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Current Electricity appeared 50 times across 3 years — 5.8% of Physics. This question is from Galvanometer/Ammeter with Shunt Resistance.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 18 13 19 50

In the figure shown below, a resistance of 150.4Ω is connected in series to an ammeter A of resistance 240Ω. A shunt resistance of 10Ω is connected in parallel with the ammeter. The reading of the ammeter is ________ mA.
Series parallel circuit showing ammeter with shunt for Q25
A circuit schematic containing a 20V battery connected in series with a 150.4 ohm resistor and a parallel combination of a 240 ohm ammeter and a 10 ohm shunt resistor.

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 5 to 5 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Parallel combination of ammeter (RG = 240Ω) and shunt (S = 10Ω):

Rparallel = (RG · S)/(RG + S)

Total equivalent resistance:

Req = Rₛₑᵣᵢₑₛ + Rparallel

Current Divider Rule:

Iammeter = Itotal · ((S)/(RG + S))
Core Logic

Let's first calculate the equivalent resistance of the parallel branch (ammeter + shunt):

Rparallel = (240 × 10)/(240 + 10) = (2400)/(250) = 9.6Ω

Now, add the series resistance (150.4Ω) to find the total equivalent resistance of the circuit:

Req = 150.4 + 9.6 = 160Ω
Step 1: Finding Total Current

Use Ohm's Law to calculate the total current Itotal drawn from the 20~V battery:

Itotal = VReq = (20)/(160) = 0.125~A
Step 2: Calculating Ammeter Current

Using the Current Divider Rule, calculate the current Iammeter flowing through the 240Ω ammeter branch:

Iammeter = Itotal × (10)/(240 + 10) = 0.125 × (10)/(250) Iammeter = 0.125 × (1)/(25) = 0.005~A

Convert this into milliamperes (mA):

Iammeter = 0.005 × 1000 = 5~mA

Therefore, the reading of the ammeter is 5~mA.

Simplified equivalent circuit showing ammeter shunt current split for Q25
A circuit schematic containing a 20V battery connected in series with a 150.4 ohm resistor and a parallel combination of a 240 ohm ammeter and a 10 ohm shunt resistor.
Simplified equivalent circuit showing ammeter shunt current split for Q25
A circuit schematic containing a 20V battery connected in series with a 150.4 ohm resistor and a parallel combination of a 240 ohm ammeter and a 10 ohm shunt resistor.

Pattern Recognition

Notice how nicely the numbers are set up in JEE Mains questions! The parallel combination of 240Ω and 10Ω yields exactly 9.6Ω, which beautifully combines with 150.4Ω to form a perfect integer sum of 160Ω. This tells you that your intermediate steps are absolutely correct!

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity: Measuring Devices

Reference Study Guides

More Current Electricity Previous-Year Questions — Page 9

Q jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Voltmeter Resistance
Two resistance of 100Ω and 200Ω are connected in series with a battery of 4 ~V and negligible internal resistance. A voltmeter is used to measure voltage across 100Ω resistance, which gives reading as 1 ~V. The resistance of voltmeter must be ________ Ω.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 200 to 200

Solution

Related Formula
V = I Req Rparallel = (R₁ R₂)/(R₁ + R₂)
Core Logic

Voltmeter Resistance diagram for Q60 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
Voltmeter Resistance diagram for Q60 - JEE Main 2024 Evening

The voltmeter has some internal resistance Rv and is connected in parallel with the 100Ω resistor. The equivalent resistance of this parallel combination is Rₚ = (100 Rv)/(100 + Rv). This combination is in series with the 200Ω resistor. The total voltage applied is 4 ~V.

Step 1: Set up Voltage Divider

The voltage across the parallel combination (the voltmeter reading) is 1 ~V. Therefore, the voltage across the 200Ω resistor must be 4 ~V - 1 ~V = 3 ~V. Using the voltage divider rule (or equating currents since they are in series):

I = V₂₀₀200 = (3)/(200) ~A
Step 2: Solve for Voltmeter Resistance

The current I also flows through the parallel combination Rₚ: Vₚ = I Rₚ

1 = ((3)/(200)) ( (100 Rv)/(100 + Rv) ) 200 (100 + Rv) = 300 Rv 20000 + 200 Rv = 300 Rv

100 Rv = 20000

Rv = 200 Ω
Pattern Recognition

If the voltage splits as 1V to 3V, the resistances must be in a 1:3 ratio. So Rₚ = 200 / 3. Equating 100 Rv / (100+Rv) = 200/3 instantly gives Rv = 200.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q48 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Power Dissipation in Resistors
When a potential difference V is applied across a wire of resistance R, it dissipates energy at a rate W. If the wire is cut into two halves and these halves are connected mutually parallel across the same supply, the energy dissipation rate will become:
  • A. 1 / 4 W
  • B. 1 / 2 W
  • C. 2 ~W
  • D. 4 ~W

Solution

Related Formula
P = V²Req
Core Logic

Initially, the power (rate of energy dissipation) is W = (V²)/(R). When the wire is cut into two halves, each half will have a resistance of (R)/(2) (since resistance is directly proportional to length).

