Comprehension

In a metallic conductor, an electron, moving due to thermal motion, suffers collisions with the heavy fixed ions but after collision, it will emerge with the same speed but in random directions. If we consider all the electrons, their average velocity will be zero. When an electric field is applied, electrons move with an average velocity known as drift velocity (vd). The average time between successive collisions is known as relaxation time (τ ). The magnitude of drift velocity per unit electric field is called mobility (μ). An expression for current through the conductor can be obtained in terms of drift velocity, number of electrons per unit volume (n), electronic charge (−e), and the cross-sectional area (A) of the conductor. This expression leads to an expression between current density (-j) and the electric field (E→ ). Hence, an expression for resistivity (ρ) of a metal is obtained. This expression helps us to understand increase in resistivity of a metal with increase in its temperature, in terms of change in the relaxation time (τ ) and change in the number density of electrons (n). 

Question: 1

Consider two cylindrical conductors A and B, made of the same metal connected in series to a battery. The length and the radius of B are twice that of A. If \( \mu_A \) and \( \mu_B \) are the mobility of electrons in A and B respectively, then \( \frac{\mu_A}{\mu_B} \) is:

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For problems involving conductors in series: - The current is the same in series, so use \( V = I R \) to find the electric field. - Mobility relates to conductivity via \( \sigma = n e \mu \), where \( \sigma = \frac{1}{\rho} \).
Updated On: Jun 17, 2025
  • \( \frac{1}{2} \)
  • \( \frac{1}{4} \)
  • 2
  • 1
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Define the given quantities.
Let the length of A be \( l_A = l \), radius of A be \( r_A = r \). Then, for B: \( l_B = 2l \), \( r_B = 2r \). Since A and B are in series, the current \( I \) is the same. Step 2: Calculate the resistance.
Resistance \( R = \frac{\rho l}{A} \), where \( A = \pi r^2 \).
For A: \( R_A = \frac{\rho l}{\pi r^2} \).
For B: \( R_B = \frac{\rho (2l)}{\pi (2r)^2} = \frac{\rho l}{2\pi r^2} \). Step 3: Find the electric field.
Potential difference: \( V_A = I R_A = I \frac{\rho l}{\pi r^2} \), \( V_B = I R_B = I \frac{\rho l}{2\pi r^2} \).
Electric field: \( E_A = \frac{V_A}{l_A} = \frac{I \rho}{\pi r^2} \), \( E_B = \frac{V_B}{l_B} = \frac{I \rho}{4\pi r^2} \). Step 4: Relate current to mobility.
Current density \( J = n e \mu E \). Since A and B are the same metal, \( n \) and \( e \) are the same.
For A: \( \frac{I}{\pi r^2} = (n e \mu_A) \frac{I \rho}{\pi r^2} \quad \Rightarrow \quad \rho = \frac{1}{n e \mu_A} \).
For B: \( \frac{I}{4\pi r^2} = (n e \mu_B) \frac{I \rho}{4\pi r^2} \quad \Rightarrow \quad \rho = \frac{1}{n e \mu_B} \). Step 5: Find the ratio.
Equate the expressions for \( \rho \): \( \frac{1}{n e \mu_A} = \frac{1}{n e \mu_B} \quad \Rightarrow \quad \frac{\mu_A}{\mu_B} = 1 \).
Thus, the answer is option (D).
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Question: 2

A wire of length 0.5 m and cross-sectional area \( 1.0 \times 10^{-7} \, \text{m}^2 \) is connected to a battery of 2 V that maintains a current of 1.5 A in it. The conductivity of the material of the wire (in \( \Omega^{-1} \cdot \text{m}^{-1} \)) is:

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For conductivity problems: - Use \( R = \frac{\rho l}{A} \) to find resistivity, then \( \sigma = \frac{1}{\rho} \). - Ensure units are consistent: \( \sigma \) in \( \Omega^{-1} \cdot \text{m}^{-1} \).
Updated On: Jun 17, 2025
  • \( 2.5 \times 10^4 \)
  • \( 3.0 \times 10^5 \)
  • \( 3.75 \times 10^6 \)
  • \( 5.0 \times 10^7 \)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Define the given quantities.
Length \( l = 0.5 \, \text{m} \), cross-sectional area \( A = 1.0 \times 10^{-7} \, \text{m}^2 \), voltage \( V = 2 \, \text{V} \), current \( I = 1.5 \, \text{A} \). Step 2: Calculate the resistance.
Using Ohm’s law \( V = I R \): \[ R = \frac{V}{I} = \frac{2}{1.5} = \frac{4}{3} \, \Omega. \] Step 3: Relate resistance to resistivity.
Resistance \( R = \frac{\rho l}{A} \). Solve for resistivity \( \rho \): \[ \rho = \frac{R A}{l} = \frac{\frac{4}{3} \times 1.0 \times 10^{-7}}{0.5} = \frac{\frac{4}{3} \times 10^{-7}}{0.5} = \frac{8}{3} \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}. \] Step 4: Calculate conductivity.
Conductivity \( \sigma = \frac{1}{\rho} \): \[ \sigma = \frac{1}{\frac{8}{3} \times 10^{-7}}} = \frac{3}{8} \times 10^7 = 3.75 \times 10^6 \, \Omega^{-1} \cdot \text{m}^{-1}. \] Thus, the answer is option (C).
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Question: 3

The temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome is \( 1.70 \times 10^{-4} \ , ^\circ\text{C}^{-1} \). In order to increase the resistance of a nichrome wire by 8.5%, the temperature of the wire should be increased by:

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For temperature coefficient problems: - Use \( \frac{\Delta R}{R} = \alpha \Delta T \) to find the temperature change. - Convert percentage increase to decimal form (e.g., 8.5\% = 0.085).
Updated On: Jun 17, 2025
  • \( 250^\circ\text{C} \)
  • \( 500^\circ\text{C} \)
  • \( 850^\circ\text{C} \)
  • \( 1000^\circ\text{C} \)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Define the given quantities.
Temperature coefficient \( \alpha = 1.70 \times 10^{-4} \, ^\circ\text{C}^{-1} \), percentage increase in resistance \( \frac{\Delta R}{R} = 8.5\% = 0.085 \). Step 2: Use the temperature coefficient formula.
The change in resistance is: \[ \frac{\Delta R}{R} = \alpha \Delta T. \] Rearrange to find \( \Delta T \): \[ \Delta T = \frac{\frac{\Delta R}{R}}{\alpha}. \] Step 3: Substitute the values.
\[ \Delta T = \frac{0.085}{1.70 \times 10^{-4}}} = \frac{0.085}{1.70} \times 10^4 = 0.05 \times 10^4 = 500 \, ^\circ\text{C}. \] Thus, the temperature should be increased by 500°C, which matches option (B).
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Question: 4

Consider the contribution of the following two factors I and II in resistivity of a metal:
I. Relaxation time of electrons
II. Number of electrons per unit volume
The resistivity of a metal increases with increase in its temperature because:

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For resistivity problems: - Resistivity \( \rho \propto \frac{1}{\tau} \), where \( \tau \) decreases with temperature. - The number of free electrons \( n \) in metals remains nearly constant with temperature.
Updated On: Jun 17, 2025
  • I decreases and II increases.
  • I increases and II is almost constant.
  • Both I and II increase.
  • I decreases and II is almost constant.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand resistivity in a metal.
The resistivity of a metal is given by: \[ \rho = \frac{m}{n e^2 \tau}, \] where \( m \) is the electron mass, \( n \) is the number of electrons per unit volume, \( e \) is the electron charge, and \( \tau \) is the relaxation time. Step 2: Analyze the effect of temperature.
- Factor I (Relaxation time \( \tau \)): As temperature increases, atomic vibrations increase, causing more frequent electron collisions, reducing \( \tau \). So, \( \tau \) decreases.
- Factor II (Number of electrons \( n \)): In a metal, \( n \) is nearly constant with temperature, as thermal energy does not significantly change the number of free electrons. Step 3: Relate to resistivity.
Since \( \rho \propto \frac{1}{\tau} \) and \( n \) is constant, a decrease in \( \tau \) increases \( \rho \). Thus, the resistivity increases because I decreases and II is almost constant, which matches option (D).
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Question: 5

A steady current flows in a copper wire of non-uniform cross-section. Consider the following three physical quantities:
I. Electric field
II. Current density
III. Drift speed
Then at the different points along the wire:

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For non-uniform conductors: - Current \( I \) is constant in a single path. - Quantities like \( J, v_d, E \) vary inversely with the cross-sectional area \( A \).
Updated On: Jun 17, 2025
  • II and III change, but I is constant.
  • I and II change, but III is constant.
  • I and III change, but II is constant.
  • All I, II, and III change.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Define the quantities.
Steady current \( I \) is constant. The cross-sectional area \( A \) varies along the wire.
- I: Electric field \( E \).
- II: Current density \( J \).
- III: Drift speed \( v_d \). Step 2: Analyze each quantity.
- Current density: \( J = \frac{I}{A} \). Since \( I \) is constant and \( A \) varies, \( J \) changes.
- Drift speed: \( I = n e A v_d \), so \( v_d = \frac{I}{n e A} \). Since \( n, e, I \) are constant and \( A \) varies, \( v_d \) changes.
- Electric field: \( J = \sigma E \), so \( E = \frac{J}{\sigma} = \frac{I}{\sigma A} \). Since \( \sigma, I \) are constant and \( A \) varies, \( E \) changes. Step 3: Conclusion.
All three quantities—I (electric field), II (current density), and III (drift speed)—change along the wire due to the varying cross-section. Thus, the answer is option (D).
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