Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
NEET 2026
Exam
NEET
Year
2026
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Current Electricity

NEET 2026 · Physics · Current Electricity

Consider two circuits, (A) and (B), each having two resistors. One...

Consider two circuits, (A) and (B), each having two resistors. One of them has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, +α+\alpha, while the other one has a negative temperature of coefficient, −α-\alpha, as shown in the figure. The current through these circuits are denoted by IAI_A and IBI_B. At initial temperature, the resistance of the two resistors is R0R_0. As the temperature is increased, the correct option that describes the variation of current in these circuits is :
Consider two circuits, (A) and (B), each having two resistors. One of them has a positive temperature coefficient of

Options

  1. Aboth IAI_A and IBI_B remain constant
  2. BIAI_A remains constant while IBI_B increases
  3. CIAI_A decreases while IBI_B increases
  4. DIAI_A increases while IBI_B decreases

Correct answer

B. IAI_A remains constant while IBI_B increases

Step-by-step solution

For circuit (A), the two resistors are connected in series.
The equivalent resistance is given by:
RA=R0(1−αΔT)+R0(1+αΔT)=2R0R_A = R_0(1 - \alpha \Delta T) + R_0(1 + \alpha \Delta T) = 2R_0
The current in circuit (A) is IA=VRA=V2R0I_A = \dfrac{V}{R_A} = \dfrac{V}{2R_0}.
Since RAR_A is independent of the temperature change ΔT\Delta T, the current IAI_A remains constant.

For circuit (B), the two resistors are connected in parallel.
The equivalent resistance is given by:
RB=R0(1−αΔT)⋅R0(1+αΔT)R0(1−αΔT)+R0(1+αΔT)R_B = \dfrac{R_0(1 - \alpha \Delta T) \cdot R_0(1 + \alpha \Delta T)}{R_0(1 - \alpha \Delta T) + R_0(1 + \alpha \Delta T)}
RB=R02(1−α2ΔT2)2R0=R02(1−α2ΔT2)R_B = \dfrac{R_0^2(1 - \alpha^2 \Delta T^2)}{2R_0} = \dfrac{R_0}{2}(1 - \alpha^2 \Delta T^2)
As the temperature increases, ΔT\Delta T increases, which means the term (1−α2ΔT2)(1 - \alpha^2 \Delta T^2) decreases.
Therefore, the equivalent resistance RBR_B decreases.
The current in circuit (B) is IB=VRBI_B = \dfrac{V}{R_B}.
Since RBR_B decreases with an increase in temperature, the current IBI_B increases.

Thus, IAI_A remains constant while IBI_B increases.

Answer: IAI_A remains constant while IBI_B increases
Practice Current Electricity on Quantrex Academy →

More from Current Electricity

A potentiometer wire of 400\ cm length has a resistance of 20\ Ω . It is connected in… MHT CET Medical 2026In the following figure current I equal to MHT CET Medical 2026The range of voltmeter is 10\ V and its resistance is 50\ Ω . To convert it to a… MHT CET Medical 2026When a galvanometer is shunted with a 2\ Ω resistance, the deflection is reduced to… MHT CET Medical 2026A galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter of certain range by connecting a… MHT CET Medical 2026A resistance is to be measured using a meter bridge; the student chooses the standard… MHT CET Medical 2026Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. In a balanced Wheatstone bridge, if the… MHT CET Medical 2026A potentiometer wire has length 4 m and resistance 8\ Ω . The resistance that must be… MHT CET Medical 2026 Full Current Electricity list All NEET PYQs