Question:medium

Two conductors A and B are made of the same material and have the same length. Conductor A is a solid wire of diameter \(d_1\), and conductor B is a hollow tube of outer diameter 2.0 mm and inner diameter 1.0 mm. The resistances of the conductors A and B are \(R_1\) and \(R_2\) respectively. If \(\frac{R_1}{R_2} = 3\), then \(d_1\) is:

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For comparing resistances of solid and hollow wires of same length and material, use \(R = \rho L / A\) and calculate the effective cross-sectional area.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
  • 1.0 mm
  • 1.5 mm
  • 0.75 mm
  • 2.0 mm
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Replace the hollow tube with an equivalent solid wire of the same cross-section area.
Because resistance depends on area only through $R = \rho L/A$, a hollow tube behaves exactly like a solid wire whose area matches the tube's ring-shaped area. If $d_{eq}$ is the diameter of that equivalent solid wire, then $d_{eq}^2 = d_{outer}^2 - d_{inner}^2$, since area scales as diameter squared and the ring's area is the outer disc's area minus the inner disc's area.

Step 2: Compute this equivalent diameter for tube B.
\[ d_{eq}^2 = (2.0)^2 - (1.0)^2 = 4 - 1 = 3\ \text{mm}^2 \] So $d_{eq} = \sqrt{3}$ mm.

Step 3: Compare two solid wires (A and B's equivalent) of the same material and length.
\[ \frac{R_1}{R_2} = \left(\frac{d_{eq}}{d_1}\right)^2 \]
Step 4: Substitute the given ratio.
\[ 3 = \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{d_1}\right)^2 = \frac{3}{d_1^2} \]
Step 5: Solve for $d_1$.
\[ d_1^2 = 1 \quad\Rightarrow\quad d_1 = 1.0\ \text{mm} \]
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{1.0\ \text{mm}} \]
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