Electric current and its effects
OralQuestions and Answers Pg-204.
. In a simple electric circuit consisting of a cell, conducting wires, a bulb
and a switch, the switch must be connected very close to the cell;
otherwise it will not work properly. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Ans No, it can be placed anywhere in the circuit. The function of the
switch is to either open or close the circuit, and it has no relation with the
cell.
2. Which insulator is used in an electric switch to cut off the supply of
current-plastic, wood or air?
Ans Air
3. What kind of wire will you use for the following-one offering low
resistance or one offering high resistance?
Ans
a. connecting wire - low resistance
b. filament of a bulb - high resistance
4. Which terminal of a cell is at higher potential-positive or negative? How
does this affect the direction of flow of electric current?
Ans Positive, so current always flows from positive terminal to negative
terminal
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Oral Questions and Answers Pg-208
[Link] wire used in an electric fuse should conduct electricity. What other
property must it have?
Ans It must have a low melting point.
2. Acoil of wire wound around a soft iron bar is called an electromagnet.
When does an electromagnet act like a magnet?
Ans only when a current is flowing in the wire
3. Astraight wire carrying a current acts like a magnet. Then why is a coil
of wire used in an electromagnet instead of just a straight wire?
Ans to increase the strength of the magnet
Short Question and Answers
1. What is an electric circuit?
Ans The arrangement where an electric current flows in a conductor when
it is connected toa source of electric current is known as an electric
circuit.
2. What is the relationship between potential difference and direction of
flowof current in an electric circuit?
Ans Electric current always flows from high potential to low potential.
This creates the flow of electric current in an electric circuit.
3. Does every conductor heat up when an electric current is passed
through it? What does the amount of heat depend on? Name the
conductor normally used in heating appliances.
Ans a) Every conductor does not heat up when an electric current is
passed through it.
b) The amount of heat depends on the resistance offered by the
conductor and also the length and thickness of the conductor.
c) Nichrome and tungsten are conductors normally used in heating
appliances.
4. Adomestic circuit develops a shot circuit. What willbe the effect on a
fuse wire connected in the circuit?
Ans The fuse wire will melt.
5. What is a miniature circuit breaker?
Aminiature circuit breaker is a switch that automatically stops the current
in a circuit if the current in it exceeds the specified maximum limit.
6. Draw the symbols used in a circuit for a battery of four cells, a switch, a
lamp.
Ans
6. Symbols used in the circuit:
a battery of four cells : j | F
a switch
a lamp
LongQuestion and Answers
1. Draw a circuit diagram of a dry cell connected to a bulb through a
switch. Mark the positive and negative terminals of the cell, and the
direction of flow of current in the diagram.
Ans
Conventional
current electronic
Current
2. How can you increase the magnetic strength of a solenoid?
Ans The magnetic strength of a solenoid can be increased by:
() Increasing the number of turns in the solenoid
(i) Increasing the current in the solenoid
(ii) Winding the solenoid around a magnetic material
3. What is an electromagnet? Give three uses of electromagnets.
Ans An electro magnet is a temporary magnet made by winding wire
around an iron core. When current flows in the coil the iron becomes a
magnet, and when the current is turned off it looses it's magnetic
properties.
Three uses of electromagnets are:
[Link] is used to lift heavy loads.
2. It is used in electric bell.
3. It is used by doctor to remove iron pieces from our eyes.
4. Explain the working of a simple electric bell.
Ans
"Press switch create a current
" Armature attracted to electromagnet
"Hammer hits gong to produce sound
"Contact screw open and cut off electric current
"Spring pulls armature back again and close contact screw
" Current flows again
HOTS Question and Answers
1. Fuse wires or miniature circuit breakers are not used ina circuit
containing electric cells. Why?
Ans An electric cell gives a very low voltage as compared to the mains.
Therefore, there is no danger of high current flow in a circuit containing
electric cells. Hence fuse wires and circuit breakers, which are safety
devices to prevent accidents, are not required.
2. Can you use a copper wire to make the filament of an electric bulb?
Why?
Ans Copper wire cannot be used in electric bulbs as it will offer very little
resistance to the flow of current and will therefore not get heated up.
3. Mohit used a fuse wire with a specification of 5 amperes in a circuit
connected to an air conditioner which draws a current of 10 amperes.
What willhappen when the air conditioner is switched on? What will you
advise him to do?
Ans The fuse wire willmelt when the AC is switched on, as the normal
current that the AC willdraw (10A) is greater than the rating of the fuse
wire (5 A). Mohit should use a fuse wire of specification greater than10A,
e.g. 15 A.
4. Rita used a fuse wire with a 100 amperes specification ina circuit at
home which drawS a maximum current of 20 amperes when all devices in
the circuit are switched on. Do you think she used the correct fuse wire?
What willyou advise her todo?
Ans 100 A is much higher than the total maximum current of 20 Adrawn
when allappliances are switched on. Hence the fuse wire specification is
not right. t should be a little higher than 20 A, e.g. 25 A.
5. You have seen that the heatingeffect of current can be put to good use.
Can you think of situations where this effect results in wastage of energy?
Ans Heating up of fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, computers etc.,
when current is passed through them are examples of wastage of energy.
6. A coilwith no current passing through it is suspended freely. It points in
the east-west direction. Explain what will happen if a current is passed
through the coil.
Ans If a current is passed through the coil, the freely suspended coil will
deflect towards north-south direction because the current carrying coil
acts as a magnet.
