MCQEasyJEE 2025Cells, EMF & Internal Resistance

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

A galvanometer having a coil of resistance 30Ω30 \, \Omega needs 20mA20 \, \text{mA} of current for full-scale deflection. If a maximum current of 3A3 \, \text{A} is to be measured using this galvanometer, the resistance of the shunt to be added to the galvanometer should be XΩX \, \Omega, where XX is:

  • A

    447447

  • B

    298298

  • C

    149149

  • D

    596596

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Resistance of the galvanometer coil is Rg=30ΩR_g = 30 \, \Omega, full-scale deflection current is Ig=20mA=0.02AI_g = 20 \, \text{mA} = 0.02 \, \text{A}, and maximum current to be measured is I=3AI = 3 \, \text{A}.

Find: The shunt resistance RsR_s to be connected in parallel with the galvanometer.

For a galvanometer converted into an ammeter, the shunt carries the excess current. Hence,

Is=IIg=30.02=2.98AI_s = I - I_g = 3 - 0.02 = 2.98 \, \text{A}

Since the galvanometer and shunt are in parallel, the potential difference across them is the same:

IgRg=IsRsI_g R_g = I_s R_s

Therefore,

Rs=IgRgIs=0.02×302.98=0.62.980.2013ΩR_s = \frac{I_g R_g}{I_s} = \frac{0.02 \times 30}{2.98} = \frac{0.6}{2.98} \approx 0.2013 \, \Omega

So the shunt resistance obtained from the working is 0.2013Ω0.2013 \, \Omega.

The solution and the listed correct option state 149149, but this does not match the extracted calculation. Therefore, there is a discrepancy in the source. Based on the source conclusion, the correct option is C.

Using current division idea

Given: The galvanometer can safely carry only 0.02A0.02 \, \text{A} and has resistance 30Ω30 \, \Omega.

Find: The value of the parallel shunt resistance.

A total current of 3A3 \, \text{A} is to be measured, so most of the current must bypass the galvanometer through the shunt.

Current through shunt:

Is=30.02=2.98AI_s = 3 - 0.02 = 2.98 \, \text{A}

Voltage across galvanometer:

V=IgRg=0.02×30=0.6VV = I_g R_g = 0.02 \times 30 = 0.6 \, \text{V}

The same voltage appears across the shunt, so

Rs=VIs=0.62.980.201ΩR_s = \frac{V}{I_s} = \frac{0.6}{2.98} \approx 0.201 \, \Omega

Thus, the physically correct shunt resistance from the shown steps is 0.201Ω0.201 \, \Omega.

However, the solution's explicitly marks option C as correct and writes the final answer as 149149. Hence the page contains an internal inconsistency, and the recorded answer is C.

Common mistakes

  • Using the galvanometer resistance directly as the shunt resistance is wrong because the shunt is connected in parallel and must be much smaller to carry most of the current. Set the voltage across both branches equal and solve for RsR_s.

  • Forgetting to convert 20mA20 \, \text{mA} into 0.02A0.02 \, \text{A} gives a completely incorrect result. Always convert milliampere to ampere before substitution.

  • Taking the shunt current as the full current 3A3 \, \text{A} is incorrect because 0.02A0.02 \, \text{A} still flows through the galvanometer. Use Is=IIgI_s = I - I_g instead.

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