C. C. H. S.

CLASS-XII

SECTION-A

MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

PRACTICALS

1. Define ampere current.

Ans. Current through a cross-section of conductor is
one ampere, if one coulomb charge flows through
that cross-section in one second.
i.e., l ampere = l coulomb /1 sec
2. What is cell ?
Ans. A cell is a device by which electric energy is
generated due to chemical action take place inside it.
3. What is a battery ?
Ans. A battery is a combination of cells in series
and/or parallel/ or combinations. The emf of battery
is the sum of the e.m.fs. of the cells in series. It is
same in parallel grouping.
4. What is a Primary cell ?
Ans. Cell which directly gives electrical energy from
chemical energy, is called a primary cell. This cannot
be recharged. For exp- Dry cell, Daniel cell,
Leclanche cell.
5. What is a secondary cell ?
Ans. Cell which stores electrical energy as chemical
energy and returns it back as electrical energy, is
called a secondary cell. This can be recharged. For
exp- (i) Lead (Acid) Accumulator (ii) Ni-Fe (Alkali
Accumulator.
6. What is partial polarization of a Leclanche cell and
its effects? How it can be rectified ?
Ans. In Leclanche cell, polarisation is fast but
depolarisation is slow. It makes the cell polarized
after sometime. This is called partial polarisation.
Hydrogen gas bubbles accumulate on positive
electrode and forms an insulating layer over it. It
repels positive ions to come in contact with anode
and slow down/stop reaction. Due to polarisation cell
gives strong current for a short time. If we do not
take current from cell (rest of cell), accumulated
hydrogen gas bubbles escape from anode, the cell
regains its original emf. For this purpose MnO2
depolariser can be used.
7. For what applications, is the Leclanche cell suitable?
Ans. The Leclanche cell is suitable where large
electric current is required for a short time only e.g.,
electric bells, telephones, etc.
8. Which primary cell can be used if a standard cell is
not available ?
Ans. A Daniel cell can be used if a standard cell is
not available.
9. What makes a Daniel cell a substitute for a standard
cell ?
Ans. Daniel cell gives small but steady current for
sufficiently long time. Hence, it becomes a cheap
substitute for a standard cell.
10. Where is a dry cell used ?
Ans. A dry cell is used in portable devices like
torches and transistor radios.
11. What is short circuit of a cell? How does it harm the
cell ?

12.
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14.

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Ans. A cell becomes short-circuited, when its

terminals are directly connected. A large current
flowing from the cell may damage it.
Why is wire in a resistance coil or a resistance box
double folded ?
Ans. It is done to avoid induction effect.
How are the resistances of different values obtained
in a resistance box?
Ans. The resistance values are increased by taking
longer and thinner wire.
What are dimensions of the wire used for providing
infinite resistance ?
Ans. No wire is used for this purpose. Open air gap
provides infinite resistance.
Which material is suitable for construction of
standard resistances for resistance box?
Ans. Materials used are :
(i) Constantan (or Eureka) (Cu 60%, Ni 40%)
(ii) Manganin (Cu 83%, Mn 13%, Ni 4%).
What properties make a material suitable for
standard resistances?
Ans. The suitable properties are :
(i) High specific resistance-lesser length of wire
gives required resistance.
(ii) Low temperature coefficient of resistance-the
resistance does not change appreciably with change
in temperature.
What is a rheostat ?
Ans. It is a variable resistance device and is
commonly used for adjusting the strength of electric
current in an electric circuit. A rheostat can be used
as a potential divider.
How does the slider make contact with the insulated
wire ?
Ans. Due to repeated motion of the slider, insulation
from the wire becomes removed. Slider makes
contact with the wire.
What is a galvanometer ?
Ans. It is an instrument, used for detecting feeble
(very small) currents in an electric circuit.
What is an ammeter ?
Ans. It is a low resistance device, used to measure
large electric current in a circuit. It is used in series
in the circuit. A galvanometer is converted into
ammeter by connecting a shunt in parallel to it.
Resistance of ideal ammeter is zero.
What is a voltmeter ?
Ans. It is a high resistance device, used for
measuring potential difference between two points in
a circuit. It is used in parallel in the circuit. By
connecting a high resistance in series with
galvanometer, it can be converted it into voltmeter.
Resistance of ideal voltmeter is infinity.
What are Ohmic and non-Ohmic resistances ?
Ans. Resistances which obey Ohms law are called
Ohmic resistances. e.g., metals, like (Ag, Cu, etc.)
Resistances which do not obey Ohms law, are called

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C. C. H. S.
CLASS-XII
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MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

non-ohmic resistances. e.g, semiconductor diodes

and transistors.
What is effect of temperature on the resistance of a
conductor and semiconductors?
Ans. The resistance of most of the conductors
increases with increase in temperature. Resistance of
semiconductors (Si, Ge) decreases with increase in
temperature.
How do you conclude that the conductor used in
experiment obeyed Ohms law ?
Ans. It is done by two results :
(i) Ratio of voltmeter reading (V) and corresponding
ammeter reading (I) comes to be constant.
(ii) A graph between V and I comes to be a straight
line.
Why a large current is not allowed to be passed
through the conductor during the experiment ?
Ans. If a large current is passed (or even if a small
current is passed unnecessarily for a long time), the
conductor will become hot and its resistance will
increase. Then the graph will not a straight line.
Why do we use thick connecting wires ?
Ans. Thick connecting wires offer negligible
resistance.
What is a battery eliminator ?
Ans. It is a rectifier. It converts high A.C. voltage
(220 V) into low desired D.C. voltage such as 2V,
4 V,6 V,8 V, 10 V, 12 V. It is a good substitute for a
battery or a cell.
Why, unknown wire whose resistance is to be
determined, is made of alloys such as manganin or
Eureka?
Ans. Unknown resistance wire is made of alloy, but
not of metals, because (i) The resistivity of alloys is
greater than that of metals. (ii) The temperature
coefficient of resistance of alloys id negligible than
that of metals.
What material is chosen for rheostat wire and why ?
Ans. It is constantan, an alloy. Because its resistivity
is high and temperature coefficient of resistance is
quite small.
What is the material of the connecting wires used in
the experiment ?
Ans. Copper. Because of least resistance
Is there any advantage of battery eliminator over
usual source of emf ?
Ans. Main advantage of battery eliminator is that
current can be drawn at desired voltages and it does
not need any charging. It is easy to handle and
maintain.
What is cause of resistance ?
Ans. The collisions of free electrons with the ions or
atoms of conductor during their drift.
What is the length of resistance wire used between
the gap of resistance box marked INFINITE ?
Ans. Infinite marked plug has no wire.
Define resistivity or specific resistance of the
material of conductor.

35.

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40.

41.

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43.

44.
45.

46.

