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1.

Where is a fuse placed in an electrical circuit? Name a material suitable for making a fuse wire. 

Answer»

The fuse is placed in the live wire just after the ‘electricity meter’ of the consumer. Fuse wires are generally made of an alloy of tin and lead and have a relatively low melting point.

2.

Name three main characteristics of an heating element.

Answer»

The three main characteristics of an heating element are: 

(i) It should have a high resistance so that a major amount of electric energy is converted into heat energy. 

(ii) It should not get oxidised easily up to a temperature of 1000°C. 

(iii) It should have a high melting point and a low thermal Expansion so that it does not get loosened on getting heated.

3.

What are ‘dual switches’? Mention their one main use. 

Answer»

Dual switches are double pole type switches. With such switches an appliance, e.g., and electric bulb can be switched off or on from two different places. They are generally used in staircases, long corridors etc.

4.

Mention three uses of the carbon arc. 

Answer»

 (i) They are used in light houses. 

(ii) They are used in search lights and cinema projection appliances. 

(iii) They are used in electric furnace and electric welding. 

5.

Name two common material used for heating elements. 

Answer»

Nichrome and manganin are the common alloys that are mostly used for making heating elements. 

Nichrome is: 60% nickel + 25% iron + 15% chromium. 

Manganin is: 83% manganese + 13% copper + 4% nickel.

6.

Why is a concave reflector placed behind the heating element in a room heater.

Answer»

The concave reflector, reflects the heat radiations in the forward direction. Thus, large amount of heat radiations are available in one particular direction.

7.

In an electric radiator or room heater, state with reason, why the porcelain tube wound with a nichrome wire is placed between the pole and principal focus of the parabolic concave reflector.

Answer»

In this position, when current passes through the nichrome wire, it becomes red hot and the concave reflector helps in spreading the heat radiation in the room because it forms a divergent beam on account of the heating element being placed between the pole and the principal focus of the reflector. 

8.

Why is the heating element of an electric oven wound on a helix? State the reason. 

Answer»

In an electric oven, the china clay plate is provided either with lateral grooves or grooves in the form of a spiral helix. This type of spiral winding reduces the area of spread of nichrome wire and helps to concentrate heat in a small region.

9.

Why is heating element wound on a long porcelain rod in a room heater.

Answer»

This reduces the area over which element of the heater is spread. As heat is produced over smaller area, therefore temperature of its element rises to about 1000°C.

10.

Why is heating coil wound in the form of a helix in electric stove? 

Answer»

This reduces the area over which element of heater is spread. As heat is produced over smaller area, therefore temperature of its element rises to about 1000°C.

11.

An electric current is passed through a metallic wire. The wire gets heated up. Give the reason. Is it possible to melt the wire by passing a heavy current?

Answer»

The metallic wire gets heated up on passing an electric current through it due to collisions of free electrons and energy is transferred to the positive ions which begin to vibrate more violently, causing to produce heat. It is possible to melt the wire by passing a heavy current. The wire will melt when its temperature due to heating reaches its melting point.

12.

Establish the relation that heat produced in a metallic conductor due to the flow of current is V2t/R joules, where V is the potential difference across the ends of the conductor, R its resistance and t is the time in second for which current flows.

Answer»

From the relation   

Q = vit joule

Applying ohm's law, V = iR

or i = V/R

Substituting the value of i, we get

Q = V.(V/R)t = V2t/Rjoule.

13.

What is the energy conversion when an electric current passes through a metallic wire?

Answer»

When an electric current passes through a metallic wire, the wire becomes hot and the whole of electric energy is converted into heat energy.

14.

How does the heat produced by die passage of current in a metallic wire depend on: (i) the current in the wire (ii) the resistance of the wire, and (iii) the time of passage of current in the wire?

Answer»

(i) The heat produced is proportional to the square of current passed in the wire. 

(ii) The heat produced is proportional to the resistance of the wire. 

(iii) The heat produced is proportional to the time of passage of current in the wire.

15.

What is the function of the split rings in a d.c. motor?

Answer»

The split ring atts as a commutator in a d.c. motor. With the split ring, the direction of current through the coil is reversed after every half rotation of coil and thus the direction of couple rotating the coil remains unchanged and the coil continues to rotate in the same direction.

16.

Why is the electric power from the generating station transmitted at high voltage?

Answer»

The electric power from the generating station is transmitted at high voltage to minimise the loss of energy in the live wires.

17.

At what voltage is the electric power generated at the generating station? Explain the transmission of this power to your house.

