9 cells each of emf 3V and internal resistance 1 Ω are connected in 3 rows, each having 3 cells in series. The current flowing in the external resistance of 5 Ω connected across this arrangement of the cells is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 1.5 A
Given:
Each cell: emf = 3 V, internal resistance = 1 Ω
Arrangement: 3 rows, each with 3 cells in series → rows connected in parallel.
For one row:
Total emf of series cells → $E_{row} = 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 \text{ V}$
Total internal resistance of row → $r_{row} = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 \, \Omega$
Now 3 such rows are connected in parallel:
Equivalent emf of parallel rows → $E_{eq} = 9 \, \text{V}$
Equivalent internal resistance → $\frac{1}{r_{eq}} = \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = 1$
∴ $r_{eq} = 1 \, \Omega$
Total circuit resistance:
$R_{total} = R_{ext} + r_{eq} = 5 + 1 = 6 \, \Omega$
Current in external resistance:
$I = \frac{E_{eq}}{R_{total}} = \frac{9}{6} = 1.5 \, \text{A}$
Final Answer:
$I = 1.5 \, \text{A}$