Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
The circuit in figure shows two cells connected in opposition to each other. Cell E1 is of emf 6V and internal resistance 2Ω; the cell E2 is of emf 4V and internal resistance 8Ω. Find the potential difference between the points A and B.
Advertisements
Solution
In this problem, after finding the electric current flow in the circuit by using Kirchoff’s law or Ohm’s law, the potential difference across AB can be obtained.

Applying Ohm's law.
Equivalent emf of two cells = 6 – 4 = 2V and equivalent resistance = 2Ω + 8Ω = 10Ω, so the electric current is given by
`I = (6 - 4)/(2 + 8)` = 0.2 A
Taking loop in anti-clockwise direction, since E1 > E2
The direction of flow of current is always from high potential to low potential.
Therefore VB > VA.
⇒ VB – 4V – (0.2) × = VA
Therefore, VB – VA = 3.6V
Important point: Sign convention for the application of Kirchoff’s law: For the application of Kirchoff’s laws following sign convention are to be considered.
(i) The change in potential in traversing a resistance in the direction of current is – iR while in the opposite direction + iR.

(ii) The change in potential in traversing as emf source from negative to positive terminal is +E while in the opposite direction – E irrespective of the direction of current in the circuit.

APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Kirchhoff's voltage law and current law are respectively in accordance with the conservation of .................................. .
- charge and momentum
- charge and energy
- energy and charge
- energy and momentum
Given the resistances of 1 Ω, 2 Ω, 3 Ω, how will be combine them to get an equivalent resistance of (11/3) Ω?
Given the resistances of 1 Ω, 2 Ω, 3 Ω, how will be combine them to get an equivalent resistance of 6 Ω?
Given the resistances of 1 Ω, 2 Ω, 3 Ω, how will be combine them to get an equivalent resistance of (6/11) Ω?
State Kirchhoff's rules for an electric network. Using Kirchhoff's rules, obtain the balance condition in terms of the resistances of four arms of Wheatstone bridge.
Consider the potentiometer circuit as arranged in the figure. The potentiometer wire is 600 cm long. (a) At what distance from the point A should the jockey touch the wire to get zero deflection in the galvanometer? (b) If the jockey touches the wire at a distance of 560 cm from A, what will be the current in the galvanometer?

Solve the following question.
Using Kirchhoff’s rules, calculate the current through the 40 Ω and 20 Ω resistors in the following circuit.

State Kirchhoff’s current rule.
State Kirchhoff ’s voltage rule.
State the principle of potentiometer.
A potentiometer wire has a length of 4 m and resistance of 20 Ω. It is connected in series with resistance of 2980 Ω and a cell of emf 4 V. Calculate the potential along the wire.
In a potentiometer arrangement, a cell of emf 1.25 V gives a balance point at 35 cm length of the wire. If the cell is replaced by another cell and the balance point shifts to 63 cm, what is the emf of the second cell?
The instrument for the accurate measurement of the e.m.f of a cell is ______.
While measuring the length of the rod by vernier callipers, the reading on the main scale is 6.4 cm and the eight divisions on vernier is in line with marking on the main scale division. If the least count of callipers is 0.01 and zero error - 0.04 cm, the length of the rod is ______.
What is the advantage of using thick metallic strips to join wires in a potentiometer?
Derive the equation of the balanced state in a Wheatstone bridge using Kirchhoff’s laws.
A 6-volt battery is connected to the terminals of a three-metre-long wire of uniform thickness and resistance of 100 ohms. The difference of potential between two points on the wire separated by a distance of 50 cm will be ______.
