JEE Advanced2022Paper 2PHY-I
Q.
Two resistances and are connected to a wire of uniform resistivity, as shown in the figure. The radius of the wire varies linearly along its axis from 0.2 mm at to 1 mm at . A galvanometer () connected to the center of the wire, 50 cm from each end along its axis, shows zero deflection when and are connected to a battery. The value of is _______.

Correct answer: 5
Solution


For a frustum of a wire with end radii and and length , the resistance is .
Since the radius varies linearly from 0.2 mm at to 1 mm at , the radius at the midpoint (50 cm from each end) is mm.
Resistance of the left half (radii 0.2 and 0.6 mm, length 0.5 m): .
Resistance of the right half (radii 0.6 and 1 mm, length 0.5 m): .
Wheatstone balance condition gives , hence .
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