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Current Electricity appeared 50 times across 3 years — 5.8% of Physics. This question is from Combination of Resistors.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 18 13 19 50

A wire of resistance R is bent into an equilateral triangle and an identical wire is bent into a square. The ratio of resistance between the two end points of an edge of the triangle to that of the square is

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
R = ρ A R ∝
Core Logic

For the equilateral triangle, the total resistance R is divided into three equal line parts of value R3 each:

Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15
Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15

Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15
Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15

An edge configuration places one part in parallel with the other two series steps:

(Req)₁ = ( 2R3) · ( R3) 2R3 + R3 = (2)/(9)R

For the square, the wire resistance R divides into four parts of R4 each:

Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15
Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15

Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15
Visual representation of triangle and square edge divisions for Q15

An edge calculation pairs one section in parallel with the remaining three loops in series:

(Req)₂ = ( 3R4) · ( R4) 3R4 + R4 = (3)/(16)R

Taking the ratio between these geometric layouts:

Step 1: Final Ratio Calculation
(Req)₁(Req)₂ = (2)/(9)R(3)/(16)R = (32)/(27)

This selects option (4).

Pattern Recognition

For a regular polygon with N identical sides formed from a wire of resistance R, the resistance across one edge is always given by (N-1)N²R.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Reference Study Guides

More Current Electricity Previous-Year Questions — Page 3

Q37 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Meter Bridge
Two resistors 2Ω and 3Ω are connected in the gaps of bridge as shown in figure. The null point is obtained with the contact of jockey at some point on wire XY. When an unknown resistor is connected in parallel with 3Ω resistor, the null point is shifted by 22.5 cm toward Y. The resistance of unknown resistor is ____ Ω.
Meter bridge circuit diagram
Meter bridge with 2 ohm and 3 ohm resistors connected in gaps.
  • A. 3
  • B. 2
  • C. 4
  • D. 1

Solution

Related Formula
(R₁)/(R₂) = ( )/(100 - )
Core Logic

Initially, the meter bridge is balanced with 2 Ω and 3 Ω:

(2)/(3) = (x)/(100 - x) 200 - 2x = 3x 5x = 200 x = 40 cm
Step 1: Shift after parallel connection

When an unknown resistor R is connected in parallel with 3 Ω, the new resistance in the right gap is R' = (3R)/(3 + R). The null point shifts by 22.5 cm towards Y, so the new balancing length is x' = 40 + 22.5 = 62.5 cm. The new balance equation is:

(2)/(R') = (62.5)/(100 - 62.5) (2)/((3R)/(3 + R)) = (62.5)/(37.5) = (5)/(3) (2(3 + R))/(3R) = (5)/(3)

6 + 2R = 5R

3R = 6 R = 2 Ω
Pattern Recognition

A shift 'towards Y' means the balance point moved right, which implies the right gap resistance decreased. Connecting in parallel correctly decreases resistance.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q26 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening DC Circuits and Ammeters
The reading of the ammeter (A) in steady state in the following circuit (assuming negligible internal resistance of the ammeter) is ____ A.
DC Circuits and Ammeters diagram for Q26 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
A circuit diagram containing a 10V battery, multiple resistors, a 10 microfarad capacitor, and an ammeter.
  • A. 2
  • B. 1
  • C. 1 / 2
  • D. 0

Solution

Core Logic

In steady state, the capacitor acts as an open circuit. No current flows through the branch containing the 10 capacitor.

DC Circuits and Ammeters diagram for Q26 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
A circuit diagram containing a 10V battery, multiple resistors, a 10 microfarad capacitor, and an ammeter.

After removing the capacitor branch, we simplify the network of resistors.

Step 1: Equivalent Resistance
I = 2A

DC Circuits and Ammeters diagram for Q26 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
A circuit diagram containing a 10V battery, multiple resistors, a 10 microfarad capacitor, and an ammeter.

By further simplifying the parallel and series combinations, we determine the main current and the current branching into the ammeter.

Step 2: Ammeter Reading

The current of 2A splits equally through the symmetrical 8Ω branches. The ammeter reading is 1A.

