Serway Physics II Example Questions 1

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Current, Resistance, Electromotive Forces, and Direct Current Circuits

1. The amount of charge that passes through the filament of a certain light bulb in 2 s is 1.67 C. Find
(a) the average current in the light bulb, and [0.835 A]
(b) the number of electrons that pass through the filament in 5 s. [2.61 x 1019 electrons]
(𝑞 = -1.6 x 10-19 C/electron)

2. Suppose 6.40 x 1021 electron pass through a wire in 2 min. Find the average current. [8.53A]

3. (a) Calculate the resistance per unit length of a 22-gauge Nichrome wire of radius 0.321 mm.[4.6 Ω/m]
(b) If a potential difference of 10 V is maintained across a 1 m length of the Nichrome wire, what is the current in
the wire? [2.2 A]
(c) The wire is melted down and recast with twice its original length. Find the new resistance, RN as a multiple of the
old resistance, RO. (𝜌 of Nichrome = 1.5 x 10-6 Ω m) [4RO]

4. (a) What is the resistance of a 6 m length of Nichrome wire that has a radius 0.321 mm? [28 Ω]
(b) How much current does it carry when connected to a 120 V source? [4.3 A]

5. A resistance thermometer, which measures temperature by measuring the change in resistance of a conductor is
made of platinum and has a resistance of 50 Ω at 20 oC.
(a) When the device is immersed in a vessel containing melting indium, its resistance increases to 76.8 Ω. From this
information, find the melting point of indium. [157 oC]
The indium is heated further until it reaches a temperature of 255 oC. What is the ratio of the new current in the
platinum to the current Imp at the melting point? (𝛼 of platinum = 3.92 x 10-3) [0.766]

6. Suppose a wire made of an unknown alloy and having a temperature of 20 oC carries a current of 0.45 A. At 52 oC the
current is 0.37 A for the same potential difference. Find the temperature coefficient of resistivity of the alloy.
[6.76 x 10-3 (oC)-1]

7. A circuit provides a maximum current of 20 A at an operating voltage of 1.2 x 10 2 V. How many 75 W bulbs can
operate with this voltage source? [32 bulbs]

8. How many tree lights drawing 5 W of power each could be run on a circuit operating at 1.2 x 10 2 V and providing 15
A of current? [360 bulbs]

9. An electric heater is operated by applying a potential difference of 50 V to a wire of total resistance 8 Ω. Find the
current carried by the wire and the power rating of the heater. [6.25 A, 313W]

10. A hot water heater is rated at 4.5 x 103 W and operates at 2.4 x102 V. Find the resistance in the heating element and
the current. [12.8 Ω, 18.8 A]

By azdn92