A laboratory power supply provides a constant potential difference of

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Current Electricity · Current Electricity

Problem

A laboratory power supply provides a constant potential difference of 12.0 V12.0\,\text{V}. Three interchangeable sample cells can be inserted into a simple series circuit that also contains an ideal ammeter and a warning lamp that lights when the current exceeds 0.20 A0.20\,\text{A}. The three sealed sample cells are described below. Each cell has identical internal dimensions (path length = 4.0 cm4.0\,\text{cm}, cross-sectional area = 1.5 cm21.5\,\text{cm}^2) and stainless-steel electrodes. • Cell X is packed with a cylindrical rod of pure aluminum. • Cell Y is packed with a cylindrical pellet of solid lithium fluoride. • Cell Z is filled with molten lithium fluoride at 900 ∘C900\,^\circ\text{C}. Measured resistances for the three cells at the operating temperature are given in the table.
CellMeasured resistance (Ω\Omega)
X0.450.45
Y4.8×1054.8 \times 10^5
Z7.57.5
(a) Calculate the current that flows when Cell X is inserted into the circuit. (b) Calculate the current when Cell Y is inserted. (c) Calculate the current when Cell Z is inserted. (d) For which of the three cells will the warning lamp turn on? Justify your answer by referring to your calculations and the nature of mobile charge carriers in each sample.

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