Ans. Resistivity = RA/ l . If l = 1 m, A = 1

m2, then = R, Hence, resistivity is defined as the
resistance of a conductor of unit length and unit
cross sectional area. The unit of resistivity is
ohmmeter (-m). For conductors order of resistivity
is 10-8 -m.
Wiry is constantan used in the bridge wire ?
Ans. (i) The resistivity 49 x 10-8 -m of the
constantan is high. (ii) The temperature coefficient of
resistance () is very small (0.40 x 10-4 ) (0C-1).
How are the coils wound in a post office box or
resistance box ?
Ans. The resistance coil is doubly wound to avoid
electromagnetic induction.
Will the interchange of positions of cell and
galvanometer effect the balance condition of
Wheatstone bridge ?
Ans. No.
When is a Wheatstone bridge most sensitive ?
Ans. The bridge is most sensitive when all the four
resistances P, Q, R and S are of same order of
magnitude.
Why is a metre bridge also called a slide wire
bridge?
Ans. Since a jockey is slided over the wire (during
the experiment), it is also called a slide-wire bridge.
Why the jockey should not be pressed too hard on
the wire when sliding over it ?
Ans. Sliding the jockey with a hard press, will
scratch the wire and make its thickness non-uniform.
Then the resistance per unit length of the wire will
not remain constant.
Why is it advised to keep null point between 45 cm
and 55 cm ?
Ans. It is done to minimise the effect of neglecting
of end resistances in calculation and Wheatstone is
most sensitive when all the four arms have same
order of resistances.
What are end resistances ?
Ans. The resistances of thick copper strips which
keep the two ends of the wire pressed, are called end
resistances.
What is an ideal value of null point and why ?
Ans. Null point at 50 cm is an ideal null point. It
makes P/Q = 1. This ratio is not affected by
neglecting end resistance of equal values at the two
ends.
How can a null point he obtained near 50 cm ?
Ans. It can be done by keeping value of R very near
the value of X.
Why copper strips, used to pressed the ends of wire
are thick ?
Ans. Thick Cu strips have less resistance and
minimise effect of end resistances.
Why should the bridge wire have uniform thickness
and material density throughout ?
Ans. Because only then, the resistance per unit

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C. C. H. S.
CLASS-XII
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MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

length () will be same throughout. Then P = l

and Q = (100 - l ) will be correct.
Why the bridge method for resistance measurement
is better than Ohms Law ?
Ans. It is so because the bridge method is a null
method and more sensitive.
Under what conditions, the metre bridge is most
sensitive (and hence result most accurate) ?
Ans. The bridge is most sensitive when all the four
resistances are of equal value. It brings null point
automatically at 50 cm.
Why the metre bridge is suitable for measuring
moderate resistances ?
Ans. Because, Wheatstone bridge is suitable for
moderate values of resistances. Therefore, meter
bridge is more sensitive for moderate values.
When the sensitivity of the bridge becomes less ?
Ans. Bridge has poor sensitivity when resistances P,
Q, R and S (or X ) are of different order.
Why should current be passed for a short time ?
Ans. Continuous current will cause unnecessary
heating effecting values of resistances used.
What do you understand by the e.m.f. of a cell ?
Ans. Electromotive force i.e., e.m.f. of a cell is the
potential difference across the terminals of the cell
when the cell is in an open circuit i.e., when no
current is drawn from the cell.
What is a potentiometer ?
Ans. It is an instrument used to measure potential
difference or e.m.f. of a cell. It measures potential
difference between any two points of circuit having
electric current.
What is the principle of a potentiometer ?
Ans. It works on the principle that for a constant
current, fall of potential along a uniform wire is
directly proportional to its length.
What is potential gradient ?
Ans. It is the fall of potential per unit length of the
potentiometer wire.
How does the potential gradient vary along the
length of the wire from end P to end Q ?
Ans. Potential gradient is same throughout because
the wire has uniform cross-section material density
and constant current.
What kind of source of e.m.f. should be used as
auxiliary battery ?
Ans. The e.m.f. of the source must be steady. A
freshly charged accumulator or battery eliminator
should be used for this purpose.
What should be the order of magnitude of the e.m.f,
of the auxiliary battery ?
Ans. The e.m.f. of the auxiliary battery should be
slightly greater than the e.m.f. of the individual cells.
(With battery of lesser e.m.f., null point will not be
obtained on the potentiometer wire).
Why do we use a rheostat in the battery circuit ?
Ans. To vary the potential gradient.

60. What purpose is served by varying the potential

gradient ?
Ans. A lower potential gradient gives more length of
wire upto null point. Accuracy becomes more.
61. On what factor does the Potential gradient depend ?
Ans. Potential gradient depends directly on the
strength of the current and resistance per cm of the
wire.
62. What is the preferred material used for making
Potentiometer wires ?
Ans. Manganin. It is characterised by a low
temperature coefficient of resistance and a high
resistivity.
63. Why do we want the material of the potentiometer
wire to have a low temperature coefficient of
resistance ?
Ans. There is invariably some heating of the
potentiometer wire when a current flows through it.
A material with a low temperature coefficient
ensures that its resistance does not change much
because of this heating.
64. Why dont we use a copper wire as a potentiometer
wire ?
Ans. Copper has a low resistivity and hence a copper
wire will have a low resistance. There would then be
no appreciable potential drop across the ends of the
potentiometer wire. Copper, also, has high
temperature coefficient of resistance.
65. Which materials can be used for making
potentiometer wire ?
Ans. The alloys such as manganin, constantan
nichrome, Eureka are used.
66. What do you mean by sensitivity of a potentiometer?
Ans. Sensitivity of a potentiometer is the smallest
potential difference that it can measure. S = 1/K
where e K= Potential gradient, S = sensitivity.
67. Why is a ten-wire potentiometer more sensitive than
a four wire one ?
Ans. The potential gradient, under same conditions,
decreases with an increase in the length of the
potentiometer wire. Hence a 10-wire potentiometer
(having a smaller potential gradient) is more
sensitive than a 4-wire one. S = l /V.
68. How will you know that the apparatus can give a
null Point ?
Ans. The jockey is put at the two ends of the
potentiometer -wire. The deflection in the
galvanometer must be in the opposite directions.
69. What will you conclude if the deflection of the
galvanometer is in same direction at both the ends ?
Ans. The reasons may be
(i) the positive terminals of all the cells are not
connected at one Point.
(ii) Potential difference between ends of the wire is
less than e.m.f. of the cell which is to be measured.
70. How are above situations corrected ?
Ans. (i.) Connections of positive terminals are

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C. C. H. S.
CLASS-XII
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MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

checked.
(ii) Current in potentiometer wire is increased.
Under what conditions galvanometer will give no
deflection when jockey is put on the wire ?
Ans. The reason may be (i) the cell whose e.m.f. is
being measured, is totally damaged to have infinite
internal resistance.
(ii) connecting wire in the
galvanometer circuit may be broken.
Under what conditions deflection in the
galvanometer is shaky ?
Ans. The reason may be
(i) the e.m.f. of the battery or the cells may be
fluctuating.
(ii) the circuit has a loose contact somewhere.
Why should we use a sensitive galvanometer ?
Ans. A sensitive galvanometer will respond to even a
small departure from the exact balance point and will
hence enable us to locate the balance point with
greater precision.
Why do we need a protective series resistance/shunt
along with a sensitive galvanometer ?
Ans. To prevent it from damage from the flow of
excessive currents that may exist when the jockey is
far from the balance point.
Does the use of a series protective resistance/shunt
effect the location of the balance Point ?
Ans. No, however, it makes the galvanometer less
sensitive. We therefore, remove it once we are near
the balance point.
Why do we not want the balance point to be on the
first wire, say ?
Ans. The smaller is the balancing length the greater
is the relative uncertainty in its location.
What is the merit of a potentiometer over a voltmeter
in measurement of e.m.f. of a cell ?
Ans. E.M.F. measured by potentiometer is more
accurate because the cell is in open circuit, giving no
current.
How will you determine specific resistance of
potentiometer wire material?
Ans. We measure V across a known length l of
the wire. We measure diameter D of wire and current
I through it. Then R =

l
D2 /4

= V/I. From

which can be calculated.

