Physics

Current Electricity and Circuits

377 Questions

Current electricity and circuits questions cover resistors, EMF, internal resistance, and power calculations in series and parallel configurations. Solving these builds a strong understanding of electrical principles and circuit analysis. These physics problems are highly relevant for technical and science aptitude tests.

Resistor combinationsPower dissipationEMF and internal resistanceAC circuit analysisOperational amplifiers

Current Electricity and Circuits Questions

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

An ideal choke takes a current of $8A$ when connected to an a.c source of $100volt$ and $50Hz$. A pure resistor under the same conditions takes a current of $10A$. If two are connected in series to an a.c supply of $100V$ and $40Hz$, then the current in the series combination of above resistor and inductor is :

  1. $10A$
  2. $8A$
  3. $5\sqrt{2}$ amp
  4. $10\sqrt {2}$ amp
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

${ X } _{ L }=\cfrac { 100 }{ 8 } ;R=\cfrac { 100 }{ 10 } =10\Omega $
$L\times 100\pi =\cfrac { 100 }{ 8 } $
$L=\cfrac { 1 }{ 8\pi  } H$
$Z=\sqrt { { \left( \cfrac { 1 }{ 8\pi  } \times 2\pi \times 40 \right)  }^{ 2 }+{ 10 }^{ 2 } } =10\sqrt { 2 } $
$I=\cfrac { E }{ Z } =\cfrac { 100 }{ 10\sqrt { 2 }  } =\cfrac { 10 }{ \sqrt { 2 }  } =5\sqrt { 2 } A$

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A coil of negligible resistance is connected in series with $90\Omega$ resistor across a $120V-60Hz$ line. A voltmenter reads $36V$ across the resistance. Find the voltage across the coil and inductance of the coil.

  1. $114V,1.76H$
  2. $114.5V,0.76H$
  3. $114V,0.86H$
  4. $144V,0.76H$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

$V=\sqrt{V _R^2+V _L^2}\ \therefore V _L=\sqrt{V^2-V _R^2}\=114.5V\V _R=IR\ \Rightarrow I+\cfrac{36}{90}=0.4A\ \therefore V _L=IX _L\=I\omega L\ \therefore L=\cfrac{V _L}{I\omega}=\cfrac{114.5}{0.4\times2\pi\times60}\=0.76H$

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A $200km$ long telegraph wire has capacity of $0.014\mu F/km$. If it carries an alternating current of $50KHz$, what should be the value of an inductance required to be connected in series so that impedance is minimum?

  1. $0.703H$
  2. $0.303H$
  3. $0.503H$
  4. $0.603H$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A $0.19H$ inductor and a $80\Omega$ resistance connected in series to a $220V, 50Hz$ ac source. Calculate the current in the circuit and the phase angle between the current and the source voltage.

  1. $2.2A, tan^{-1} ({3 \over 4})$
  2. $3A, tan^{-1} ({2 \over 5})$
  3. $5A, tan^{-1} ({8 \over 9})$
  4. $6A, tan^{-1} ({7 \over 5})$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Z = sqrt(R^2 + (wL)^2). w = 2*pi*50 = 314 rad/s. wL = 314 * 0.19 approx 60 ohms. Z = sqrt(80^2 + 60^2) = 100 ohms. I = V/Z = 220/100 = 2.2A. Phase angle tan(phi) = wL/R = 60/80 = 3/4. Thus phi = tan^-1(3/4).

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A circuit containing an inductance and a resistance connected in series, has an AC source of $200V$, $50Hz$ connected across it. An AC current of $10A$ rms flows through the circuit and the power loss is measured to be $1kW$. Find
(a) the inductance in the circuit
(b) the frequency of the AC when the phase difference between the current and emf becomes $\pi /4$. with the above components.

