an accurate reading of the electrical potential difference.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?
Solution:
The resistance of the copper wire of length in meters and area of cross-section m 2 is given by the formula7. 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 (Ampere) | 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 that resistor.
Solution:
The plot that shows the relationship between voltage and current for a resistor is known as the I-V characteristic. In this graph, current (I) is plotted on the y-axis, and voltage (V) is plotted on the x-axis. The graph typically illustrates how the current through the resistor changes as the voltage across it is varied.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
Solution:
The value of the resistor can be calculated using Ohm’s Law as follows:9. A battery of 9 V 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?
Solution:
In series connection, there is no division of current. The current flowing across all the resistors is the same. To calculate the amount of current flowing across the resistors, we use Ohm’s law. But first, let us find out the equivalent resistance as follows: R = 0.2 Ω + 0.3 Ω + 0.4 Ω + 0.5 Ω + 12 Ω = 13.4 Ω Now, using Ohm’s law,10. How many 176 Ω resistors (in parallel) are required to carry 5 A on a 220 V line?
Solution:
Let us consider the number of resistors required as ‘x.’ The equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of resistor R is given by11. 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.
Solution:
If we connect all the three resistors in series, their equivalent resistor would 6 Ω + 6 Ω + 6 Ω =18 Ω, which is not the desired value. Similarly, if we connect all the three resistors in parallel, their equivalent resistor would beCase (i)
Case (ii)
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?
Solution:
The resistance of the bulb can be calculated using the expression P 1 = V 2 /R 1 R 1 = V 2 /P 1 Substituting the values, we get13. 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?
Solution:
Case (i) When coils are used separately
Using Ohm’s law, we can find the current flowing through each coil as follows:Case (ii) When coils connected in series
The total resistance in the series circuit is 24 Ω + 24 Ω = 48 Ω The current flowing through the series circuit is calculated as follows:Case (iii) When coils connected in parallel
When the coils are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is calculated as follows: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.
Solution:
(i) The potential difference is 6 V and the resistors 1 Ω and 2 Ω are connected in series, hence their equivalent resistance is given by 1 Ω + 2 Ω = 3 Ω. The current in the circuit can be calculated using the Ohm’s law as follows: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?
Solution:
Since both the bulbs are connected in parallel, the voltage across each of them will be the same. Current drawn by the bulb of rating 100 W can be calculated as follows: P = V × I I = P/V Substituting the values in the equation, we get I = 100 W/220 V = 100/220 A Similarly, the current drawn by the bulb of rating 60 W can be calculated as follows: I = 60 W/220 V = 60/220 A Therefore, the current drawn from the line is16. Which uses more energy, a 250 W TV set in 1 hr, or a 1200 W toaster in 10 minutes?
Solution:
The energy consumed by electrical appliances is given by the equation H = Pt , where P is the power of the appliance and t is the time Using this formula, the energy consumed by a TV of power ration 250 W, can be calculated as follows: H = 250 W × 3600 seconds = 9 × 10 5 J Similarly, the energy consumed by a toaster of power rating 1200 W is H = 1200 W × 600 s = 7.2 × 10 5 J From the calculations, it can be said that the energy consumed by the TV is greater than the toaster.17. An electric heater of resistance 8 Ω draws 15 A from the service mains 2 hours. Calculate the rate at which heat is developed in the heater.
Solution:
The rate at which the heat develops in the heater can be calculated using the following formula P = I 2 R Substituting the values in the equation, we get P = (15A) 2 × 8 Ω = 1800 watt The electric heater produces heat at the rate of 1800 watt18. Explain the following.
a. Why is the 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 copper and aluminium wires are usually employed for electricity transmission?
Solution:
a. Tungsten is used for lamp filaments because it has a very high melting point and resistivity. This means it can withstand high temperatures without melting and produces a lot of heat when electric current passes through it. This heat is essential for the filament to emit light. b. Electric heating devices use alloys for their conductors because alloys have higher resistivity compared to pure metals. This means they produce more heat when electricity flows through them, which is necessary for heating appliances like toasters and irons. c. Series arrangements are not used in domestic circuits because: