Physics Question from JEE Main 2026 · 24 January, Shift 2

The reading of the ammeter ($A$) in steady state in the circuit described below (assuming negligible internal resistance of the ammeter) is _____ $A$.

A $10 \, \text{V}$ cell feeds the network through a $1 \, \Omega$ resistor that leads from its positive terminal to a node $X$. Three branches leave $X$ and all of them end on the bottom return rail: (i) an $8 \, \Omega$ resistor straight down to the rail; (ii) a $4 \, \Omega$ resistor across to a node $Y$, from which two $8 \, \Omega$ resistors run in parallel down to the rail; and (iii) a $10 \, \mu\text{F}$ capacitor in series with an $8 \, \Omega$ resistor. The rail returns to the negative terminal of the cell, and the ammeter $A$ is inserted in that rail between the foot of branch (i) and the feet of branches (ii) and (iii).