Pattern Recognition

Steady state DC + Capacitor = Open circuit. Always delete the capacitor branch first before calculating equivalent resistance.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity Class 12 Physics: Electrostatics

Q29 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Resistor Networks and Symmetry
A regular hexagon is formed by six wires each of resistance r Ω and the corners are joined to centre by wires of same resistance. If the current enters at one corner and leaves at the opposite corner, the equivalent resistance of the hexagon between the two opposite corners will be
  • A. (4)/(5)r
  • B. (5)/(8)r
  • C. (3)/(4)r
  • D. (3)/(5)r

Solution

Core Logic

By applying the principle of symmetry to the regular hexagonal resistor network, the circuit can be simplified across the axis of symmetry.

Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

Step 1: Network Reduction

Using equipotential nodes along the perpendicular bisector, we can resolve the network into parallel and series components.

Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Resistor Networks and Symmetry diagram for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

The equivalent resistance for each half is determined as follows:

(R × (R)/(2))/((3R)/(2)) = (R)/(3)
Step 2: Final Equivalent Resistance

Combining the simplified branches:

Req = (2R × (4R)/(3))/(2R + (4R)/(3)) = (8R²)/(10R) = (4)/(5)R
Pattern Recognition

For regular polygonal networks with central connections, always search for a line of equipotential symmetry perpendicular to the line joining the input and output nodes. Nodes on this axis can be detached or merged.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q48 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Meter Bridge
In a meter bridge experiment to determine the value of unknown resistance, first the resistances 2 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in the left and right gaps of the bridge and the null point is obtained at a distance l cm from the left. Now when an unknown resistance x Ω is connected in parallel to 3 Ω resistance, the null point is shifted by 10 cm to the right of wire. The value of unknown resistance x is ____ Ω .
Numerical Answer. Answer: 6 to 6

Solution

Related Formula

Meter bridge balance condition:

(R₁)/(R₂) = (l)/(100-l)
Core Logic

In Case I:

(2)/(3) = ( )/((100 - )) (1)
Step 1: Calculate initial null point

Solving Equation (1):

200 - 2 = 3 5 = 200 = 40 cm
Step 2: Apply Case II conditions

In Case II, the right gap resistance becomes a parallel combination: R' = (3x)/(3+x). The new null point is shifted 10 cm to the right, meaning the new balancing length is ' = 40 + 10 = 50 cm.

(2)/(R') = (50)/(100 - 50) = (50)/(50) = 1

Thus, R' = 2 Ω.

Step 3: Solve for x
(3x)/(3 + x) = 2

3x = 6 + 2x x = 6 Ω

Pattern Recognition

If the null point falls exactly at 50 cm, the two gap resistances must be identical. Recognizing this immediately yields Rparallel = 2 without solving proportional fractions.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q28 jee_main_2026_28_january_morning Potentiometer
In the potentiometer, when the cell in the secondary circuit is shunted with 4 Ω resistance, the balance is obtained at the length 120 cm of wire. Now when the same cell in shunted with 12 Ω resistance, the balance is shifted to a length of 180 cm. The internal resistance of cell is ____ Ω.
  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 12
  • D. 6

Solution

Related Formula

For a cell of emf E and internal resistance r shunted by a resistance R, the terminal voltage is:

V = (E · R)/(r + R)

In a potentiometer, the terminal voltage is proportional to the balancing length l: V = K · l

Core Logic

Equate the expressions for terminal voltage for both cases to their respective balancing lengths. Let E be the emf and r be the internal resistance of the cell.

Potentiometer circuit diagram
Potentiometer circuit diagram

Step 1: First Condition Setup

When shunted with 4 Ω:

(E · 4)/(r + 4) = 120K --- (i)
Step 2: Second Condition Setup

When shunted with 12 Ω:

(E · 12)/(r + 12) = 180K --- (ii)
Step 3: Solving for Internal Resistance

Divide equation (i) by equation (ii):

((4E)/(r + 4))/((12E)/(r + 12)) = (120K)/(180K) (1)/(3) · (r + 12)/(r + 4) = (2)/(3) r + 12 = 2(r + 4)

r + 12 = 2r + 8 r = 4 Ω

Pattern Recognition

Standard potentiometer problem. Ratio of balancing lengths maps directly to the ratio of terminal voltages. (l₁)/(l₂) = (R₁(r+R₂))/(R₂(r+R₁)). Plugging the values simplifies it instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

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