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Current Electricity appeared 50 times across 3 years — 5.8% of Physics. This question is from Resistance of a Circular Wire.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 18 13 19 50

A wire of length 25~m and cross-sectional area 5~mm² having resistivity of 2× 10⁻⁶Ω~m is bent into a complete circle. The resistance between diametrically opposite points will be:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Resistance of a uniform wire:

R = (ρ L)/(A)

Equivalent resistance of two identical resistors in parallel:

Req = (R₁ R₂)/(R₁ + R₂) = Rhalf2
Core Logic

First, find the total resistance Rtotal of the straight wire:

  • Length of wire, L = 25~m
  • Area of cross-section, A = 5~mm² = 5 × 10⁻⁶~m²
  • Resistivity, ρ = 2 × 10⁻⁶Ω~m
Rtotal = (ρ L)/(A) = 2 × 10⁻⁶ × 255 × 10⁻⁶ = 10Ω
Step 1: Splitting into Semicircles

When the wire is bent into a complete circle, measuring the resistance between two diametrically opposite points splits the wire into two parallel halves of equal length.

Each semicircle has a resistance of:

Rsemi = Rtotal2 = (10)/(2) = 5Ω

These two halves are connected in parallel between the diametric terminals:

Req = Rsemi2 = (5)/(2) = 2.5Ω

Circular loop splitting resistance across diameter for Q5
Circular loop splitting resistance across diameter for Q5

Step 2: Conclusion & Discrepancy

The actual mathematically rigorous answer is 2.5Ω. Since 2.5Ω is not present in the given options, the question is marked as a Bonus question by standard key evaluation guidelines. If forced to choose a theoretical option due to printing mistakes, some keys may relate it to 10Ω / 4 = 2.5Ω, but scientifically it stands as a bonus.

Pattern Recognition

Shortcut: A wire of total resistance R bent into a circle has an effective resistance across its diameter equal to Req = R/4. Memorize this ratio! Here R = 10Ω, so Req = 10/4 = 2.5Ω.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Reference Study Guides

More Current Electricity Previous-Year Questions — Page 10

Q39 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Meter Bridge
The resistance per centimeter of a meter bridge wire is r, with X Ω resistance in left gap. Balancing length from left end is at 40 cm with 25 Ω resistance in right gap. Now the wire is replaced by another wire of 2r resistance per centimeter. The new balancing length for same settings will be at
  • A. 20 cm
  • B. 10 cm
  • C. 80 cm
  • D. 40 cm

Solution

Related Formula
RleftRwire-left = RrightRwire-right
Core Logic

For a meter bridge, the balancing condition is independent of the absolute resistance of the bridge wire as long as it is uniform. The ratio of the resistances in the gaps balances with the ratio of lengths.

Meter Bridge diagram for Q39 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
Meter Bridge diagram for Q39 - JEE Main 2024 Evening

Step 1: First Condition
(X)/(r ₁) = (25)/(r (100 - ₁))

Given ₁ = 40 cm:

(X)/(r × 40) = (25)/(r × 60) (X)/(40) = (25)/(60)
Step 2: Second Condition

When replaced by a wire of 2r per cm, the new lengths ₂ will satisfy:

(X)/(2r ₂) = (25)/(2r (100 - ₂))

Notice that the 2r terms cancel out entirely from both sides, leaving:

(X)/( ₂) = (25)/(100 - ₂)
Step 3: Conclusion

Since the ratio X/25 remains identical, the balancing length ratio / (100- ) also remains identical. Therefore, ₂ = ₁ = 40 cm.

Pattern Recognition

Meter bridge balance point strictly depends on length ratio, NOT the specific resistivity or thickness of the wire (provided it is uniform). If external resistors don't change, the balance point never changes.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q43 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Power Dissipation
By what percentage will the illumination of the lamp decrease if the current drops by 20%?
  • A. 46%
  • B. 26%
  • C. 36%
  • D. 56%

Solution

Related Formula

Power (Illumination) is proportional to the square of the current for a constant resistance: P = I² R

Core Logic

Initial power: P₁ = I₁² R

If current drops by 20%, the new current is:

I₂ = I₁ - 0.2 I₁ = 0.8 I₁

New power:

P₂ = (0.8 I₁)² R = 0.64 I₁² R = 0.64 P₁
Step 1: Calculate Percentage Change
Δ P % = (P₂ - P₁)/(P₁) × 100% Δ P % = (0.64 P₁ - P₁)/(P₁) × 100% Δ P % = (0.64 - 1) × 100% = -36%
Step 2: Final Statement

The negative sign indicates a decrease. The illumination drops by 36%.

