88 practice questions on Current Electricity , sorted Easy → Hard. Try each one first, then open its answer page for the worked explanation. Want the full theory first? Read the Current Electricity notes .
Series battery R1 R2 I (same in R1, R2) Parallel battery R1 R2 I1 I2 In series, the same current flows through both resistors; in parallel, the current splits between branches and the voltage across each resistor is the same.
Easy - 27 questions Q1.
A device that does NOT obey Ohm's law is called:
A a non-ohmic conductorB a superconductorC an ideal resistorD an ohmic conductorShow answer & explanation →
Q2.
A conductor whose resistance stays constant and whose V-I graph is a straight line through the origin is described as:
A non-ohmicB insulatingC superconductingD ohmicShow answer & explanation →
Q3.
The direction of conventional current in a metallic conductor is:
A Opposite to electron driftB Same as electron driftC Perpendicular to electron driftD Independent of electron driftShow answer & explanation →
Q4.
Two identical cells, each having emf E and internal resistance r, are connected in parallel with the same polarity. Their equivalent internal resistance is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q5.
A Wheatstone bridge is balanced. If the resistance of the galvanometer branch is changed while all four arm resistances remain unchanged, the balance condition:
A Changes proportionallyB Becomes twice as largeC Remains unchangedD Becomes zeroShow answer & explanation →
Q6.
A cell is being charged by an external source. If its emf is E and charging current is I, with internal resistance r, the terminal voltage of the cell is:
A E - IrB EC Ir - ED E + IrShow answer & explanation →
Q7.
For identical cells connected in parallel, the arrangement is particularly useful when the external circuit requires:
A A larger current capacityB A much larger emfC A reversed polarityD A zero internal resistanceShow answer & explanation →
Q8.
Electric current is defined as:
A Rate of flow of voltageB Rate of flow of chargeC Force per unit chargeD Charge per unit areaShow answer & explanation →
Q15.
Kirchhoff's current law (KCL) states that at any junction:
A The sum of all voltage drops around the junction equals zeroB Sum of currents in = Sum of currents outC All currents at the junction cancel to exactly zero individuallyD The equivalent resistance at the junction is minimizedShow answer & explanation →
Q16.
Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) states that in any closed loop:
A Total resistance = 0 in most textbook accountsB Algebraic sum of EMFs = 0 during normal conditionsC Algebraic sum of all voltages = 0D Current is constant as generally observedShow answer & explanation →
Q17.
A battery has EMF = 12 V and internal resistance = 2 ohm. With external resistance 10 ohm, terminal voltage is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q18.
Resistivity depends on:
A Length of conductorB Cross-section areaC Material and temperatureD All of the aboveShow answer & explanation →
Q20.
The material with lowest resistivity is best for:
A Making resistorsB Electrical insulationC Making conducting wiresD Making capacitorsShow answer & explanation →
Q24.
The drift velocity of electrons in a conductor is of the order:
A 108 m/sB 106 m/sC 0.1-1 mm/sD Speed of lightShow answer & explanation →
Q27.
Wheatstone bridge is used to measure:
A Current in typical laboratory settingsB Voltage under usual circumstancesC Unknown resistanceD Power according to most researchersShow answer & explanation →
Medium - 27 questions Q28.
Which of the following is a non-ohmic device whose V-I graph is not a straight line?
A a metal wire at constant temperatureB a semiconductor diodeC a carbon film resistorD a length of nichrome wireShow answer & explanation →
Q29.
For a material such as GaAs, the same value of voltage can correspond to more than one value of current. This illustrates that:
A Ohm's law always holdsB the V-I relation is not always uniqueC resistance is independent of temperatureD current is always proportional to voltageShow answer & explanation →
Q30.
Two identical cells, each of emf 2 V and internal resistance 1 Ω, are connected in parallel with the same polarity to a 4 Ω resistor. What current flows through the resistor?
A 0.25 AB 0.44 AC 0.50 AD 0.67 AShow answer & explanation →
Q31.
A wire has resistivity 1.7 × 10-8 Ω m, length 2 m and cross-sectional area 0.5 mm2 . What is its resistance?
A 0.034 ΩB 0.17 ΩC 0.068 ΩD 0.34 ΩShow answer & explanation →
Q32.
A cell of emf 12 V and internal resistance 1 Ω is connected to 5 Ω and 10 Ω resistors in parallel. What current flows through the 10 Ω resistor?
A 2.77 AB 1.38 AC 1.85 AD 0.923 AShow answer & explanation →
Q33.
A copper conductor contains 8.5 × 1028 free electrons per m3 . If a current of 1.36 A flows through a cross-sectional area of 1.0 mm2 , what is the electron drift speed? Take e = 1.6 × 10-19 C.
A 1.0 × 10-4 m s-1 B 1.0 × 10-3 m s-1 C 1.0 × 10-2 m s-1 D 1.0 × 10-1 m s-1 Show answer & explanation →
Q34.
