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Question

A cylindrical wire of length \(L\) and radius \(r\) has a resistance \(R\). The resistance of another wire of same material but having four times its length and half its radius will be:

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is
$16R$

The resistance (\(R\)) of a wire depends on its material (resistivity \(\rho\)), length (\(l\)), and cross-sectional area (\(A\)). The formula is:

Resistance Formula Basics

The relationship is given by:

\(R = \rho \frac{l}{A}\)

For a cylindrical wire with radius \(r\), the cross-sectional area is \(A = \pi r^2\). Substituting this, the resistance becomes:

\(R = \rho \frac{l}{\pi r^2}\)

Initial Wire Parameters

We are given:

  • Length = \(L\)
  • Radius = \(r\)
  • Resistance = \(R\)

Using the formula, the initial resistance is:

\(R = \rho \frac{L}{\pi r^2}\)

Calculating New Resistance

For the second wire:

  • Length (\(l_2\)) = \(4L\) (four times the original length)
  • Radius (\(r_2\)) = \(r/2\) (half the original radius)

First, calculate the new cross-sectional area (\(A_2\)):

\(A_2 = \pi r_2^2 = \pi \left(\frac{r}{2}\right)^2 = \pi \frac{r^2}{4}\)

Now, calculate the new resistance (\(R_2\)) using the resistance formula:

\(R_2 = \rho \frac{l_2}{A_2}\)

Substitute the values for \(l_2\) and \(A_2\):

\(R_2 = \rho \frac{4L}{\frac{\pi r^2}{4}}\)

Simplify the expression:

\(R_2 = \rho \frac{4L \times 4}{\pi r^2} = \rho \frac{16L}{\pi r^2}\)

Recognize that \(\rho \frac{L}{\pi r^2}\) is the original resistance \(R\). Therefore:

\(R_2 = 16 \left( \rho \frac{L}{\pi r^2} \right) = 16R\)

The new resistance is \(16R\).

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Similar Questions

  1. The resistance of a metallic wire of length 1m and area of cross-section 1sq.metre having a resistivity is $2 \times 10^{-6}$ ohm - m is:
  2. Resistivity of the wire depends on mainly ________
  3. When a number of resistance are connected in _______, their combined resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance.


Important Questions from Resistance and Resistivity

  1. Which of the following statements are correct about the electrical resistance and resistivity of a wire?

    1. Both quantities depend on the area of cross-section of the wire

    2. Both depend on the temperature

    3. Resistance of the wire is directly proportional to the resistivity of the wire

    4. Resistivity of the wire is directly proportional to the length of the
    wire

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  2. A circular coil of single turn has a resistance of 20 Ω. Which one of the following is the correct value for resistance between the ends of any diameter of the coil?

  3. Let us consider a copper wire having radius r and length l. Let its resistance be R. If the radius of another copper wire is 2r and the length is l/2 then the resistance of this wire will be

  4. If the length of a conductor is doubled, then the resistance of the conductor will be: (other parameters are kept same)

  5. Which factor does NOT affect the resistivity of a material?

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