79. What do you mean by internal resistance of a cell ?
Ans. It is the resistance offered by the electrolyte
and electrodes to the flow of current.
80. Is there any change in the internal resistance of cell
in open and closed circuit ?
Ans. It remains the same.
81. On what factors does the internal resistance of a cell
depend ?
Ans. Internal resistance of a cell depends upon:
(i) distance between electrodes in electrolyte and is
directly proportional to it.
( ii) facing surface area of the electrodes in

electrolyte and is inversely proportional to it.

(iii) nature of electrolyte and is inversely
proportional to its specific conductivity.
(iv) nature of electrodes materials and decreases with
increase of conductivity.
82. Does the internal resistance depend on the current is
drawn from the cell ?
Ans. Yes, the internal resistance usually increases as
more current is drawn from the cell.
83. Can we find the internal resistance of an accumulator
or secondary cell ?
Ans. No, the internal resistance of an accumulator is
so small (= 0.01 ) that this method cannot be used.
84. Why a cell should not be disturbed during
experiment ?
Ans. Disturbing of the cell may change the factors
(Q- 83 above) on which the internal resistance of the
cell depends.
85. What other measurements can be made by a
potentiometer ?
Ans. A potentiometer can be used for measuring
small thermo e.m.f. It can also be used for
calibrating voltmeter and ammeter.
86. Can you measure e.m.f. by a voltmeter ?
Ans. No. The voltmeter measure the terminal
potential difference of a cell because it draw some
current V = E - Ir, when I 0, then V < E
87. Which voltmeters can be used to measure the e.m.f.
of the cells ?
Ans. Electric voltmeter. Vaccum tube volt meter
(VTVM) afters nearly infinite resistance. So the
current drawn is minimum, nearly zero. These two
voltmeter are act as ideal voltmeter.
88. Is the terminal potential difference (V) and e.m.f. (E)
of a cell different? Explain :
Ans. Yes. (i) When the Cell is discharged (current is
taken) V = E - Ir, (V < E) (ii) When the cell is
charged V = E + Ir, (V > E) (iii) When the I = 0,
or r = 0 or R , then V = E.
89. Does the potentiometer is used to determine the
internal resistance of (i) primary cell (ii) secondary
cell ?
Ans. Potentiometer is used to determine the internal
resistance of primary cell only but not secondary cell
because of very small resistance (0.02 ).
90. What are the factors on which the e.m.f. of a cell
depends ?
Ans. (i) Nature of electrodes, (ii) Nature of
electrolyte, (iii) concentration of electrolyte,
(iv) Temperature of electrolyte.
91. Why is a potentiometer preferred over a voltmeter
for measuring the e.m.f. of cell ?
Ans. A potentiometer draws no current from the cell
whose e.m.f. is to be measured. On the other hand,
the voltmeter always some current. Thus e.m.f.
measured by voltmeter will be slightly less than the
e.m.f. measured by potentiometer. V = E Ir

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C. C. H. S.
CLASS-XII

MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

92. Why do we prefer a potentiometer with a longer

bridge wire ?
Ans. When the bridge wire is longer, the potential
gradient is smaller. Smaller the potential gradient,
more is the sensitivity of potentiometer wire.
A
93. What are the factors on which internal resistance of a
cell depends ?
Ans. (i) Nature of electrodes (ii) Nature of
electrolyte (iii) Concentration of electrolyte
(iv) Temperature of electrolyte (v) Distance between
the electrodes (vi) The area of electrodes immersed
in electrolyte.
94. Can we consider the potentiometer as an ideal
voltmeter ?
Ans. Yes. At null point, the potentiometer does not
draw any current. Hence it measure the e.m.f. The
potentiometer is equivalent to an ideal voltmeter.
V = E Ir , Let I = 0, then V = E
95. What is a galvanometer ?
Ans. It is a device (instrument) used for detecting
feeble electric currents in circuits.
96. What type of galvanometer is available in
laboratories ?
Ans. The laboratory galvanometer is a Weston
galvanometer. It has a pivoted coil.
97. Why the scale of galvanometer has zero in the
middle ?
Ans. A needle at zero in the middle can deflect on
both sides.
98. Do we have positive and negative terminal in a
galvanometer ?
Ans. No, a galvanometer has no positive & negative
terminals. The pointer can deflect on either side.
99. Why the divisions of a galvanometer scale are
equally spaced ?
Ans. Deflection in pointer is proportional to the
current passed. The number of divisions in deflection
will be proportional to the current passed. I
100. Define figure of merit of a galvanometer.
Ans. The quantity of current required to produce a
deflection of one division in the galvanometer is
called figure of merit of the galvanometer. It is
represented by symbol k. Its unit is ampere per
division.
101. Define current sensitivity of a galvanometer.
Ans. The deflection produced in the galvanometer
when a unit current is passed through it, is called
current sensitivity of the galvanometer.
102. How are figure of merit and current sensitivity
related to each other ?
Ans. They are reciprocal, Is 1/k
103. Why is the galvanometer called a moving coil
galvanometer ?
Ans. Because in this galvanometer, the coil moves
(deflects), while the magnet remains fixed.

104. Is there any moving magnet galvanometer ?

Ans. Yes, the tangent galvanometer is called a
moving magnet galvanometer.
105. Why is tangent galvanometer, called a moving
magnet galvanometer ?
Ans. Because in tangent galvanometer, the magnet (a
small pivoted magnetic needle) moves (deflects),
while the coil remains fixed.
106. How do you determine the resistance of a
galvanometer ?
Ans. The resistance of a galvanometer is determined
by half-deflection method.
107. Why is this method called half deflection
method ? Ans. It is so because the deflection is
made half by using a shunt resistance S.
108. Under what conditions, G = S ?
Ans. G = S, only when series resistance R is very
high.
109. Why is an ammeter used in series in a circuit ?
Ans. The whole current to to be measured is passed
through it.
110. What are the required properties of an ammeter ?
Ans. An ammeter must have a very small resistance
(zero, if possible) and a large current carrying
capacity.
111. Why should an ammeter have very small
resistance ? Ans. So that when put in series in
circuit, it should not reduce much the original
current to be measured.
112. Why should an ammeter have a large current
carrying capacity ?
Ans. So that it may measure large currents.
113. Why is a voltmeter used in parallel in a circuit ?
Ans. The potential difference to be measured is
maintained at the terminals of the voltmeter.
114. What are the required properties of a voltmeter ?
Ans. A voltmeter must have a very large resistance
(infinite, if possible) and a very small current
carrying capacity.
115. Why should voltmeter have a very large
resistance ? Ans. So that when put in parallel in
circuit, it should not divert much current from
parallel branch.
116. Why should a voltmeter have a very small current
carrying capacity ?
Ans. So that it may not withdraw much current from
parallel branch of the circuit.
117. Why is a galvanometer not suitable to work as
ammeter ?
Ans. A galvanometer has more resistance and less
current carrying capacity from those required by an
ammeter. For large current, the galvanometer will
damage.
118. How is a galvanometer converted into an
ammeter ? Ans. A galvanometer is converted into
ammeter by connecting a low resistance in parallel
with the galvanometer coil (this parallel low
resistance is called shunt).

