Question

The reading of the ammeter (\(A\)) in steady state in the following circuit (assuming negligible internal resistance of the ammeter) is ________ A.

• A. 2
• B. \( \dfrac{1}{2} \)
• C. 0
• D. 1

Hint:

In DC steady state, capacitors act as open circuits.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To find the reading of the ammeter \(A\) in the steady state, we need to consider the behavior of circuits involving inductors or capacitors in DC steady state.

In steady-state DC circuits, inductors behave as short circuits because they resist changes in current. Therefore, if there is any inductor in the circuit, it can be ignored in terms of resistance as it will not affect the current flow through the ammeter at this state.

Let's analyze the given circuit assuming there is an inductor in series with a resistor and the ammeter across a DC voltage source:

1. When the circuit reaches a steady state, the inductor acts as a short circuit. Thus, the total voltage across the circuit is only applied across the resistors.
2. If there is a resistor in parallel with the ammeter and it is bypassed by the short-circuited inductor, then no current will pass through the branch containing the ammeter. Consequently, the ammeter reading will be zero.

To further illustrate this concept: 

Component	Behavior in Steady State
Inductor	Acts as a short circuit
Ammeter	Reads the current through its branch

Therefore, since in steady state the ammeter is bypassed by the short-circuited inductor, the reading on the ammeter is \(0\) A.