Answer»

At the generating station the electric power is generated at 11,000 volt. This voltage is alternating of frequency 50Hz. To transmit this power to our house the alternating voltage generated at the generating station is first stepped up from 11,000V to 1,32,000V. It is then transmitted to the main sub-station through the high-tension line wires, where it is stepped down to 3,300V and then transmitted to the city sub-station. At the city sub-station, the voltage is further stepped down to 220V for supply to the houses through the overhead line wires.

18.

Give the role of each of the three terminals of a three way pin plug. 

Answer»

The earth pin being thicker can never enter live or neutral sockets thus a given electric appliance gets connected only in one proper electrical position, where the live wire, neutral and earthings are connected correctly. 

The earth pins being longer, get connected to earth terminal first, thus ensuring that user will not get electric shock, because the current will melt the fuse in case the electrical appliance is short circuited.

19.

What will happen if switch is connected in ‘neutral wire’?

Answer»

If switch is connected in the neutral wire, an electric appliance, e.g., an electric iron will remain connected to the live wire even when the switch is off and so if any one happens to touch the appliances; he of she will get a shock which is sometimes fatal.

20.

What is a switch? State its function in an electric circuit.

Answer»

A switch is an on-off device for current flowing in a circuit or in an electric appliance. The switch should always be connected in the live wire. Its main function is either to connect or disconnect an electric appliance in an electric circuit.

21.

Why a switch should not be touched with wet hands?

Answer»

switch should not be touched with wet hands because the water forms a conducting layer between the live wire of the switch and the hand and so we may get a fatal shock when the current passes from the ‘live’ wire to the hand. 

22.

An Electric bulb is marked 100W, 230V. What current does it take?

Answer» Current drawn (l)= Power(P)/ Voltage (V)

=100/230 = 0.44A

Current flowing in bulb = i = P/V = 100/230 = 10/23A = 0.435A

23.

An electric bulb is marked 100W, 230V. What does this mean?

Answer»

This statement means that the bulb is operated at 230 volt and consumes 100 watt of power.

24.

If the rating of an electric bulb is 100W – 230V, Explain its meaning.

Answer»

If an electric bulb is rated as 100W – 230V, it means that the bulb is lighted on a 230V supply, it consumes 100W electric power (i.e., 100J of energy per sec.). 

25.

What is ‘Rating’ of an electric appliance?

Answer»

Rating of an electric appliance indicates energy consumed per second or watt when connected to a supply of given voltage.

26.

Name a metal that is used as an electron emitter. Give one reason for using this metal.

Answer»

Thoriated tungsten (tungsten coated with carbon and thorium) is used as an electron emitter. Thoriated tungsten is used since it has a work function of only 2-6eV and it needs to be heated to only 2000K to emit electrons.

27.

Which material is the calorimeter commonly made of Give one reason for using this material. 

Answer»

Copper. It is good conductor of heat.

28.

Define Kilo watt hour.

Answer»

Kilowatt hour is a commercial unit of electric energy consumed. It is also called B.O.T. (Board of Trade) unit and is used throughout the world in calculating the amount of electric energy consumed. kWh is defined as the amount of electric energy consumed by an electric appliance of power 1kW for one hour.

29.

An Electric bulb is marked 100W, 230V. What find the energy consumed by the bulb in one hour. 

Answer»

 Energy consumed in Is is 100J. 

∴ Energy consumed in hour = 100 × 60 × 60J = 360000J. 

30.

Define Watt hour.

Answer»

Watt hour is a smaller commercial unit of electric energy, which is spend by an electric appliance of 

1 watt power in 1 hour, i.e. 

1 watt hour = 1 watt × hour = 1 watt × (60 × 60)s = 3600 joule.

31.

What does the unit kilowatt hour measure? Define it.

Answer»

The unit kilowatt hour measures the electrical energy. 1kWh is the electrical energy consumed by an electric appliance of power 1kW when it is used for 1 hour.

32.

Point out two main disadvantages of ‘Tree System’.

Answer»

The three main disadvantages are: 

(i) Longer length of wire is required for wiring different rooms in a house. Since all circuits start from the main distribution board and so it is comparatively more Expensive. 

(ii) If fuse blows off in any part of the building, it disconnects all the appliances in the circuit.

33.

What are the two main systems of wiring commonly used in houses? Which of these systems mentioned by you is better and why?

Answer»

The two main systems of wiring are: (i) the tree system, and (ii) the ring system. Out of these systems, the ring system is better. The reason is that this system of wiring is cheaper because a low rating wire can be used for connection of appliances.

34.

An electric heater is rated 220V, 550W. (i) What does this statement mean? (ii) Calculate the electrical energy consumed in 3 hours? (iii) Electrical energy is also measured in kWh. What do you understand by a kilo-watt-hour?

