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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 8

Q jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Capacitor in DC Circuit
The charge accumulated on the capacitor connected in the following circuit is ______ . (Given C = 150).
Capacitor in DC Circuit diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
The layout shows an integrated network of resistors labeled R1 to R4 powered by a 10V DC source loop with a branch housing a 150 uF capacitor element bridging distinct structural potential nodes.
Capacitor in DC Circuit diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
The layout shows an integrated network of resistors labeled R1 to R4 powered by a 10V DC source loop with a branch housing a 150 uF capacitor element bridging distinct structural potential nodes.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 400 to 400

Solution

Related Formula
Q = C · Δ VC
Core Logic

In steady state, no current flows through the capacitor branch. Analyze potential levels at node loops using standard Kirchhoff mesh values mapped across the core loop resistors:

VA + (10)/(3)(1) - 6(1) = VB
Step 1: Compute node potential difference
VA - VB = 6 - (10)/(3) = (8)/(3) V
Step 2: Evaluate accumulated charge
Q = C(VA - VB) = 150 × (8)/(3) V = 50 × 8 = 400
Pattern Recognition

Steady state capacitor loops act as open electrical cuts, transforming active mesh equations into simple layout node checks.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q48 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Meter Bridge and Resistivity
A wire of length 10 cm and radius √(7) × 10⁻⁴ m is connected across the right gap of a meter bridge. When a resistance of 4.5 Ω is connected on the left gap by using a resistance box, the balance length is found to be at 60 cm from the left end. If the resistivity of the wire is R × 10⁻⁷, then the value of R is:
  • A. 63
  • B. 70
  • C. 66
  • D. 35

Solution

Related Formula

From the balance condition of the meter bridge:

Xleftl = Xright100 - l

Resistance formula:

X = ρ (lw)/(A) = (ρ lw)/(π r²)
Core Logic

First, evaluate the unknown resistance Xright in the right gap:

(4.5)/(60) = Xright40 Xright = (4.5 × 40)/(60) = 3 Ω
Step 1: Calculate Resistivity Value

Now map the resistance parameters (lw = 10 cm = 0.1 m, r = √(7) × 10⁻⁴ m):

3 = ρ 0.1(22)/(7) × (√(7) × 10⁻⁴)² 3 = ρ 0.1(22)/(7) × 7 × 10⁻⁸ 3 = ρ 0.122 × 10⁻⁸ ρ = 3 × 22 × 10⁻⁸0.1 = 66 × 10⁻⁷
Step 2: Compare to find R

Given ρ = R × 10⁻⁷, comparing coefficients gives:

R = 66

Pattern Recognition

Meter bridge balance simplifies directly to simple scalar component checks. The √(7) term perfectly neutralizes the fractional (22)/(7) constant in circular area profiles.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q49 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Combination of Resistors
A wire of resistance R and length L is cut into 5 equal parts. If these parts are joined parallely, then the resultant resistance will be:
  • A. (1)/(25)R
  • B. (1)/(5)R
  • C. 25R
  • D. 5R

Solution

Core Logic

Resistance is directly proportional to length (R ∝ L). Cutting the wire into 5 equal pieces reduces the resistance of each segment to:

R' = (R)/(5)
Step 1: Compute parallel value

Connecting 5 identical resistors R' in parallel gives a total equivalent resistance of:

Req = (R')/(5) = (R/5)/(5) = (R)/(25)
Pattern Recognition

Cutting an item into N components and grouping them in parallel scales the overall baseline systemic value down cleanly by a factor of N².

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Kirchhoff's Laws and RC Circuits
A 16 Ω wire is bend to form a square loop. A 9V battery with internal resistance 1 Ω is connected across one of its sides. If a 4 μ F capacitor is connected across one of its diagonals, the energy stored by the capacitor will be (x)/(2) μ J. where x = _________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 81 to 81

Solution

Related Formula

Energy stored (U) by a capacitor of capacitance C under steady state voltage VC:

U = (1)/(2) C VC²
Core Logic

A wire of resistance 16 Ω is bent into a square, so each of the 4 sides has a resistance of:

Rside = (16)/(4) = 4 Ω

The battery is connected across one side. Let this side have resistance 4 Ω. The remaining three sides are connected in series, creating a parallel branch with a combined resistance of:

Rₛₑᵣᵢₑₛ = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 Ω

Circuit network layout showing the square loop resistance divisions and diagonal capacitor connection for Q57
Circuit network layout showing the square loop resistance divisions and diagonal capacitor connection for Q57

Step 1: Calculate Equivalent Resistance and Circuit Current

The equivalent external resistance of the parallel loop branches is:

Rₚ = (12 × 4)/(12 + 4) = (48)/(16) = 3 Ω

Including the battery's internal resistance (1 Ω), the total line current I leaving the battery is:

I = (V)/(Rₚ + r) = (9)/(3 + 1) = (9)/(4) ~A
Step 2: Find Current through the Main Branches

Using the current divider rule, the current I₁ flowing through the longer 12 Ω branch is:

I₁ = I × (4)/(12 + 4) = (9)/(4) × (4)/(16) = (9)/(16) ~A
Step 3: Find Potential Difference across the Diagonal

In a steady state, the capacitor acts as an open circuit. Let the diagonal link nodes be A and B. The path contains two sides of the 12 Ω branch (total resistance = 8 Ω):

VC = VA - VB = I₁ × 8 = (9)/(16) × 8 = (9)/(2) ~V
Step 4: Compute Stored Energy and Extract x

The stored energy U is:

U = (1)/(2) × (4 μ F) × ((9)/(2))² = (1)/(2) × 4 × (81)/(4) = (81)/(2) μ J

Comparing this directly with the expression (x)/(2) μ J:

x = 81

Therefore, the value of x is 81.

Pattern Recognition

Remember that capacitors act as standard open circuits when reaching steady-state DC conditions. Simply calculate the node potentials across the bridge connection points using standard current distribution laws first, then execute the energy equation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Q32 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Electric Current and Charge
The electric current through a wire varies with time as I = I₀ + β t, where I₀ = 20 ~A and β = 3 ~A / s. The amount of electric charge crossed through a section of the wire in 20 ~s is:
  • A. 80 ~C
  • B. 1000 ~C
  • C. 800 ~C
  • D. 1600 ~C

Solution

Related Formula

The relationship between current, charge, and time is given by:

I = (dq)/(dt) q = ∫ I dt
Core Logic

Given the current variation:

I = I₀ + β t

Substituting the given values, I₀ = 20 ~A and β = 3 ~A/s:

I = 20 + 3t

Thus:

(dq)/(dt) = 20 + 3t
Step 1: Integrate to Find Charge

To find the total charge crossing a section of wire from t = 0 to t = 20 ~s:

∫₀q dq = ∫₀²⁰ (20 + 3t) dt q = [ 20t + (3t²)/(2) ]₀²⁰ q = 20(20) + (3(20)²)/(2) q = 400 + (3(400))/(2) = 400 + 600 = 1000 ~C

Therefore, the charge crossed is 1000 ~C.

Pattern Recognition

Whenever current is given as a function of time I(t), the total charge is simply the area under the I-t curve, which mathematically corresponds to the definite integral ∫t₁t₂ I(t) dt.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

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