A wheatstone bridge is initially at room temperature and all arms of the bridge have same value of resistances ( R₁ = R₂ = R₃ = R₄$R_{1} = R_{2} = R_{3} = R_{4}$ ). When R₃$R_{3}$ resistance is heated to some temperature, its resistance value has gone up by 10%. The potential difference ( Vₐ - Vb$V_{a} - V_{b}$ ) (after R₃$R_{3}$ is heated) is ____ V.
A standard wheatstone bridge circuit powered by a 40V source.
A.1.05$1.05$
B.0$0$
C.0.95$0.95$
D.2$2$
Solution & Explanation
Core Logic
A standard wheatstone bridge circuit powered by a 40V source.
Initially, R₁ = R₂ = R₃ = R₄ = R$R_{1} = R_{2} = R_{3} = R_{4} = R$. The bridge is balanced, and VA = VB$V_A = V_B$.
After heating, R₃$R_3$ increases by 10%, meaning the new R₃' = R + 0.1R = 1.1R$R_3' = R + 0.1R = 1.1R$.
The other arms remain R$R$.
The battery provides a voltage of V = 40 V$V = 40\text{ V}$.
Step 1: Calculate Potentials at nodes A and B
Let the lower node (D) be at 0 V$0\text{ V}$ and the upper node (C) be at 40 V$40\text{ V}$.
The potential at node A (between R₃'$R_3'$ and R₄$R_4$) can be found via the voltage divider rule across the right branch (R₃'$R_3'$ and R₄$R_4$).
Wait, examining the circuit labels carefully:
Assume the branches are: Left branch contains R₁$R_1$ and R₂$R_2$. Right branch contains R₃$R_3$ and R₄$R_4$.
Node B is between R₁$R_1$ and R₂$R_2$. Node A is between R₃$R_3$ and R₄$R_4$.
From the provided solution:
VA = (V)/(2)$$V_A = \frac{V}{2}$$
This implies the branch containing node A consists of two equal resistances R$R$, which contradicts the textual convention if R₃$R_3$ changed. Looking at the provided solution image logic, the branch with B$B$ has the changed resistance 1.1R$1.1R$.
Let's follow the PDF's mathematical layout exactly.
VA = (V)/(2)$$V_A = \frac{V}{2}$$ (Meaning branch A has equal resistors R$R$ and R$R$)
VB = (V)/(R + 1.1R) × R = (V)/(2.1)$$V_B = \frac{V}{R + 1.1R} \times R = \frac{V}{2.1}$$
(Note: The PDF solution computes VB = V / 2.1$V_B = V / 2.1$, implying the resistance below node B is R$R$, and above is 1.1R$1.1R$)
The closest match among the options is 0.95 V$0.95\text{ V}$.
Pattern Recognition
For a slightly unbalanced Wheatstone bridge due to a fractional change Δ R/R = x$\Delta R/R = x$, the potential difference Δ V$\Delta V$ is approximately V · (x)/(4)$V \cdot \frac{x}{4}$ for small x$x$. Here x=0.1$x=0.1$, so Δ V ≈ 40 × 0.1 / 4 = 1 V$\Delta V \approx 40 \times 0.1 / 4 = 1 \text{ V}$. Exact calculation gives 0.95 V$0.95\text{ V}$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity
A standard wheatstone bridge circuit powered by a 40V source.
Keywords:#wheatstone bridge is initially at room temperature#JEE Main 2026 Evening Q31#Current Electricity JEE Main 2026#Wheatstone Bridge JEE Main 2026#Wheatstone bridge#resistances#potential difference#battery 40V
More Current Electricity Previous-Year Questions — Page 10
Q39jee_main_2024_31_jan_eveningMeter Bridge
The resistance per centimeter of a meter bridge wire is r$r$, with X Ω$X \, \Omega$ resistance in left gap. Balancing length from left end is at 40 cm$40 \text{ cm}$ with 25 Ω$25 \, \Omega$ resistance in right gap. Now the wire is replaced by another wire of 2r$2r$ resistance per centimeter. The new balancing length for same settings will be at
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
Since the ratio X/25$X/25$ remains identical, the balancing length ratio / (100- )$\ell / (100-\ell)$ also remains identical.
Therefore, ₂ = ₁ = 40 cm$\ell_2 = \ell_1 = 40 \text{ cm}$.
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
Q43jee_main_2024_31_jan_eveningPower Dissipation
By what percentage will the illumination of the lamp decrease if the current drops by 20%$20\%$?