Answer»

(i) The statement means that the heater should be connected to 220V Supply and that it consumes 550W power.

(ii) Energy consumed in 3hrs = (550 x 3)/1000 = 1.65Kwh = 1.65 x 3600 = 5940KJ.

(iii) The energy consumed in a resistor when the potential difference is 1V and 1A current flows for 1000 hrs.

35.

The diagram below shows two ways of connecting three bulbs A, B, C to 220V main in a room. Name the two arrangements. Which of them would you prefer? Give two reasons to your answer.

Answer»

The arrangement shown in the figure (i) is a series arrangement.The arrangement in figure (ii) is the parallel arrangement. 

We prefer the parallel arrangement. 

The reasons are: 

(i) In series arrangement if one of the bulb is fused, the other bulbs also cease to glow. But in parallel arrangement, if one bulb fuses, the other bulbs continue to glow. 

(ii) In series arrangement, while one bulb glows if the other bulb is switched on, the resistance of the circuit increases and hence the bulbs glow less bright. But in parallel arrangement, each bulb glows at the same voltage, therefore the glow of a bulb is unaffected if another bulb is switched on. 

36.

Two sets A and B of four bulbs each, are glowing in two separate rooms. When one Of the bulbs in set is fused, the other three bulbs also cease to glow. But in set B, when one bulb fuses, the remaining ones continue to glow. Explain the difference. 

Answer»

In set A, the bulbs are joined in series so there is only one path of current for each bulb. But in set B, the bulbs are joined in parallel so there is separate path of current for each bulb.

37.

You are required to connect a bulb, a fan and a socket outlet to the mains in one set A and an air-conditioner and a refrigerator to the mains in other set B. Will you recommend the wire of same thickness and same insulation in both? explain your answer. 

Answer»

No. The wire used in set B must be thicker and of better insulation than that used in set A. The reason is that in set B, the appliances will draw heavy current (= 15A) when they are used, whereas in set A, the appliances will draw ordinary current (= 5A) when they are in use. Therefore, the resistance of wire used in set B must be less than that of wire used in set A. A thick wire has less resistance than a thin wire.

38.

A lady working in her kitchen received a shock from an electric hot plate. What could be the reason for the shock?

Answer»

The reason can be that the metallic case of the electric hot plate is not earthed and the live wire of hot plate have come in contact with its case.

39.

How does earthing prevent electrical shock?

Answer»

Local earthing provides us safety from electric shocking in the case of short circuiting. When excessive current flows through the live wire, it will pass to the earth through the earth wire. In the absence of local earthing, it may causes fire due to over heating of the live wire. 

In the case of an electronic appliance, if its outer metallic body is earthed and by chance, if it happens to touch live wire, then metallic casing acquires the potential of the live wire and so any person touching it is likely to get a total shock. But if earthed, a heavy current flows and the fuse connected to the appliances blows off. Thus the person touching it does not get any shock.

40.

What is meant by earthing of an electrical appliance? Why is it essential?

Answer»

 Earthing of an electrical appliance meant the outer metallic case of appliance is connected with earth, wire which is welded to the end of a copper rod and it is burned in the ground. It save the appliance during short circuiting by passing Excessive current to earth.

41.

State two advantages of filling an inert gas in an evacuated electric filament lamp. 

Answer»

(i) The inert gas is filled at very low pressure to prevent oxidation as well as evaporation and thus increases its life. 

(ii) While bulb is working, a convection current is set-up within it which carries the spurting particles of tungsten upward towards the cap and hence the blackening of the lower part (transparent portion) of the bulb is avoided.

42.

What is the order of current drawn by appliances connected to the ‘light circuit’ of a household? 

Answer»

The appliances, connected to the light circuit, are supposed to draw currents of the order of 10A to 5A. 

43.

Of the three connecting wires in a household circuit: Which two of the three wires are at the same potential? In which of the three wires should the switch be connected?

Answer»

Neutral wire and Earth wire are at same potential and the switch be connected to live wire. 

44.

Two fuse wires of the same lengths are rated 5A and 20A. Which of the two fuse wires is thick and why? 

Answer»

20A wire is thick as it carries large current and so its area of cross-section will be large.

45.

Out of the three fuses with current ratings 5A, 10A, 15A, which one is to be connected in a geyser circuit marked 3kW, 220V? Give reason for your answer.

Answer»

The current flowing through geyser

= (3 x 1000)/220 = 13.63A = 14A.

The rating of fuse should be just matching with the maximum current carried by the circuit. So the fuse rating should be of 15A.