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C. C. H. S.
CLASS-XII

MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

119. How the low resistance is parallel (shunt) gives

required properties to the galvanometer ?
Ans. The shunt reduces the overall resistance of the
ammeter (converted galvanometer) and increases its
current-carrying capacity.
120. What is the order of resistance of an ammeter ?
Ans. The ammeter resistance is nearly equal to the
shunt resistance.
121. What do you understand by range of an
ammeter ? Ans. It is the maximum value of the
current which the ammeter can measure.
122. Which has lesser resistance, a (0-1A) range
ammeter or a (0-10 A) range ammeter ?
Ans. Higher the range, lower the resistance.
So (0- 10 A) ammeter has lesser resistance.
123. What is a milli-ammeter ?
Ans. It is an ammeter which measures current in
milli- amperes (mA = 10-3 A).
124. What is a micro-ammeter ?
Ans. It is an ammeter which measures current in
micro amperes (A = 10-6 A)
125. Why is a galvanometer not suitable to work as
voltmeter ?
Ans. A galvanometer has less resistance and more
current carrying capacity from those required by a
voltmeter.
126. How is a galvanometer converted into a voltmeter
? Ans. A galvanometer is converted into a voltmeter
by connecting a high resistance in series with the
galvanometer coil.
127. How the high resistance in series gives required
properties to the galvanometer ?
Ans. The series high resistance increases the overall
resistance of the voltmeter (converted galvanometer)
and decreases its current carrying capacity.
128. What is the order of resistance of a voltmeter ?
Ans. The voltmeter resistance is of the order of
series high resistance (R is in ten thousands, G is in
hundreds).
129. What do you understand by the range of a
voltmeter? Ans. It is the maximum value of the
potential difference which the voltmeter can
measure.
130. Which has more resistance a (0-1 volt) range
voltmeter or a (0-10 volt) range voltmeter ?
Ans. Higher the range, higher the resistance.
A (0-10 V) voltmeter has higher resistance.
131. What is a milli-voltmeter ?
Ans. It is a voltmeter which measures potential
difference in milli-volts (mV = 10-3 V).
132. What is a micro-voltmeter ?
Ans. It is a voltmeter which measures potential
difference in micro-volts (V = 10-6 V).
133. Does ordinary voltmeter have infinite resistance ?
Ans. No.
134. Name a voltmeter which has infinite resistance.
Ans. Electrostatic voltmeter has infinite resistance. It
is also called electrometer.

Ans. An electronic voltmeter, called Vacuum Tube

Volt Meter (VTVM) has nearly infinite resistance. It
makes an accurate measurement of potential
difference. The potentiometer, at null point also acts
as an ideal voltmeter (infinite resistance).
135. What is shunt? State its S.I. unit.
Ans. A small resistance connected in parallel with a
galvanometer is called shunt. Its S.I. unit is Ohm.
136. Can moving coil galvanometer be used to detect
an a.c. in a circuit? Give reason.
Ans. It cannot be used to detect a.c. in a circuit since
it measures the average value of current which is
zero over a cycle.
137. Is the working of MCG affected by the earth
magnetic field ?
Ans. No. The earth magnetic field is very weak as
compared to strong radial magnetic field of
galvanometer.
138. Which has more resistance (a) Ammeter or
voltmeter (b) milliammeter or ammeter (c) milli
voltmeter or voltmeter.
Ans. (a) voltmeter (b) milliammeter (c) voltmeter.
139. What is fluctuating current ?
Ans. A current having changing magnitude (but not
becoming zero) and same direction, is called
fluctuating current.
140. What is unidirectional current ?
Ans. A current having magnitude changing between
maximum and zero and same direction, is called
unidirectional current.
141. Why is the instrument called a sonometer ?
Ans. Sono means sound. Therefore, a sonometer is
an instrument which measures the frequency of
sound.
142. Define root mean square (r.m.s.) or virtual or
effective value of alternating current.
Ans. It is that value of steady current which, when
passed through a given resistor for certain time, shall
produce the same quantity of heat as the given
alternating current shall produce when passed
through same resistor for same time.
143. What is resonance ?
Ans. When the natural frequency of a particle is
equal to the frequency of driving force, then
resonance takes place. The vibrations are called
resonant vibrations.
144. Why does d.c. repel ?
Ans. Main line carrying d.c. has same polarity
(positive or negative) throughout. On touching it, the
body of the person acquires same polarity as that of
the main line. The person touching the line is
repelled.
145. Why does a.c. attract ?
Ans. Main line carrying a.c. has quickly changing
polarity. On touching it, the polarity of the body of
the person also changes. Due to time lag, the body

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MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

polarity remains opposite to that of the main line.

The person touching the line is attracted.
146. Why a.c. is more dangerous than d.c.?
Ans. It is due to following two reasons :
(i) a.c. attracts while d.c. repels.
(ii) a.c. gives a huge and sudden shock which
becomes fatal.
147. Give merits (advantages) of a.c. over d.c.
Ans. a.c. has following merits (advantages) over d.c.
(i) a.c. can be produced and transmitted easily and
cheaply than d.c.
(ii) A 3-phase a.c. Dynamo can produce more energy
than a single phase d.c. Dynamo.of same cost.
(iii) a.c. Dynamo (using slip rings) has less loss of
energy and wear and tear than a d.c. Dymamo (using
split ring commutator).
(iv) a.c. voltage can be transformed to any desired
value with the help of a transformer.
(v) Transmission of a.c. at high voltage and lowvoltage reduces line losses.
(vi) a.c. motors or other a.c. appliances are robust
and easier to operate.
(vii) a.c. can easily be converted into d.c. when
required.
(viii) In a.c. circuits, current can be controlled by a
choke coil without much loss of energy.
148. Give demerits (disadvantages} of a.c. over D.C.
Ans. a.c. has following demerits (disadvantages)
over d.c. : (i) a.c. attracts a person who touches its
line where as d.c. gives a repelling shock.
(ii) a.c. gives a huge and sudden shock which
becomes fatal.
(iii) a.c. is conducted over the surface of a conductor
(shin effect). It increases effective resistance of the
conductor.
(iv) Commercial generators do not produce pure a.c.
(v) In certain applications like electroplating, battery
charging, etc. only d.c. is required.
149. What is skin effect ?
Ans. It is found that in an alternating current, the
tendency of the moving electrons is to drift towards
the surface of the conductor while moving along its
axis. This tendency increases with the frequency of
a.c. In very high frequency a.c. electrons flow only
on the surface of the conductor. This phenomenon
(flow of electron on the surface of the conductor), is
called skin effect.
150. What is an electromagnet ?
Ans. A magnet magnetised by electric current is
called an electromagnet.
151. How is frequency of magnetisation of the
electromagnet related with frequency of the
alternating current which magnetises it ?
Ans. It is twice the frequency of the alternating
current.
152. Why is frequency of magnetisation of
electromagnet double of that of the alternating
current ?
Ans. It is because the

electromagnet is magnetised twice during one cycle

of alternating current.
153. Which material is used to make sonometer wire ?
And Why ?
Ans. Iron. Because it is a ferromagnetic material.
154. What is a tuning fork ?
Ans. A tuning fork is metallic bar bent into U-shape
and having a heavy steps attached to the middle of
the bent portion.
155. What is function of a sounding board ?
Ans. When the vibrating tuning fork is placed on it,
it is set into forced vibrations. Once the area of
vibrating body increases the amplitude of vibration
of the board wire system also increases.
156. What is the function of holes in the sonometer
box ? Ans. To make the inside air in communication
with external air.
157. What is the natural vibrations ?
Ans. When a body is vibrating with its own natural
way then it has natural vibrations. The frequency
with which the body vibrate is called its natural
frequency.
158. What are forced vibrations ?
Ans. When a body is vibrating with frequency of
driving force, other than its natural frequency then it
has forced vibrations.
159. What is the natural frequency of sonometer
wire ? Ans.

