The equivalent emf of the combination of number of cells will be maximum when they are connected in:

CONCEPT:

Cell:

• The cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
• Cells are of two types:
  1. Primary cell: This type of cell cannot be recharged.
  2. Secondary cell: This type of cell can be recharged.
• For a cell of emf E and internal resistance r,

⇒ E - V = Ir

Where I = current, and V = potential difference across external resistance

Cells in series:

• If the number of cells are connected end to end that the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the succeeding cell then it is called a series arrangement of cells.
• The equivalent emf of cells in series arrangement is given as,

⇒ Eeq = E1 + E2 +...+ En

• The equivalent internal resistance of cells in a series arrangement is given as,

⇒ req = r1 + r2 +...+ rn

Cells in parallel:

• If the number of cells is connected such that the positive terminals are connected together at one point and the negative terminals of these cells are connected together at another point then it is called a parallel arrangement of cells.
• The equivalent emf of cells in a parallel arrangement is given as,

\(⇒ E_{eq}=\frac{E_1/r_1+E_2/r_2+E_3/r_3+...+E_n/r_n}{1/r_1+1/r_2+1/r_3+...+1/r_n}\)

• The equivalent internal resistance of cells in a parallel arrangement is given as,

\(⇒ \frac{1}{r_{eq}}=\frac{1}{r_1}+\frac{1}{r_2}+\frac{1}{r_3}+...+\frac{1}{r_n}\)

EXPLANATION:

• We know that the equivalent emf of cells in a series arrangement is given as,

⇒ Eeq = E1 + E2 +...+ En       ----(1)

• We know that the equivalent emf of cells in a parallel arrangement is given as,

\(⇒ E_{eq}=\frac{E_1/r_1+E_2/r_2+E_3/r_3+...+E_n/r_n}{1/r_1+1/r_2+1/r_3+...+1/r_n}\)       ----(2)

• Bu equation 1 and equation 2, it is clear that the equivalent emf will be more in a series arrangement. Hence, option 1 is correct.