Pattern Recognition

For squared relations y = x², if x changes by a factor k (0.8), y changes by a factor k² (0.64). 1 - 0.64 = 36%. This bypasses algebraic limits usually done for small changes (like 2Δ x / x) since 20% is too large for approximation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q51 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Power in DC Circuits
In the following circuit, the battery has an emf of 2 V and an internal resistance of (2)/(3) Ω. The power consumption in the entire circuit is ______ W.
Power in DC Circuits diagram for Q51 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
The image shows a DC circuit with multiple resistors in parallel/series connected to a 2V battery with 2/3 ohm internal resistance.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

Related Formula
P = V²Req
Core Logic

To find total power, collapse the entire external circuit and battery internal resistance into a single equivalent resistance Req across the battery's ideal terminals.

Step 1: Equivalent Resistance Calculation

Analyzing the diagram: The circuit simplifies to an equivalent resistance Req combining the parallel/series elements along with the internal resistance r = 2/3 Ω. The final simplified equivalent resistance of the entire system calculates to:

Req = (4)/(3) Ω
Step 2: Calculate Power
P = V²Req P = (2²)/(4/3) P = (4)/(4/3) = 3 W
Pattern Recognition

Whenever "entire circuit" power is asked, include the battery's internal resistance inside Req so you can use P = E² / Rtotal directly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Resistor Circuits
Equivalent resistance of the following network is ________ Ω
Resistor Circuits diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 1 to 1

Solution

Related Formula
Rparallel = (1)/(Σ (1)/(Rᵢ))
Core Logic

Resistor Circuits diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.

By carefully identifying the nodes, we can see that a 6 Ω resistor in the middle branch is short-circuited by a direct zero-resistance wire path across it.

Resistor Circuits diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.

Removing the short-circuited 6 Ω resistor simplifies the circuit into three identical branches connected directly between the terminals A and B.

Resistor Circuits diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.

Step 2: Equivalent Calculation

The simplified circuit consists of three identical 3 Ω resistors in parallel.

Req = 3 × (1)/(3) = 1 Ω
Pattern Recognition

Always trace nodes directly connected by straight wires (zero resistance). Any resistor with both ends connecting to the exact same electrical node is shorted out and can be erased.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q48 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Temperature Dependence Of Resistance
Two conductors have the same resistances at 0°C but their temperature coefficients of resistance are α₁ and α₂. The respective temperature coefficients for their series and parallel combinations are :
  • A. α₁ + α₂, (α₁ + α₂)/(2)
  • B. (α₁ + α₂)/(2), (α₁ + α₂)/(2)
  • C. α₁ + α₂, (α₁α₂)/(α₁ + α₂)
  • D. (α₁ + α₂)/(2), α₁ + α₂

Solution

Related Formula
RT = R₀(1 + α Δ T)
Step 1: Series Combination

Let base resistance at 0^° C be R. For series:

Req = R₁ + R₂ (2R)[1 + αeq,s Δ T] = R(1 + α₁ Δ T) + R(1 + α₂ Δ T) 2 + 2αeq,s Δ T = 2 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T αeq,s = (α₁ + α₂)/(2)
Step 2: Parallel Combination

For parallel at 0^° C, Req,0 = R/2.

Req,p = (R₁ R₂)/(R₁ + R₂) (R)/(2) [1 + αeq,p Δ T] = (R² (1 + α₁ Δ T)(1 + α₂ Δ T))/(R(2 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T)) (1)/(2) (1 + αeq,p Δ T) = (1 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T)/(2(1 + (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T))

Using binomial expansion for small Δ T:

1 + αeq,p Δ T ≈ [1 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T] [ 1 - (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T ] 1 + αeq,p Δ T ≈ 1 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T - (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T αeq,p Δ T = (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T αeq,p = (α₁ + α₂)/(2)
Pattern Recognition

For two identical base resistances, the effective temperature coefficient is simply the arithmetic mean of their individual coefficients, regardless of whether they are in series or parallel.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

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