Current Electricity Previous year Questions with Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
PYQs help you understand the type and difficulty level of questions asked in JEE, highlight important concepts, and improve problem-solving speed and accuracy.
Yes, Current Electricity is a high-weightage topic in both JEE Main and Advanced. It frequently appears in the exam and is essential for mastering other topics in electromagnetism.
Focus on Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws, resistors in series and parallel, Wheatstone Bridge, Meter Bridge, and internal resistance of batteries.
On average, 2–3 questions are asked from Current Electricity in JEE Main each year, often involving conceptual understanding and numerical problem-solving.
Join ALLEN!
(Session 2026 - 27)
Choose class
Choose your goal
Preferred Mode
Choose State
Current Electricity Previous year Questions with Solutions
Current Electricity is a branch of Physics that deals with the study of electric charges in motion. It focuses on how charges flow through conductors, how electrical energy is transferred, and how resistors, capacitors, and other components behave in circuits. Current electricity is fundamental to understanding electrical circuits, devices, and the various applications of electricity.
JEE Main Previous Year Solved Questions on Current Electricity
JEE Adv Previous Year Solved Questions on Current Electricity
1.0Important Definitions
1. Current: Rate of flow of charge through cross-section of a conductor is called electric current.
I=ΔtΔQ=tne=sC= Ampere
2. Drift Velocity (vd)- It is the mean velocity acquired by the free electrons of a conductor in the inverse direction of the externally applied electric field.
Vd=meEτ
3.Current Density
It is defined as the current flowing per unit cross-sectional area of a conductor.
It gives us information about magnitude and direction of current passing through an area.
J=AI
4.Ohm’s Law
In Physical quantities like temperature,pressure,volume,length,cross-section or nature of the material kept constant then current through a conductor is directly proportional to potential difference applied across it.This is called Ohm’s Law.
V=IR
5.Carbon Colour Code Resistor
6. Kirchhoff’s First Law
This law is also known as junction law or current law (KCL).According to this-In an electric circuit, the net sum of the currents gathering at any junction in the circuit is zero.
Sum of the currents arriving the junction is equal to sum of the currents departing the junction
∑i=0
7.Kirchhoff’s Second Law
It is also known as loop rule or voltage law (KVL) and according to it in any closed circuit the algebraic sum of e.m.f. and algebraic sum of potential drops is zero.
∑IR+∑E=0
8.Cell:A cell is a device that provides the necessary potential difference to maintain a continuous flow of current in an electric circuit. It consists of two electrodes, typically rods or plates, which are immersed in a chemical solution known as the electrolyte.
Note-The Current Electricity chapter is crucial for JEE Main, contributing approximately 9 to 10% of the total Physics section weightage. Students can expect around 3 to 4 questions from this topic, totaling about 12 marks. Key concepts in this chapter, such as Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws, are commonly tested and play a vital role in the exam.
This study material on current electricity is essential for JEE Main preparation as it covers fundamental concepts like Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws, which are frequently tested in the exam. By mastering these topics, students can solve a wide range of problems, improving their problem-solving skills and boosting their confidence. It also provides a solid foundation for tackling both conceptual and numerical questions, enhancing overall performance in the exam.
2.0Key Concepts To Remember
Current
I=ΔtΔQ=tne=sC= Ampere
Instantaneous current
i=Δt→0lim(ΔtΔq)=dtdqdq=idtq=∫idt
Drift Velocity
Vd=meEτ
Relation Between Drift Velocity and Current
i=dtdq=dtenAdx=neA(dtdx)=neAVd
Mobility
μ=EVd=E1meEτ⇒μ=meτ
Current density
J=AII=JACosθI=J⋅AI=∫J(dACosθ)
Relation between Current density and Electric Field
J=σE
Ohm’s Law
V=IR
Electrical Resistance
R=ρAl
Specific Resistance or Resistivity(\rho)
ρ=ne2τm
Temperature dependence of Resistance and Resistivity
Shunt- S=[i−igig]G⇒S=[igi−11]G⇒S=[n−1G], where n=igi
Voltmeter
H=(VgV−Vg)G=(VgV−1)GH=(n−1)G where n=VgVV= Range of Voltmeter Vg= Range of Galvanometer
Meter Bridge
RQ=PX⇒X=RPQ or X=l100−lR
End Corrections of Meter Bridge
α=R1−R2R2l1−R1l2 and β=R1−R2R1l1−R2l2−100
3.0JEE Main Past Year Questions with Solutions on Current Electricity
Q-1.A wire of length 10 cm and radius 7×10−4m connected across the right gap of a meter bridge. When a resistance of 4.5 Ω is connected on the left gap by using a resistance box, the balance length is found to be at 60 cm from the left end. If the resistivity of the wire is R×10−7Ωm , then value of R is :
Q-2.Three voltmeters, all having different internal resistances are joined as shown in figure. When some potential difference is applied across A and B, their readings are V1, V2 and V3. Choose the correct option.