f=

1 T
2l

, where T = Tension in

= m/ l = Linear mass
wire,
density, l = length of wire
160. What are stationary waves ?
Ans. When two identical waves of same frequency,
amplitude travelling in a medium with same speed
but in opposite directions superimpose, they produce
stationary waves.
161. What are nodes and antinodes ?
Ans. Nodes are the points of zero amplitude and
antinodes are points of maximum amplitude.
162. Define wavelength for a stationary wave.
Ans. The distance between the centres of two
successive crests or troughs is called the wavelength
of a stationary wave.
163. How does the wire begin to vibrate in this case ?
Ans. When a current carrying wire is placed in
magnetic field then magnetic force act on the wire
which tends to move it in a direction which is
perpendicular to current and field. The current is a.c.,
the force which act on the wire is also oscillating and
hence the wire vibrate.
164. When will the wire resonate ?
Ans. When the frequency of a.c., mains is equal to
the natural frequency of the vibration of the wire.
165. Why does the string of the sonometer vibrate ?
Ans. When the vibrating tuning fork is kept on the
board of the sonometer, the forced vibrations of the

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PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

board communicate energy to the string which in

turn is set into forced vibrations.
10.

SECTION-B

PRACTICALS

1. Define and differentiate between real and virtual

image.
Ans. Real Image- If the reflected (or refracted) rays
actually meet at the point, then the image is real.
Real image of a big object (combination of real
images of different points) is always inverted. It can
be obtained on a screen.
Virtual Image- If the reflected (or refracted) rays
appear to come from the point, then the image is
virtual. Virtual image of a big object (combination of
virtual images of different points) is always erect. It
cannot be obtained on a screen.
2. Define Parallax.
Ans. The relative shift between two objects, at
unequal distance from the eye, when the eye is
moved sideways, is called parallax.
3. Define spherical aberration.
Ans. The defect or drawback of a spherical mirror
due to which it makes a spread image of a point
object, is called spherical aberration.
4. Why is a mirror silvered at the back surface ?
Ans. To avoid spoiling of mirror in rough handling.
5. Is silvering done by depositing silver coating or
some other material ?
Ans. In cheap mirrors silvering is done by deposition
of mercuric oxide and in good quality mirrors
silvering is done by deposition of silver nitrate.
6. What is the radius of curvature of a plane mirror ?
Ans. Infinite. Mirror formula applicable for a plane
Mirror also. Its magnification is 1.
7. Can we find the rough focal length of a convex
mirror ? If not, why ?
Ans. No, we cannot find the rough focal of convex
mirror. It is so because the image formed by a
convex mirror is always virtual and cannot be
obtained on a screen.
8. What type of mirror is used as shaving glass ?
Ans. Convex mirror of large focal length is often
used as shaving glass. Because when a concave
mirror is held near the face, i.e. face lies between its
pole and focus, an erect and enlarged image of the
object is formed. An enlarged image of the face
helps in having a better shave.
9. Why a convex mirror is used as a driving mirror in
automobiles ?
Ans. A convex mirror forms virtual, erect and
diminished image for all positions of an object. As
the image is diminished in size, a wider field of view
behind the automobile is covered. The two

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.
18.

characteristics of the image formed by convex mirror

viz. erect and wider field of view help the driver in
driving the automobile with ease.
Which mirror is used by a surgeon and why ?
Ans. A concave mirror of small aperture is used by a
surgeon to throw a narrow and sharp beam of light
into eyes, nose, ear and throat for medical check up.
What types of mirror are used in search lights and in
headlights of the vehicles ?
Ans. Parabolic mirrors are used as reflectors in head
lights of the vehicles. As the search lights are meant
for throwing light to very large distances. If a source
of light is placed at the principal focus of the
parabolic mirror, after reflection from the mirror a
beam of light can be obtained which will be parallel
to the principal axis of the mirror. Thus, parabolic
mirrors are used in search lights.
Why we do not use concave mirror for search light ?
Ans. Large aperture of concave mirror will cause
spherical aberration. Rays from sources of light, kept
at focus, will not be quite parallel after reflection
from mirror.
How will you distinguish between a plane, a concave
and a convex mirror without touching them ?
Ans. We see our face in the mirror from a close
distance. In all cases virtual images will be formed.
Judge the magnification of the image. If the
magnification is one, mirror is plane. If the
magnification is more than one (enlarged image),
mirror is concave. If the magnification is less than
one (diminished image), mirror is convex.
What is index error ?
Ans. The difference between the actual distance
between the pole of a mirror (optical centre of a lens)
and the point object (or image) and observed
distance measured on optical bench is called index
error. It is also called bench error.
Index error = observed distances - actual distance
Index correction= actual distance - observed distance
What is the value of the radius of curvature and
magnification of a plane mirror ?
Ans. Radius of curvature is infinity and
magnification is one.
How the parallax removed ?
Ans. When two objects which are placed at different
distances from eye, the nearer object moves in a
direction opposite to that eye and the farther one in
the direction of the eye. One their relative positions
are known, they can be brought to the same position
by shifting them suitably. When two objects occupy
the same position in space with respect to the eye,
then the apparent shift disappears and parallax is said
to be removed.
At what distance from the needle should the eye be
placed while removing parallel ?
Ans. 25 cm
What are paraxial and marginal rays ?
Ans. The rays which are very close to the principal

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19.
20.

21.
22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.
28.

MANSAROVAR
PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

axis or subtend a very small angle with principal axis

are called paraxial rays. The rays which are away or
subtended large angle with principal axis are called
marginal rays.
How the spherical aberration is removed ?
Ans. It is removed by taking small portion (aperture)
of a lens or mirror or by using parabolic mirrors.
Which method is more accurate in the determination
of focal length, f for a concave mirror ?
(i) u Vs v, or (ii) 1/u Vs 1/v graphs.
Ans. 1/u Vs 1/v method, because graph in this case
is straight line cutting the axes at two points which u
Vs u graph is curve.
Is chromatic aberration takes place in mirror? Why?
Ans. No. Since it arise due to refraction in which
lens provide dispersion like prism.
Write uses of mirrors.
Ans. Concave mirrors :
(i) used as shaving or making-up mirror
(ii) head mirror by Doctors
(iii) in ophthalmoscope
(iv) as a reflectors in head lights of cars, torch, street
lights etc.
Convex mirrors :
(i) as a rear view mirror in automobiles
(ii) To produce erect image or smaller size.
If a concave mirror is placed in water, then find the
change in its focal length.
Ans. No. Since focal length of a mirror does not
depend the external medium and wavelength of light.
Define power of lens.
Ans. It is the capacity or ability of a lens to deviate
(converge or diverge) the path of rays passing
through it. A lens producing more converging or
more diverging is said to have more power and viceversa.
Define chromatic aberration.
Ans. The defect or drawback of a lens due to which
it makes a coloured image of an object, illuminated
with white light, is called chromatic aberration. It is
due to the dispersion of white light by lens.
Describe the difference between the images formed
by a convex and a concave lens.
Ans. A concave lens always forms a virtual and erect
and diminished. Image formed by a convex lens is
generally real and inverted and on bringing the
object near the lens the size of image goes on
increasing. However, when the object is placed in
front of a convex lens between its optical centre and
principal focus, the image formed is virtual, erect
and magnified.
Can you find rough focal length of a concave lens ?
Ans. No, because it does not form a real image to be
obtained on a screen.
What is the type of the eye lens ?
Ans. The eye lens is convex.