  1. (a) $\cfrac { \sqrt { 3 } }{ 70\pi } H$ (b) $\cfrac { 50 }{ \sqrt { 3 } } Hz$
  2. (a) $\cfrac { \sqrt { 3 } }{ 10\pi } H$ (b) $\cfrac { 50 }{ \sqrt { 3 } } Hz$
  3. (a) $\cfrac { \sqrt { 3 } }{ 20\pi } H$ (b) $\cfrac { 50 }{ \sqrt { 4 } } Hz$
  4. (a) $\cfrac { \sqrt { 3 } }{ 60\pi } H$ (b) $\cfrac { 50 }{ \sqrt { 3 } } Hz$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Power P = I^2 * R. 1000 = 100 * R, so R = 10 ohms. Z = V/I = 200/10 = 20 ohms. Z^2 = R^2 + (wL)^2, so 400 = 100 + (2*pi*50*L)^2, 300 = (100*pi*L)^2, L = sqrt(3)/(10*pi). For phase angle pi/4, tan(pi/4) = 1 = w'L/R, so w' = R/L = 10 / (sqrt(3)/(10*pi)) = 100*pi/sqrt(3). f' = w'/(2*pi) = 50/sqrt(3).

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A solenoid of 10 Henry inductance and 2 ohm resistance, is connected to a 10 volt battery. In how much time the magnetic energy will be reaches to 1/4th of the maximum value?

  1. 3.5 sec

  2. 2.5 sec

  3. 5.5 sec

  4. 7.5 sec

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Given that,

L = 10 H

R = 2 ohm

V = 10 volt

Now, the maximum current is

  $ {{i} _{0}}=\dfrac{V}{R} $

 $ {{i} _{0}}=\dfrac{10}{2} $

 $ {{i} _{0}}=5A $

The maximum energy is

  $ {{E} _{0}}=\dfrac{1}{2}Li _{0}^{2} $

 $ {{E} _{0}}=\dfrac{1}{2}\times 10\times 5\times 5 $

 $ {{E} _{0}}=125\,J $

Now, the magnetic energy

  $ E=\dfrac{{{E} _{0}}}{4} $

 $ E=\dfrac{125}{4}\,J $

Now, 

  $ E=\dfrac{1}{2}L{{i}^{2}} $

 $ \dfrac{125}{4}=\dfrac{1}{2}L{{i}^{2}} $

 $ \dfrac{125}{2\times 10}={{i}^{2}} $

 $ {{i}^{2}}=\dfrac{25}{2} $

 $ i=\dfrac{5}{2} $

 $ i=2.5\,A $

Now, the time taken to rise current from 0 - 2.5A.

We know that, the instantaneous current during its growth in an L-R circuit.

 $ i={{i} _{0}}\left( 1-{{e}^{-\frac{Rt}{L}}} \right) $

 $ 2.5=5\left( 1-{{e}^{-\frac{Rt}{L}}} \right) $

 $ {{e}^{\frac{-Rt}{L}}}=0.5 $

 $ \dfrac{-Rt}{L}=\ln (0.5) $

 $ \dfrac{Rt}{L}=0.693 $

 $ t=\dfrac{6.93}{2} $

 $ t=3.46 $

 $ t=3.5\sec  $

Hence, the magnetic energy will be increases to $\dfrac{1}{4}$ of the maximum value at $3.5$ sec.

 

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A coil of inductance $8.4\ mil$ and resistance $6W$ is connected to a $12V$ battery. The current in the coil is $1.0\ A$ at approximately the time

  1. $500\ s$
  2. $25\ $s
  3. $35\ s$
  4. $1\ ms$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The time constant tau = L/R = 8.4mH / 6 ohms = 1.4ms. The current in an RL circuit is I(t) = (V/R)(1 - e^(-t/tau)). Here V/R = 12/6 = 2A. We want I(t) = 1A, so 1 = 2(1 - e^(-t/tau)), 0.5 = 1 - e^(-t/tau), e^(-t/tau) = 0.5. t = tau * ln(2) = 1.4ms * 0.693 approx 1ms.

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

An inductor coil,a capacitor and an alternating source of virtual value 36 V are connected in series.When the frequency of the source is varied, a maximum virtual current 4  A is observed. If this inductor coil is connected to a battery of emf 18V and internal resistance$ 9\Omega$, the current in the circuit will be:

  1. 1 A

  2. 2 A

  3. 3 A

  4. none of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Given that,

e. m. f = $18\ V$

${{E} _{rms}}=36V$

Internal resistance $r=9\Omega $

Current ${{I} _{rms}}=4\,A$

Now, the external resistance is

We know that,

  $ R=\dfrac{E _{rms}}{I _{rms}} $

 $ R=\dfrac{36}{4} $

 $ R=9\,\Omega  $


When the inductor coil is connected to a 18 V battery with 9 $\Omega$ internal resistance: 