V1=V2
V1=V3−V2
V1+V2>V3
V1+V2=V3
Solution:
Ans (4) From KVL
V1+V2−V3=0⇒V1+V2=V3
Q-3.Wheatstone bridge principle is used to measure the specific resistance (S1) of given wire, having length L, radius r. If X is the resistance of wire, then specific resistance is S1=X(Lπr2) If the length of the wire gets doubled then the value of specific resistance will be :
Solution:
S=(I−Ig)IgG=8−0.003(3×10−3)10=3.75×10−3Ω
Q-4.The deflection in the moving coil galvanometer falls from 25 divisions to 5 divisions when a shunt of 24Ω is applied. The resistance of galvanometer coil will be :
1. 12Ω
96Ω
48Ω
100Ω
Solution: Ans(2)
Let x= Current/division
After applying shunt
Now 5x×G=20x×24G=4×24=96Ω
Q-5.Two cells are connected in opposition as shown. Cell E1 is of 8 V emf and 2 Ω internal resistance; the cell E2 is of 2 V emf and 4 Ω internal resistance. The terminal potential difference of cell E2 is:
Solution: Ans (6)
I=2+48−2=66=1A
Applying Kirchhoff's Law from C to B
VC−2−4×1=VBVC−VB=6V
Q-7. When a potential difference V is applied across a wire of resistance R, it dissipates energy at a rate W. If the wire is cut into two halves and these halves are connected mutually parallel across the same supply, the same supply, the energy dissipation rate will become:
41W
21W
2 W
4 W
Solution: Ans(4)
RV2=W…….21(2R)V2=W′….
From (1) and (2)
W′=4W
Q-8.The resistance per centimeter of a meter bridge wire is r, with XΩ resistance in the left gap. Balancing length from left end is at 40 cm with 25Ω resistance in the right gap. Now the wire is replaced by another wire of 2r resistance per centimeter. The new balancing length for same settings will be at
20 cm
10 cm
80 cm
40 cm
Solution: Ans(4)
rl125=rl2X……rl1′25=2rl2X….
From (1) and (2)
i2′=l2=40cm
Q-9. By what percentage will the illumination of the lamp decrease if the current drops by 20%?
46%
26%
36%
56%
Solution:Ans(3)
P=i2RPint =Iint 2RPfinal =(0.8Iint )2R
% Change in power =Pint Pfinal −Pint ×100=(0.61−1)×100=−36%
Q-10.In the following circuit, the battery has an emf of 2 V and an internal resistance of 32Ω. The power consumption in the entire circuit is ______ W.
Solution:
Req=34ΩP=ReqV2=344=3W
Q-11.In a metre-bridge when a resistance in the left gap is 2 and unknown resistance in the right gap, the balance length is found to be 40 cm. On shunting the unknown resistance with 2 , the balance length changes by :
22.5 cm
20 cm
62.5 cm
65 cm
Solution:Ans(1)
First Case:
402=60X⇒X=3Ω
Second case
X′=2+32×3=1.2Ω
l2=100−l1.2200−2l=1.2ll=3.2200=62.5cm
Balance length change by 22.5 cm
Q-12.The reading in the ideal voltmeter (V) shown in the given circuit diagram is :
5V
10V
0V
3V
Solution: Ans(3)
i=reqEeq=8×0.28×5⇒25AV=E−iR=5−0.2×25=0V
Q-13.A galvanometer has a resistance of 50 and it allows a maximum current of 5 mA. It can be converted into voltmeter to measure up to 100 V by connecting in series a resistor of resistance
5975Ω
20050Ω
19950Ω
19500Ω
Solution: Ans(3)
R=IgV−Rg=5×10−3100−50R=20000−50=19950Ω
Q-14.The current in a conductor is expressed as t, where I is in Ampere and t is in second. The amount of electric charge that flows through a section of the conductor during t=1s to t=2s is ____________ C.
Solution:Ans (22)
q=∫12idt=∫12idt=∫12(3t2+4t3)dtq=t3+t412
q = 22C
Q-15.Twelve wires each having resistance 2Ω are joined to form a cube. A battery of 6 V emf is joined across point a and c. The voltage difference between e and f is_____ V.
Solution:Ans(1)
From symmetry,current through e-b and g-d = 0
Q-16.A wire of resistance R and radius r is stretched till its radius becomes r/2. If the new resistance of the stretched wire is x R, then the value of x is _________.
Solution:Ans(16)
R=ρAl,R∝r21
As we stretch the wire ,its length will increase but its radius will decrease keeping the volume constant.
Q-17.A galvanometer has a coil of resistance 200Ω with a full scale deflection at 20μA. The value of resistance to be added to use it as an ammeter of range (0–20) mA is:
Q-18.The equivalent resistance between A and B is:
18Ω
25Ω
37Ω
19Ω
Solution: Ans(4)
Req=6+5+8=19Ω
Q-19.At room temperature (27ºC), the resistance of a heating element is 50Ω. The temperature coefficient of the material is 2.4 × 10–4 ºC–1. The temperature of the element, when its resistance is 62Ω is …………. ºC.