29. What are the practical uses of lenses ?

Ans. Lenses are used in spectacles, microscopes,
telescopes and other optical instruments.
30. How can a convex lens be used as a Magnifier ?
Ans. For this purpose the lens is put very close to the
eye in between the eye and the object to be
magnified.
31. How will you distinguish between a glass slab, a
convex lens and a concave lens without touching it ?
Ans. The glass piece is put over a printed page and
the virtual image of the printed matter is seen. The
magnification of image is judged. If image has same
size as the object, the glass piece is a glass slab. If
the image is magnified, the glass piece is a convex
lens. If the image is diminished, the glass piece is a
concave lens.
32. Define optical centre of a lens.
Ans. It is a fixed point inside the lens on its principal
axis, through which light rays passing undeviated.
33. What is the principal focus of a lens ?
Ans. It is fixed point on the principal axis of a lens
where a beam of light incident parallel to its
principal axis converges or appears to diverge after
passing through the convex lens or concave lens.
34. Define S.I. of power.
Ans. The Dioptre is the S.I. of power. One dipotre is
the power of lens whose focal length is one meter.
35. What are the sign for the power of a convex lens and
concave lens ?
Ans. The power of a convex lens is positive since its
focal length is positive while the power of a concave
lens is negative since its focal length is negative.
36. What are the factors affecting the power of lens ?
Ans. (i) Refractive index of lens material
(ii) Refractive index of surroundings i.e., change of
medium (iii) Radii of curvatures (iv) Wavelength of
light (v) Thickness of lens.
37. How the power of lens charge w.r.t. the two
surrounding medium ?
Ans. The power of a lens is maximum for vacuum or
air and it decrease with increase two refractive index
of medium.
38. How the power of lens charge w.r.t. to wavelength of
light ?
Ans. The power of a lens is different for different
colour of light. The power of a lens is maximum of
violet and minimum for red colour light.
39. Is power depends upon aperature of a lens ?
Ans. No.
40. Under what condition, the nature of lens charge ?
Ans. The refractive index of surrounding medium is
greater than that of material of lens. The convex lens
act as concave lens and vice-versa.
41. Under what condition, a lens does not show the
refraction.
Ans. When refractive index of surrounding medium
is equal to refractive index of material of lens.

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CLASS-XII

PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

42. Why goggles (Sun glasses) have zero power ?

Ans. The surfaces are curved in same direction and
of same radius P =

2
1
1

( ) (

1 1

R R

= 0.

43. What type of lens is an air bubble inside water ?

Ans. Concave lens.
44. Define refractive index.
Ans. It is the property of a transparent medium
which resist the propagation of light in that medium.
45. What is relative refractive index ?
Ans. Relative refractive index of medium 2 w.r.t.
medium 1 is the ratio of the speed of light in medium
1 to the speed of light in medium 2 , so 2 = v1/v2 . It
does not have unit and dimensions.
46. What is absolute refractive index ?
Ans. Absolute refractive index of a medium is the
ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of
light in that medium. = c / v . It does not have unit
and dimensions.
47. Is the absolute refractive can be less than unit ?
Ans. No.
48. What is the power of combination of a convex and
concave lens of the same focal length ?
Ans. Zero.
49. Why is the rough focal length of concave lens not
determine ?
Ans. It makes virtual image for all positions of
objects.
50. How chromatic aberration can be minimized ?
Ans. It can be minimized by taking thin and small
aperture lens.
51. Define a Prism.
Ans. A prism is a piece of transparent material
bounded by three rectangular surfaces forming a
triangle. One surface (which may be opaque or
transparent) is called base. Other two surfaces are
transparent and are called refracting surfaces.
52. Define edge of Prism.
Ans. The line along which the refracting surfaces
meet, is called the edge of the prism.
53. Define angle of Prism.
Ans. The angle between the two refracting surfaces,
is called the angle of prism.
54. Define angle of deviation.
Ans. The angle through which a ray of light turns
from its original path on passing through a prism, is
called angle of deviation.
55. What factors does the angle of deviation depend ?
Ans. The angle of deviation depends upon the
following factors :
(i) The angle of incidence.
(ii) The refracting angle of the prism.
(iii) The material of the prism.
(iv) Colour of the light used i.e., wavelength of light.
56. What is the relation between different angles
involved in refraction through a prism ?
Ans. A = r1 + r2 , A + D = i + e

57. Define angle of minimum deviation.

Ans. The least value of the angle of deviation is
known as the angle of minimum deviation.
58. What is the speciality about minimum deviation ?
Ans. Under minimum deviation condition, light ray
travels inside prism parallel to the base of the prism
and the angle of incidence = angle of emergence
59. Does the angle of minimum deviation depend upon
the colour of light used ?
Ans. Yes. it is different for different colours or
wavelength.
60. Why there are two values of angle of incidence for
one value of angle of deviation ?
Ans. If the emergent ray be reversed, then angle e
becomes i and angle i becomes e. The reversed ray
will have same deviation as before. Hence, i and e
are two different values for same angle of deviation.
61. Which colour will travel (i) fastest (ii) slowest in
prism ?
Ans. (i) Red colour (ii) Violet.
62. Does a beam of white light give a spectrum on
Passing a hollow Prism ?
Ans. No. Dispersion does not occurs in air.
63. Which colour deviate (i) Most (ii) Least.
Ans. (i) Violet (ii) Red.
64. Will all colour of light travel with same speed inside
a prism ?
Ans. No. Red colour travel fastest and violet colour
travel smallest.
65. Which colours have highest and smallest refractive
index ? Why ?
Ans. Refractive index is smallest for red colour and
that is highest for violet colour.
Refractive index l/wave length
66. What is Cauchy relation ?
Ans. It is the relation between refractive index of a
transparent medium and colour of light.
= A+

B C
+ +
2 4

67. Can X-rays be dispersed ?

Ans. Yes.
68. What is angular deviation ?
Ans. Angle between the emergent rays of any two
colours is called angular dispersion of those colours.
69. On what factors angular deviation depends ?
Ans. (i) Angle of prism (ii) refractive index
70. What is dispersive power of prism ?
Ans. It is define as the ratio of the angular dispersion
for these two colours to the mean deviation produced
by the Prism.
71. What is factors on which dispersive power depends ?
Ans. It depends upon refractive index of the material
of prism.
72. Define a slab.
Ans. A slab is a piece of transparent material with
rectangular faces. All faces are transparent and
opposite faces are parallel.

