Skip to content
Question of 42

Q.In the adjacent figure, if current is zero in the resistance of 10 Ω10\,\Omega, then calculate - (1½+1½=3)

(a) Value of resistance X
(b) Current in resistance of 4 Ω4\,\Omega [FIGURE: A Wheatstone-bridge-style resistor network with four outer nodes forming a diamond: left node A, top node P, right node B, bottom node Q. Arm A–P = 3 Ω3\,\Omega, arm P–B = 6 Ω6\,\Omega (the two resistors meeting at the top), arm A–Q = X (unknown, bottom-left), arm Q–B = 12 Ω12\,\Omega (bottom-right). The bridge arm P–Q (connecting the top and bottom vertices) = 10 Ω10\,\Omega, the resistor stated to carry zero current. Nodes A and B are closed externally through a 4 Ω4\,\Omega resistor in series with a 5 V battery, completing the outer loop.]
(OR)
State the Kirchhoff's laws for an electric circuit and explain them with a circuit diagram.
Uttarakhand UbseUttarakhand Board Intermediate (Class 12) 2022Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
0% · 0/42 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Zero current in the bridge arm means the bridge is balanced: use P×S=Q×RP\times S = Q\times R, then combine the two balanced arms as resistors in parallel.

Label the bridge nodes: A (left, battery/4Ω\Omega side), P (top vertex), B (right), Q (bottom vertex, between X and the bridge). The four arms are A-P=3 ΩA\text{-}P = 3\,\Omega, P-B=6 ΩP\text{-}B = 6\,\Omega, A-Q=XA\text{-}Q = X, Q-B=12 ΩQ\text{-}B = 12\,\Omega, with the bridge (galvanometer) arm P-Q=10 ΩP\text{-}Q = 10\,\Omega.

(a) Finding X:

Since the current through the 10 Ω10\,\Omega bridge arm is zero, the bridge is balanced, so points P and Q are at the same potential. The Wheatstone bridge balance condition is:

A-PP-B=A-QQ-B⇒36=X12\dfrac{A\text{-}P}{P\text{-}B} = \dfrac{A\text{-}Q}{Q\text{-}B} \quad\Rightarrow\quad \dfrac{3}{6} = \dfrac{X}{12}

X=3×126=6 ΩX = \dfrac{3\times12}{6} = 6\,\Omega

(b) Current in the 4 Ω4\,\Omega resistor:

Since the bridge is balanced, no current flows through the 10 Ω10\,\Omega arm, so it can be removed from the circuit for analysis. The circuit then reduces to two parallel branches between A and B:

  • Branch 1 (A-P-B): 3+6=9 Ω3+6 = 9\,\Omega
  • Branch 2 (A-Q-B): X+12=6+12=18 ΩX+12 = 6+12 = 18\,\Omega

Equivalent resistance of the parallel combination:

1RAB=19+118=218+118=318=16⇒RAB=6 Ω\dfrac{1}{R_{AB}} = \dfrac{1}{9}+\dfrac{1}{18} = \dfrac{2}{18}+\dfrac{1}{18} = \dfrac{3}{18} = \dfrac{1}{6} \quad\Rightarrow\quad R_{AB} = 6\,\Omega

This combination is in series with the external 4 Ω4\,\Omega resistor and the 5 V5\,\text{V} battery:

Rtotal=RAB+4=6+4=10 ΩR_{total} = R_{AB} + 4 = 6+4 = 10\,\Omega

Itotal=VRtotal=510=0.5 AI_{total} = \dfrac{V}{R_{total}} = \dfrac{5}{10} = 0.5\,\text{A}

This entire current flows through the 4 Ω4\,\Omega resistor, since it is in series with the rest of the circuit.

…

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.