Two wires of the same material have lengths 2 m and 1 m and cross-sectional areas 1 mm2 and 2 mm2 , respectively. They are connected in parallel. What is the ratio of currents through the first and second wires?
Show answer & explanation →
Q37.
A potentiometer has a long wire. It is used to measure EMF because:
A It has a very high resistance along its entire lengthB It draws no current from the source at balanceC It has a very low resistance along its entire lengthD It amplifies the voltage of the source being measuredShow answer & explanation →
Q39.
Effective resistance between A and B: two 6 ohm resistors in series, then in parallel with 12 ohm resistor:
A 4 ohmB 6 ohmC 9 ohmD 12 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q40.
When batteries of EMF E1 and E2 (E1 > E2 ) are connected in series opposing (positive terminals facing each other):
A Net EMF = E1 +E2 B Net EMF = E1 -E2 C Net EMF = 0D Net EMF = E1 x E2 Show answer & explanation →
Q41.
Power delivered to external load is maximum when:
A Internal resistance = 0B External resistance = internal resistanceC External resistance >> internal resistanceD External resistance << internal resistanceShow answer & explanation →
Q43.
A 100 W, 200 V bulb and 60 W, 200 V bulb in series across 200 V. Which is brighter?
A 100 W bulbB 60 W bulbC Both equally brightD Neither lights upShow answer & explanation →
Q44.
Resistivity of semiconductor with temperature:
A Increases linearly according to standard textbooksB Decreases (more charge carriers at higher T)C Stays constant in general practice as frequently describedD First increases then decreases in most textbook accountsShow answer & explanation →
Q47.
A meter bridge is balanced when X/Y = l1/(100-l1) where l1 is balance length. If l1 = 40 cm and Y = 30 ohm, X equals:
A 20 ohmB 30 ohmC 45 ohmD 60 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q48.
Temperature coefficient of resistance alpha for copper is positive. This means:
A Resistance decreases with temperatureB Resistance is independent of temperatureC Resistance increases with temperatureD Resistance is zero at 0 degrees CShow answer & explanation →
Q49.
What happens to total resistance when more resistors are added in parallel?
A IncreasesB DecreasesC Stays sameD Depends on valuesShow answer & explanation →
Q50.
In a battery, EMF is the work done per unit charge:
A Mainly in moving charge through the external circuitB Mainly in moving charge through the internal circuit aloneC By all non-electrostatic forces inside the batteryD By mainly electrostatic forces between charges in the circuitShow answer & explanation →
Q51.
For a long potentiometer wire, balance point is at 40 cm for a standard cell of 1.02 V. EMF of another cell balancing at 50 cm:
A 0.82 VB 1.02 VC 1.275 VD 2.04 VShow answer & explanation →
Q54.
Two bulbs of 40 W and 60 W are connected in parallel to 220 V. Which draws more current?
A 40 W bulbB 60 W bulbC Both equallyD NeitherShow answer & explanation →
Hard - 34 questions Q55.
Two cells of emf 10 V and 4 V, each having internal resistance 2 Ω, are connected to a common 2 Ω resistor in two adjacent loops. The cells drive currents clockwise in their respective loops. What is the current through the common resistor?
A 0.5 AB 2.0 AC 1.0 AD 3.0 AShow answer & explanation →
Q56.
Two cells of emf 2 V and 1 V, each with internal resistance 1 Ω, are connected in parallel with the same polarity across a 2 Ω load. What is the current supplied by the combination to the load?
A 0.25 AB 0.50 AC 0.75 AD 0.60 AShow answer & explanation →
Q57.
Two wires of the same material are connected in series across a 12 V source. Their lengths are 2 m and 3 m, while their cross-sectional areas are 1 mm2 and 4 mm2 , respectively. What is the ratio of power dissipated in the first and second wires?
Show answer & explanation →
Q58.
A wire of resistance 16 Ω is cut into four equal pieces. Two pieces are connected in parallel to form one branch and the other two are connected in parallel to form a second branch. The two branches are then connected in series across an 8 V source. What is the total power consumed?
Show answer & explanation →
Q59.
A cell of emf 10 V and internal resistance 2 Ω supplies a load. When the load resistance changes from 3 Ω to 8 Ω, what is the ratio of the powers delivered to the load in the two cases?
Show answer & explanation →
Q60.
In a circuit, R1 =5 ohm and R2 =10 ohm in parallel, then in series with R3 =5 ohm and battery 15 V (no internal resistance). Current through R2 :
Show answer & explanation →
Q61.
A galvanometer of 100 ohm and full scale 1 mA is to be converted to ammeter for 1 A. Shunt needed:
A 0.1001 ohmB 0.01 ohmC 1 ohmD 0.001 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q62.