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PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

73. Define thickness of a slab.

Ans. The dimension along which the light travels
inside the slab, is called its thickness.
74. Define lateral displacement.
Ans. Sideway displacement of parallel emergent ray
from incident ray is called lateral displacement.
75. Why a slab does not deviate and disperse light,
whereas a Prism does ?
Ans. In a slab, the refracting faces are parallel. The
emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray. There is
no deviation and dispersion. In a prism, the
refracting faces are not parallel. The emergent ray is
not parallel to incident ray. There is a deviation and
hence dispersion.
76. Why lycopodium power is spread over the glass
surface ?
Ans. To focus the microscope accurately, otherwise
the bottom surface will be focused because of
transparency of glass slab.
77. What is normal shift ?
Ans. It is the difference between actual depth and
apparent depth. Its S.I. unit is metre.
78. What is cause of normal shift ?
Ans. Due to refraction of light.
79. On what factors, apparent depth depends ?
Ans. (i) nature of medium (R.I.) (ii) thickness of
medium (actual depth) (iii) colour of light.
80. In general for which colour we take the refractive
index of a material in lens and glass slabs.
Ans. Yellow colour. Since it is the mean colour of
visible spectrum.
81. What may be refractive index for hollow glass slab ?
Ans. = 1
82. Define energy level in an atom.
Ans. Definite energy value of an electron in the
subshell of the atom, is called energy level of the
atom.
83. Define energy band in a crystal.
Ans. Broadened energy level (line) in a crystal, is
called energy band of the crystal.
84. Define different energy bands.
Ans. (i) Conduction band. It is top most partially
filled band (ii) Valence band. It is lower most
completely filled band. (iii) Forbidden band. It
separates valence band from conduction band. This
band called energy gap.
85. Distinguish between a conductor, an insulator and a
semiconductor.
Ans. Conductor- Conduction and valence band
overlap. Insulator- Conduction and valence band
separated by broad forbidden band. Eg < 3 eV.
Semiconductor. Conduction and valence band
separated by narrow forbidden band. Eg > 3 eV.
86. How are electrical conductivity and resistivity
related ?
Ans. Electrical conductivity is reciprocal of
resistivity.

87. What is S.I. unit of conductance ?

Ans. S.I. unit of conductance is siemen (S).
88. What is order of conductivity of conductors, semiconductors and insulators ?
Ans. The order is 108 , 10 and 10-15 S/m respectively.
89. Define a hole.
Ans. A place vacated by an electron, is called a hole.
It is associated with a positive charge.
90. Define an intrinsic semiconductor.
Ans. A pure semiconductor material, is called an
intrinsic semiconductor. nh = ne.
91. Which materials are commonly used as semiconductors ?
Ans. Silicon and germanium are commonly used as
semi-conductors.
92. Which of the upper two materials has less energy
gap ?
Ans. Energy gap has value 0.75 eV for germanium
and 1.12 eV for silicon.
93. Define an extrinsic semiconductor.
Ans. A semiconductor material made deliberately
impure, is called an extrinsic semiconductor.
94. Describe an n-tye semiconductor (Ge).
Ans. An n-type Ge is obtained by adding a small
quantity (one millionth part) of a pentavalent
impurity to its crystal. The pentavalent impurities are
Phosphorus (15), Arsenic (33), Antimony (51),
Bismuth (83). Generally Arsenic (As) is taken for
this purpose.
95. Describe a p-type semiconductor (Ge).
Ans. A p-type Ge is obtained by adding a small
quantity (one millionth part) of a trivalent impurity
to its crystal. The trivalent impurities are Boron (5),
Aluminium (13), Gallium (31), Indium (49),
Thalium (81). Generally Indium (In) is taken for this
purpose.
96. What is doping ?
Ans. The process of adding an impurity deliberately,
is called doping.
97. What is order of doping in an extrinsic semiconductor ?
Ans. It is one part in one million.
98. Why is n-type semiconductor so called ?
Ans. Because it contains free electrons with negative
charge, as charge carriers.
99. Why is p-type semiconductor so called ?
Ans. Because it contains holes with positive charge,
as charge carriers.
100. What is a junction ?
Ans. It is a common surface of n-type and p-type
semiconductor.
101. What is a depletion layer ?
Ans. It is a layer around the junction in the middle,
having no free charge carriers. The opposite charge
carriers have become neutralized.
102. What is junction potential barrier ?
Ans. The potential difference between junction ends

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PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

of the two types of semiconductors, is called

junction potential barrier.
103. Why is junction potential barrier so called ?
Ans. Because it prevents free charge carriers from
entering the depletion layer by themselves.
104. What is biasing of a junction ?
Ans. Applying an external potential difference on the
faces of the junction, is called biasing of the
junction.
105. Give names of the two types of the biasing.
Ans. The two types of biasing are : (i) forward
biasing (ii) reverse biasing.
106. Why is forward bias so called ?
Ans. Because it makes free charge carriers to move
forward towards junction.
107. Why is reverse bias so called ?
Ans. Because it makes free charge carriers to move
reverse away from junction.
108. How does the bias effect the thickness of the
depletion layer ?
Ans. Forward bias decreases the thickness of
depletion layer. Reverse bias increases the thickness
of depletion layer.
109. How does the bias effect the junction resistance ?
Ans. The forward bias makes junction resistance
less, only 10 to 80 . The reverse bias makes
junction resistance more, it becomes upto 10,000 .
110. Define characteristic of a junction diode.
Ans. Graph drawn between bias voltage and circuit
current of a junction diode, is called characteristic of
the diode. It reveals the character (way of behaviour)
of the junction diode.
111. Describe different types of characteristics of a
junction diode.
Ans. (i) Forward bias characteristic. It is obtained by
plotting a graph between forward bias voltage and
circuit current. Junction resistance comes to be about
10 ohm. (ii) Reverse bias characteristic- It is
obtained by plotting a graph between reverse bias
voltage and circuit current. Junction resistance
comes to be about 10,000 ohm.
112. What is reverse current ?
Ans. The current due to reverse bias voltage, is
called reverse current.
113. What constitutes the reverse current ?
Ans. The reverse current is due to minority carriers.
114. What are minority carriers ?
Ans. Free electrons in p-type semiconductor and
holes in n-type semiconductor, are called minority
carriers. They are present due to breaking of covalent
bonds.
115. What is reverse breakdown ?
Ans. At certain stage of increased reverse bias
voltage, the reverse current increases suddenly. This
situation is called reverse breakdown. This
phenomenon is called Zener effect.

116. What causes reverse breakdown ?

Ans. The rupture of all covalent bonds causes
reverse breakdown.
117. Is the reverse breakdown recoverable ?
Ans. Yes. The decrease of reverse bias voltage
restores the condition. The broken bonds are
reassembled.
118. What is reverse breakdown voltage ?
Ans. The reverse bias voltage which causes
breakdown, is called reverse break down voltage. It
is represented by the symbol VR.
119. On which factor does the reverse breakdown
voltage depend ?
Ans. It depends upon the level of doping of n-type
and p-type section of the diode. General purpose
diodes have each section lightly doped. They have
high value of reverse breakdown voltage. Zener
diodes have each section heavily doped. They have
low value of reverse breakdown voltage.
120. What is Zener voltage ?
Ans. The reverse breakdown voltage of Zener
diodes, is called Zener voltage. It is represented by
the symbol VZ.
121. How does Zener voltage differ for Germanium
and Silicon ?
Ans. For same order of doping, it is less for
Germanium and more for silicon.
122. What is Zener current ?
Ans. The reverse current after breakdown, is called
Zener current. It is represented by the symbol I Z.
123. How does Zener-diode work as a voltage
regulator ? Ans. At breakdown and after, output
voltage (V0) becomes constant at value of Zener
voltage (VZ) even when input voltage (Vi) increases.
Thus, Zener diode will give same output voltage for
all input voltage of higher values. The current drawn
does not effect zener voltage. It becomes a voltage
stabilizer for voltage equal in value of Zener voltage
(VZ).
124. What is the Knee voltage ?
Ans. The forward voltage beyond which the current
starts to increase rapidly with voltage is called the
cut-in or Knee voltage of the diode.
125. What happens to the potential barrier and
depletion layer when a reverse bias is applied to a pn junction diode ?
Ans. Both increases.
126. What is fermi level ?
Ans. It is the highest energy level in the conduction
band occupied by the electrons at the absolute zero
of temperature.
127. What is Zener breakdown ?
Ans. Due to small junction width, the junction field
is high. Due to this internal high field, there is large
production of electron-hole pairs. The corresponding
breakdown is called breakdown.
128. What is Zener diode ?
Ans. It is specially designed p-n diode whose both