A.46%$46\%$
B.26%$26\%$
C.36%$36\%$
D.56%$56\%$
Solution
Related Formula
Power (Illumination) is proportional to the square of the current for a constant resistance:
P = I² R$P = I^2 R$
P₂ = (0.8 I₁)² R = 0.64 I₁² R = 0.64 P₁$$P_2 = (0.8 I_1)^2 R = 0.64 I_1^2 R = 0.64 P_1$$
Step 1: Calculate Percentage Change
Δ P % = (P₂ - P₁)/(P₁) × 100%$$\Delta P \% = \frac{P_2 - P_1}{P_1} \times 100\%$$Δ P % = (0.64 P₁ - P₁)/(P₁) × 100%$$\Delta P \% = \frac{0.64 P_1 - P_1}{P_1} \times 100\%$$Δ P % = (0.64 - 1) × 100% = -36%$$\Delta P \% = (0.64 - 1) \times 100\% = -36\%$$
Step 2: Final Statement
The negative sign indicates a decrease. The illumination drops by 36%$36\%$.
Pattern Recognition
For squared relations y = x²$y = x^2$, if x$x$ changes by a factor k$k$ (0.8$0.8$), y$y$ changes by a factor k²$k^2$ (0.64$0.64$). 1 - 0.64 = 36%$1 - 0.64 = 36\%$. This bypasses algebraic limits usually done for small changes (like 2Δ x / x$2\Delta x / x$) since 20% is too large for approximation.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity
Q51jee_main_2024_31_jan_eveningPower in DC Circuits
In the following circuit, the battery has an emf of 2 V$2 \text{ V}$ and an internal resistance of (2)/(3) Ω$\frac{2}{3} \, \Omega$. The power consumption in the entire circuit is ______ W.
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$$P = \frac{V^2}{R_{eq}}$$
Core Logic
To find total power, collapse the entire external circuit and battery internal resistance into a single equivalent resistance Req$R_{eq}$ across the battery's ideal terminals.
Step 1: Equivalent Resistance Calculation
Analyzing the diagram:
The circuit simplifies to an equivalent resistance Req$R_{eq}$ combining the parallel/series elements along with the internal resistance r = 2/3 Ω$r = 2/3 \, \Omega$.
The final simplified equivalent resistance of the entire system calculates to:
Whenever "entire circuit" power is asked, include the battery's internal resistance inside Req$R_{eq}$ so you can use P = E² / Rtotal$P = E^2 / R_{total}$ directly.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity
Qjee_main_2024_31_jan_morningResistor Circuits
Equivalent resistance of the following network is ________ Ω$\Omega$
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.
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$6\,\Omega$ resistor in the middle branch is short-circuited by a direct zero-resistance wire path across it.
A complex resistor bridge network connecting nodes A and B with multiple branches.
Removing the short-circuited 6 Ω$6\,\Omega$ resistor simplifies the circuit into three identical branches connected directly between the terminals A$A$ and B$B$.
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$3\,\Omega$ resistors in parallel.
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
Q48jee_main_2024_31_jan_morningTemperature Dependence Of Resistance
Two conductors have the same resistances at 0°C$0^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ but their temperature coefficients of resistance are α₁$\alpha_1$ and α₂$\alpha_2$. The respective temperature coefficients for their series and parallel combinations are :
1 + αeq,p Δ T ≈ [1 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T] [ 1 - (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T ]$$1 + \alpha_{\text{eq,p}} \Delta T \approx [1 + (\alpha_1 + \alpha_2)\Delta T] \left[ 1 - \frac{\alpha_1 + \alpha_2}{2}\Delta T \right]$$1 + αeq,p Δ T ≈ 1 + (α₁ + α₂)Δ T - (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T$$1 + \alpha_{\text{eq,p}} \Delta T \approx 1 + (\alpha_1 + \alpha_2)\Delta T - \frac{\alpha_1 + \alpha_2}{2}\Delta T$$αeq,p Δ T = (α₁ + α₂)/(2)Δ T$$\alpha_{\text{eq,p}} \Delta T = \frac{\alpha_1 + \alpha_2}{2}\Delta T$$αeq,p = (α₁ + α₂)/(2)$$\alpha_{\text{eq,p}} = \frac{\alpha_1 + \alpha_2}{2}$$
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
More Current Electricity Questions — jee_main_2026_28_january_evening
Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.