Step 1: Equivalent Resistance

When these two halves (each of (R)/(2)) are connected in parallel, their equivalent resistance Req is:

Req = (((R)/(2)) × ((R)/(2)))/((R)/(2) + (R)/(2)) = (R)/(4)
Step 2: New Power Dissipation

The new rate of energy dissipation W' across the same potential difference V is:

W' = V²Req = (V²)/((R)/(4)) = 4 (V²)/(R)

W' = 4W

Pattern Recognition

Cutting a resistor into n equal parts and connecting them in parallel reduces the total resistance by a factor of n². Consequently, for a constant voltage supply, the power dissipated increases by a factor of n².

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Cells in Opposition and Terminal Voltage
Two cells are connected in opposition as shown. Cell E₁ is of 8V emf and 2Ω internal resistance; the cell E₂ is of 2V emf and 4Ω internal resistance. The terminal potential difference of cell E₂ is:
Cells in Opposition and Terminal Voltage diagram for Q52 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Two batteries pushing current against each other.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 6 to 6

Solution

Related Formula
I = EₙₑₜReq V = E - Ir (Discharging) V = E + Ir (Charging)
Core Logic

Circuit with marked nodes for Kirchhoff analysis.
Two batteries pushing current against each other.
Because the cells are in opposition, the net EMF drives current from the higher potential cell (8V) to the lower potential cell (2V). Thus, the 2V cell acts as a load and undergoes charging.

Step 1: Calculate Total Current
I = (8 - 2)/(2 + 4) = (6)/(6) = 1 ~A
Step 2: Terminal Potential of Cell 2

Since cell E₂ is being charged, its terminal potential difference is:

V₂ = E₂ + I r₂

Applying Kirchhoff's rule across cell E₂ (from node C to B):

VC - VB = E₂ + I r₂ = 2 + (1)(4) = 6 ~V
Pattern Recognition

When a smaller battery is forced backwards by a larger battery, it gets "charged". Consequently, its terminal voltage increases above its nominal EMF: V = E + Ir.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q33 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Resistors in Series and Voltage Dividers
A potential divider circuit is shown in figure. The output voltage V₀ is
Resistors in Series and Voltage Dividers diagram for Q33 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Circuit containing multiple resistors in series and parallel calculating a specific output voltage.
  • A. 4 ~V
  • B. 2 ~mV
  • C. 0.5 ~V
  • D. 12 ~mV

Solution

Related Formula

V = IR

Req = R₁ + R₂ + + Rₙ (for series)
Core Logic

Observe the circuit diagram. The total equivalent resistance Req of the series network must be calculated by summing all the resistance values shown in the main branch.

Step 1: Calculate Total Resistance and Current

From the given network, assuming the total series resistance is 4000 Ω (comprising the 3.3kΩ resistor and seven 100 Ω resistors).

Req = 4000 Ω

The total voltage applied across the network is 4 ~V.

i = VReq = (4)/(4000) = (1)/(1000) ~A
Step 2: Calculate Output Voltage

The output voltage V₀ is tapped across five 100 Ω resistors.

Rout = 5 × 100 Ω = 500 Ω

Thus, the output voltage is:

V₀ = i · Rout = ((1)/(1000)) × 500 = 0.5 ~V
Pattern Recognition

A potential divider simply scales the input voltage by the fraction of the resistance tapped over the total resistance: V₀ = Vᵢₙ × (Rₜₐₚ / Rtotal). Standard DC circuit division.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q43 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Temperature Dependence of Resistivity
An electric toaster has resistance of 60Ω at room temperature (27°C). The toaster is connected to a 220V supply. If the current flowing through it reaches 2.75A, the temperature attained by toaster is around: (if α = 2× 10⁻⁴ / °C)
  • A. 694° C
  • B. 1235°C
  • C. 1694°C
  • D. 1667°C

Solution

Related Formula
R = (V)/(I) R = R₀ (1 + α Δ T)
Core Logic

First, evaluate the final resistance RT at the operating condition using Ohm's law. Second, plug the final resistance into the linear temperature dependence equation for resistance to solve for final temperature T.

Step 1: Calculate Final Resistance

Given V = 220 ~V and I = 2.75 ~A:

RT = (220)/(2.75) = 80 Ω
Step 2: Apply Temperature Equation

We know R₂₇ = 60 Ω.

RT = R₂₇ [1 + α (T - 27)] 80 = 60 [1 + 2 × 10⁻⁴ (T - 27)] (80)/(60) = 1 + 2 × 10⁻⁴ (T - 27) (4)/(3) - 1 = 2 × 10⁻⁴ (T - 27) (1)/(3) = 2 × 10⁻⁴ (T - 27)
Step 3: Solve for T
T - 27 = 16 × 10⁻⁴ T - 27 = (10000)/(6) = 1666.67 T = 1666.67 + 27 ≈ 1693.67 ⇒ 1694^° C
Pattern Recognition

Always separate the final temperature T from Δ T. The most common error is forgetting to add back the initial reference temperature (27^) at the end.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

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