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PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

sides are heavily doped and work only in the reverse

breakdown region and used as an voltage regulator.
129. Give one application of a diode.
Ans. Rectifier.
130. What is ideal diode ?
Ans. It is a diode which offers zero resistance in
forward biasing and infinite resistance in reverse
biasing.
131. How the energy gap change with (i) doping
(ii) temperature.
Ans. Decrease with increase in doping and
temperature.
132. What is a semi-conductor junction triode or
transistor ?
Ans. It is a semi-conductor device having three
sections which are (i) emitter (E), (ii) base (B) and
collector (C).
133. How are the three sections arranged in a
transistor ? Ans. The base is a thin layer of one type
extrinsic semi-conductor between two other sections
of second type extrinsic semiconductors on either
side of it.
134. Compare the three sections of a transistor.
Ans. Base section is thin and lightly doped. The
collector and emitter are thick and heavily doped.
Collector is larger in size than emitter. Emitter has
largest doping.
135. What is the order of thickness of base section and
what is reason for it ?
Ans. The base thickness is of the order of 10 micron
(10-5 m). The small thickness allows the
recombination of only 2 to 5 percent of charge
carriers during their passage through it.
136. In how many ways a transistor can be used ?
Ans. A transistor can be used in three ways:
(i) common base circuit (ii) common emitter circuit
and (iii) common collector circuit.
137. How are the two junctions used ?
Ans. One junction is used as input junction and the
other as output junction.
138. How are the two junction biased ?
Ans. Generally, input junction is forward biased to
offer less resistance and output junction is reverse
biased to offer more resistance. Reverse is also
possible.
139. Why is the semi-conductor junction triode called
a transistor ?
Ans. It can be used to transform a low resistance of a
forward-biased junction into a high resistance of a
reverse-biased junction or vice-versa. Thus, it works
as a transformer of resistor, which has been
shortened to transistor.
140. What is current gain of a common base
transistor ? Ans. It is the ratio of change in collector
current to the corresponding change in emitter

current. It is represented by the symbol . So =

Ic
Ie

. It is about 0.98.

141. What is current gain of a common emitter

transistor? Ans. It is the ratio of change in collector
current to the corresponding change in base current.
It is represented by the symbol . So =

Ic
Ib

It is about 49.
142. What makes so such more than ?
Ans. In a transistor, Ie = Ic + Ib Here Ic = 0.98 Ie ,
Ib = 0.02 Ie . It makes Ib = 0.02 Ie or

Ie
Ic
= 50
Since =
and
Ib
Ib
Ic
=
. becomes 50 times more than .
Ie
143. What is the order of magnitude of emitter current
and base current ?
Ans. Emitter current has magnitude upto 50 mA.
Base current has magnitude upto 100 A.
144. Why a common emitter circuit is preferred over a
common base current in amplifiers ?
Ans. It is due to large current gain from common
emitter circuit.
145. What is resistance gain of a transistor ?
Ans. The ratio of load resistance (RL) used in output
circuit to the input resistance (Ri) of input junction,
is called resistance gain of a transistor. Since load
resistance used has value equal to output resistance
(R,) of output junction, the resistance gain is
measured as Ro/Ri.
146. What is input characteristic of a common emitter
transistor ?
Ans. A graph between base voltage (Vb) and base
current (Ib) for fixed value of collector voltage (Vc),
is called the input characteristic of the common
emitter transistor.
147. What is the importance of the input
characteristic ? Ans. It helps in calculating input
resistance of the transistor. By definition , Ri =

Vb
Ib

. It is equal to the reciprocal of the slope of

the input characteristic and can be found.

148. What is output characteristic of a common
emitter transistor ?
Ans. A graph between collector voltage (Vc) and
collector current (Ic) for a fixed value of base current
(Ib), is called the output characteristic of the common
emitter transistor.
149. What is importance of the output characteristic ?
Ans. It helps in calculating output resistance of the
transistor. By definition , Ro =

Vc
Ic

. It is equal

to the reciprocal of the slope of the output

characteristic and can be found.

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PHYSICS PRACTICALS VIVA QUESTIONS

150. How to determine current gain of a common

emitter transistor ?
Ans. A graph can be plotted between base current
(Ib) and collector current (Ic) taking Ib , along X-axis
and Ic alongY-axis. The slope of this graph

low as compared the output sector. In a spoiled

transistor, the resistance is low for both sections .

Ic
Ib

will give current gain () of the common emitter

transistor.
151. How do we calculate resistance gain ?
Ans. We find input resistance Ri from input
characteristics and output resistance R o from output
characteristics. The ratio Ro / Ri gives resistance
gain.
152. How do we calculate voltage gain ?
Ans. Voltage gain is calculated by multiplying
current gain by resistance gain.
153. Write the three application of a transistor.
Ans. (i) Amplifier (ii) Switch (iii) Oscillator.
154. Define the transconductance of a transistor.
Ans. It is the ratio of change in collector current to
the change in base-emitter voltage. It is denoted by
gm .

gm =

Ic
V BE

155. How does the collector current changes in a

junction transistor of the base region has
(i) large size (ii) large doping.
Ans. The collector current shall decrease in both
cases.
156. Why a common emitter transistor amplifier is
preferred over a common base transistor amplifier ?
Ans. Because the current gain in CE mode is much
larger than CB mode.
157. Can two p-n junction diodes placed back to back
work as a p-n-p transistor ?
Ans. No. In this device, the base region will be quite
thick and highly doped. The base current will
become equal to emitter due to neutralisation of
majority carriers coming from emitter to collector.
158. Why is the base region of a transistor made thin
and lightly doped.
Ans. It is to reduce the base current and to increases
both collector current and current gain.
159. Why a transistor cannot be used as a rectifier ?
Ans. To use a transistor as a rectifier, either its
emitter-base portion or collector base portion has to
be used. As the base is thin and lightly doped, then it
will not work as a p-n junction.
160. Which one of the transistors p-n-p and n-p-n is
more useful and why ?
Ans. n-p-n transistor is better than p-n-p transistor. It
is because that electrons are majority carrier in n-pn, transistor while holes are majority carrier in p-n-p
transistor. The mobility of electrons is much larger
than that of holes due to small mass.
161. How would you test in a simple way whether the
transistor is spoiled or in working order ?
Ans. The resistance of input section of a transistor is

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pg. 15