A galvanometer of 50 ohm, 2 mA FSD is converted to voltmeter reading 50 V. Series resistance needed:
A 24950 ohmB 25000 ohmC 49950 ohmD 24900 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q63.
A network has 12 resistors each of 1 ohm forming a cube. Resistance between opposite corners:
A 5/6 ohmB 3/4 ohmC 7/12 ohmD 12/7 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q64.
Temperature coefficient of resistance of a material is 0.004/K. At 0 degrees C resistance is 100 ohm. At 100 degrees C:
A 104 ohmB 120 ohmC 140 ohmD 160 ohmShow answer & explanation →
Q65.
Kirchhoff's law is applied to a complex network. The minimum number of equations needed for a network with n junctions and b branches:
A n-1 current equations, b-n+1 voltage equationsB n current equations, b voltage equationsC b equations totalD n equations totalShow answer & explanation →
Q66.
In a potentiometer, a cell of EMF 1.5 V and internal resistance 5 ohm balances at 300 cm. When cell is shunted by 10 ohm, balance shifts to:
A 150 cmB 200 cmC 250 cmD 300 cmShow answer & explanation →
Q67.
A circuit has 3 batteries E1 =6V r1 =1, E2 =4V r2 =1, E3 =2V r3 =1 connected with same polarity. Resistance R=3 ohm in loop. Current:
Show answer & explanation →
Q68.
Heat developed in a resistor R1 in series with R2 (R1 :R2 = 1:2) in time t:
A H1 :H2 = 1:2B H1 :H2 = 2:1C H1 :H2 = 1:4D H1 :H2 = 4:1Show answer & explanation →
Q69.
In the Star-Delta transformation, a star configuration with each arm R ohm is equivalent to delta with each arm:
Show answer & explanation →
Q70.
Mobility of charge carriers increases when:
A Temperature increases, raising the rate of lattice collisionsB The rate of carrier scattering events increasesC Temperature decreases (fewer collisions)D The bulk resistivity of the material increasesShow answer & explanation →
Q72.
Current density J is related to electric field E and conductivity sigma by:
A J = E/sigmaB J = sigma x EC J = sigma x E2 D J = E2 /sigmaShow answer & explanation →
Q73.
A potentiometer wire 4 m long, resistance 4 ohm, drives 2 A. Potential gradient per cm:
A 0.5 mV/cmB 1 mV/cmC 2 mV/cmD 5 mV/cmShow answer & explanation →
Q74.
Efficiency of energy transfer from source to load is maximized when:
A Load resistance = source internal resistanceB Load resistance >> source resistanceC Load resistance << source resistanceD Temperature is minimumShow answer & explanation →
Q75.
In a network of resistors, we can use superposition. Current due to source E1 alone (E2 removed/short-circuited) in a branch is I1 . Due to E2 alone it is I2 . Actual current:
A I1 + I2 usually, regardless of the direction each current actually flowsB I1 + I2 (algebraically, respecting direction)C I1 x I2 , multiplying the two branch currents togetherD max(I1 , I2 ), taking mainly whichever current is larger in magnitudeShow answer & explanation →
Q76.
A capacitor C and resistor R in series are connected to a battery V. At t=0, switch is closed. Initial current:
A V/RB V/CC ZeroD InfinityShow answer & explanation →
Q77.
Resistance between two opposite faces of a cube of material with resistivity rho and side a:
A rho/aB rho x aC rhoD rho/a2 Show answer & explanation →
Q79.
In a circuit, Thevenin theorem replaces any linear network with:
A One voltage source with series resistanceB One current source with parallel resistanceC Two sources in seriesD Maximum power sourceShow answer & explanation →
Q80.
A wire of resistance R is bent to form a complete circle. Resistance between two diametrically opposite points:
Show answer & explanation →
Q81.
In a balanced Wheatstone bridge, P = 10 Ω, Q = 20 Ω and R = 30 Ω. The value of the unknown resistance S is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q82.
A wire of resistance R is stretched to double its length keeping the volume constant. Its new resistance is:
A halfB 2RC 4RD unchangedShow answer & explanation →
Q83.
Two cells, each of emf 2 V and internal resistance 1 Ω, are connected in series across a 2 Ω resistor. The current is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q85.
In a metre bridge, the balance point is at 40 cm from one end. The ratio of the resistance in the left gap to that in the right gap is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q86.
A cell of emf 6 V and internal resistance 2 Ω delivers maximum power to an external resistor. That maximum power is:
A 2.25 WB 4.5 WC 9 WD 18 WShow answer & explanation →
Q87.
The drift velocity of electrons in a conductor is proportional to the current. If the current is doubled, the drift velocity:
A halvesB doublesC becomes four timesD is unchangedShow answer & explanation →
Q88.
For a metallic conductor, as temperature increases, its resistance generally:
A increasesB decreasesC remains unchangedD becomes zeroShow answer & explanation →