Now, net resistance is

  $ {{R} _{net}}=R+r $

 $ {{R} _{net}}=9+9 $

 $ {{R} _{net}}=18\,\Omega  $


Now, the current is

  $ I=\dfrac{e.m.f}{{{R} _{net}}} $

 $ I=\dfrac{18}{18} $

 $ I=1\,A $

 Hence, the current is $1\ A$ in the circuit

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

In a choke coil, the reactance $X _L$ and resistance R are such that :-

  1. $X _L = R$
  2. $X _L >>> R$
  3. $X _L <<< R$
  4. $X _L = \infty$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A choke coil is designed to limit current in AC circuits with minimal power dissipation. Since power loss P = I^2 * R, we need R to be as small as possible compared to the inductive reactance X_L.

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A closed circuit consists of a source of emf $E$ and an inductor coil of inductance $L$, connected in series. The active resistance of whole circuit is $R$. At the moment $t=0$. inductance of coil abruptly decreased to $L/n$. Then current in the circuit immediately after, is:

  1. $zero$
  2. $E/R$
  3. $\dfrac{nE}{R}$
  4. $\dfrac{E}{nR}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The magnetic flux through an inductor cannot change instantaneously. Phi = L * I. If L changes to L/n, the current I must change to I' such that L * I = (L/n) * I'. Therefore, I' = n * I. Since the initial current was I = E/R, the new current is nE/R.

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

A $0.21\space H$ inductor and a $12\Omega$ resistance are connected in series to a $220\space V, 50\space Hz$ ac source. The current in the circuit is :

  1. $\displaystyle\frac{220}{\sqrt{4400}}A$
  2. $\displaystyle\frac{22}{3\sqrt5}A$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{220}{\sqrt{4550}}A$
  4. $\displaystyle\frac{22}{5\sqrt3}A$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

$ X _L = L 2 \pi f = 0.21 \times 314 \Omega $
$ R = 12 \Omega $
$ I = \dfrac{ 220}{ \sqrt{ X _L^2 + R^2 } } = 3.28 = \dfrac{22}{3\sqrt{5}} A  $

Multiple choice ac voltage applied to a series lr circuit lr circuit phase relations between alternating voltage and alternating current in different types of alternating current circuits and phasor diagram electromagnetic induction and alternating currents physics

An A.C voltage $V=5\cos { \left( 1000t \right) V } $ is applied to a L-R series circuit of inductance $3mH$ and resistance $4\Omega$. The value of maximum current in the circuit is  _______ A

  1. $0.8$
  2. $1.0$
  3. $\cfrac{5}{7}$
  4. $\cfrac { 5 }{ \sqrt { 7 } } $
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

$V=5\cos { \left( 1000t \right) V } $

The standard equation for the voltage is:
$V={ V } _{ 0 }\cos { \omega t } $

So, from the equation, ${ V } _{ 0 }=5volt;\omega =1000rad/s$
$L=3\times { 10 }^{ -3 }H,R=4\Omega $

Maximum current $10=\cfrac { { V } _{ 0 } }{ Z } \quad $
$10=\cfrac { 5 }{ \sqrt { { \omega  }^{ 2 }{ L }^{ 2 }+{ R }^{ 2 } }  } =\cfrac { 5 }{ 5 } =1A\quad \quad $

Multiple choice physics units and measurement: error analysis accuracy of measurement accuracy and precision accuracy, precision and uncertainty in measurement

Accuracy of potentiometer can be easily increased by :

  1. increasing resistance of wire

  2. decreasing resistance of wire

  3. increasing the length of wire

  4. decreasing the length of wire

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Accuracy of potentiometer can be easily increased by decreasing the potential gradient across the potentiometer wire and that can be done by increasing its length.

Multiple choice ac and dc ac vs dc electro-magnetism effects of electric current physics

If $\vartheta $ is the phase difference and T is time period then time difference between current and voltage is ;

  1. $T \vartheta $
  2. $\dfrac { T }{ \vartheta } $
  3. $\dfrac { 2\pi T }{ \vartheta } $
  4. $\dfrac { T \vartheta }{ 2\pi }$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phase difference theta corresponds to a time difference delta_t. Since 2*pi radians corresponds to one time period T, the ratio is delta_t/T = theta/(2*pi). Thus, delta_t = (T * theta) / (2*pi).