What should be the voltage across the resistance R?

Answer
299.7k+ views
Hint: To solve this question we have to first find the Kirchhoff’s rules of current which states current entering is equal to current leaving. After that, we can use the concept of emf and use the internal resistance of the cell to find the potential drop in the path. With this, we can easily find the voltage across the resistance R.
Formulae used:
$I = {I_1} + {I_2}$
Where $I$ is the total current which is entering, ${I_1}$ is the current across 1st path and ${I_2}$ is the current across 2nd path.
$I = \dfrac{{E - V}}{r}$
Where $I$ is current, $E$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and $r$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
Complete step by step answer:
According to Kirchhoff’s law of current, the current entering at point A should be equal to the current leaving at B. So,
$ \Rightarrow I = {I_1} + {I_2}$
Here ${I_1}$ is the current in the path AB upper
And ${I_2}$ is the current in the path AB lower
And $I$ is the current entering through point A

We know that
$I = \dfrac{{E - V}}{r}$
So ${I_1} = \dfrac{{{E_1} - V}}{{{r_1}}}$
Where ${I_1}$ is the current in the upper AB path, ${E_1}$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and ${r_1}$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
$ \Rightarrow {I_1} = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
Similarly
${I_2} = \dfrac{{{E_2} - V}}{{{r_2}}}$
Where ${I_2}$ is the current in the upper AB path, ${E_2}$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and ${r_2}$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
$ \Rightarrow {I_2} = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
From Kirchhoff’s law of current ,
$I = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2} + \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
$ \Rightarrow I = 5 - V$
$ \Rightarrow V = 5 - I$
So the required answer is $5 - I$ volts.
Additional information:
Kirchhoff’s law for current conservation and energy conservation is used very commonly to solve questions related to electrical circuits. It can make the calculation of current and voltage in complex cells easy but it works under the assumption that there is no fluctuating magnetic field in the closed-loop. Electric fields and emf could be induced which causes Kirchhoff’s loop rule to break in presence of a variable magnetic field.
Note: Always remember to take care of the direction of current flow. Also, the value of the emf of the cell is important. We should always carefully see if the positive sides i.e., anode, and negative side i.e., cathode are in the same direction or not.
Formulae used:
$I = {I_1} + {I_2}$
Where $I$ is the total current which is entering, ${I_1}$ is the current across 1st path and ${I_2}$ is the current across 2nd path.
$I = \dfrac{{E - V}}{r}$
Where $I$ is current, $E$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and $r$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
Complete step by step answer:
According to Kirchhoff’s law of current, the current entering at point A should be equal to the current leaving at B. So,
$ \Rightarrow I = {I_1} + {I_2}$
Here ${I_1}$ is the current in the path AB upper
And ${I_2}$ is the current in the path AB lower
And $I$ is the current entering through point A

We know that
$I = \dfrac{{E - V}}{r}$
So ${I_1} = \dfrac{{{E_1} - V}}{{{r_1}}}$
Where ${I_1}$ is the current in the upper AB path, ${E_1}$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and ${r_1}$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
$ \Rightarrow {I_1} = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
Similarly
${I_2} = \dfrac{{{E_2} - V}}{{{r_2}}}$
Where ${I_2}$ is the current in the upper AB path, ${E_2}$ is the Electromotive force (EMF) of the cell, $V$ is the potential drop and ${r_2}$ is the internal resistance of the cell.
$ \Rightarrow {I_2} = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
From Kirchhoff’s law of current ,
$I = \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2} + \dfrac{{5 - V}}{2}$
$ \Rightarrow I = 5 - V$
$ \Rightarrow V = 5 - I$
So the required answer is $5 - I$ volts.
Additional information:
Kirchhoff’s law for current conservation and energy conservation is used very commonly to solve questions related to electrical circuits. It can make the calculation of current and voltage in complex cells easy but it works under the assumption that there is no fluctuating magnetic field in the closed-loop. Electric fields and emf could be induced which causes Kirchhoff’s loop rule to break in presence of a variable magnetic field.
Note: Always remember to take care of the direction of current flow. Also, the value of the emf of the cell is important. We should always carefully see if the positive sides i.e., anode, and negative side i.e., cathode are in the same direction or not.
Recently Updated Pages
If the magnetizing field on a ferromagnetic material class 12 physics JEE_Main

A point charge is placed at the corner of a cube The class 12 physics JEE_Main

What changes occur if the monochromatic light used class 12 physics JEE_Main

The unit of specific conductance is A Ohm B Ohmmetre class 12 physics JEE_Main

Which lens is used in magnifying glass A Concave lens class 12 physics JEE_Main

Sir C V Raman won the Nobel Prize in which year A 1928 class 12 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026: Download SET-wise PDF with Answer Key & Analysis

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Effective Nuclear Charge for JEE

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

Isoelectronic Species: Definition, Examples & Importance

