Circuits: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.5.1.4 Circuits, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 155 questions on Circuits, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): Figure 6 shows an array of 20 of these cells connected to form a module. Figure 6 Calculate the internal resistance of the module shown in Figure 6. [2 marks] i
June 2025, Paper 1, Q28 (1 mark): In a circuit, the resistance of resistor R1 is double the resistance of resistor R2. The internal resistance of the battery is negligible. When the switch is op
June 2025, Paper 3A, Q02.5 (3 marks): The student has access to a range of fixed and variable resistors. The student wants to modify the circuit in Figure 3 so that T can be varied continuously from
June 2025, Paper 3A, Q03.2 (2 marks): Explain how the ammeter and voltmeter readings are used to determine values of P and T. [2 marks] P T
June 2025, Paper 3A, Q03.3 (3 marks): Complete Table 2. [3 marks] Table 2 T / K P / W P1 / W P2 / W 960 3.7 1.2 2.5 1100 2.0 3.0 1370 1680 16.2 11.0
June 2025, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (5 marks): It can be shown that P1∝T n where n is an integer. Determine n. In your answer you should: • use Table 3 to organise the data you will plot • plot a suitable gr
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q06.2 (3 marks): Figure 10 shows thermistor T in series with a fixed resistor R and a battery. The variation of V with I shown in Figure 9 applies to T in this circuit. Figure 1
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (2 marks): Determine the resistance of X when it operates at a power of 65 W. [2 marks] resistance of X = Ω
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (4 marks): The diameter of the filament of X decreases during use. This changes the resistance of X. The resistance of Y does not change. The emf and the internal resistan
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): The diagram shows the currents in a set of wires. What is the current in wire W? [1 mark] A 1 A B 2 A C 5 A D 7 A
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q30 (1 mark): A cell of negligible internal resistance is connected in parallel to a 20 Ω resistor and a resistor R. The emf of the cell is 6.0 V. The current in the cell is
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q33 (1 mark): A battery with negligible internal resistance is connected to a resistor of resistance 2.0 kΩ. The current in the battery is 6.0 mA. A non-ideal voltmeter is th
June 2024, Paper 1, Q06.1 (2 marks): Calculate the resistance of the variable resistor. [2 marks] resistance = Ω
June 2024, Paper 1, Q06.4 (2 marks): Explain how ammeters and voltmeters can be used in the circuit in Figure 5 to demonstrate the conservation of charge and the conservation of energy. Refer to po
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): Calculate the power dissipated in L1 when I is 1.9 A. [2 marks] power dissipated = W Question 5 continues on page 21
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q05.3 (2 marks): The variable resistor R in Figure 12 is adjusted until I is 1.5 A and V is 3.3 V. Calculate the resistance of R. [2 marks] resistance of R = Ω
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q05.4 (3 marks): Figure 15 shows a second lamp L2, identical to L1, connected to the circuit. Figure 15 R is adjusted so that the potential difference across L1 is again 3.3 V.
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): A current of 4.0 A in a resistor produces a power of 8.0 W. What is the potential difference across this resistor when the power is 32 W? [1 mark] A 2.0 V B 4.0
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): A circuit contains a battery and three identical resistors RX, RY and RZ. What is X Y power in R power in R ? [1 mark] A 0.25 B 0.5 C 2 D 4
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): The electric motor of a lift raises a load of 750 N at a constant speed. The load moves through a vertical distance of 3.0 m in 1.5 s. As the load is being rais
June 2023, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): A box with four terminals is connected to a cell and two ammeters. The top left terminal is X. Each of the boxes A to D is connected into the circuit in turn. A
June 2023, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): A resistor dissipates 100 W when connected across a 25 V supply with negligible internal resistance. The supply output is reduced to 20 V and the resistor is re
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q02.4 (3 marks): Complete Table 2. [3 marks]
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q02.5 (3 marks): Plot on Figure 6 a graph of P against V. You should use only the data in your completed Table 2. [3 marks] Figure 6
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q02.6 (2 marks): L is connected to a 12 V power supply of negligible internal resistance. L then dissipates its rated power Pr . A second lamp, identical to L, is now connected
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q06.3 (3 marks): Determine the power output of one LED when the torch is on. [3 marks] power output = W
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): A cell with negligible internal resistance is connected to two resistors of resistance 4R and R. The currents I1, I2 and I3 in the circuit are shown. Which equa
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): A circuit contains a thermistor and a resistor in parallel. The internal resistance of the cell is negligible. The temperature of the thermistor is increased. T
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): X, Y and Z are three networks of resistors. Which gives the networks in order of largest total resistance to smallest total resistance? [1 mark] A X, Y, Z B Y,
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q28 (1 mark): Which row shows the resistance of an ideal ammeter and of an ideal voltmeter? [1 mark] Resistance of ammeter Resistance of voltmeter A zero zero B zero infinite
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): The diagram shows a circuit containing three resistors X, Y and Z. X and Y each have resistance R. Z has resistance 2R. What is power in ? power in X Z [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q04.1 (1 mark): Show that the resistance of the 6.2 V, 4.5 W lamp at its working potential difference (pd) is about 9 Ω. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q04.4 (2 marks): Figure 8 shows the 5.0 m length of wire wrapped around a tube to make the variable resistor. Figure 8 Two plugs connect the variable resistor into the circuit.
June 2022, Paper 1, Q04.5 (2 marks): The student now makes a different circuit by connecting the variable resistor in parallel with the lamp. The contact is returned to its original position on the
June 2022, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): Which value of resistance cannot be made by combining three 10 Ω resistors? [1 mark] A 3.3 Ω B 6.7 Ω C 15 Ω D 25 Ω
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.1 (2 marks): Figure 12 shows the variable resistor being used to investigate the variation of current with voltage for a filament lamp. The normal operating voltage of the l
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.4 (2 marks): Figure 14 shows an alternative circuit used to investigate the variation of current with voltage for the lamp. Figure 14 The circuit components are the same as
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.5 (2 marks): Calculate the power transferred by the battery when P is at position Y. [2 marks] power = W
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03.1 (2 marks): The battery is connected to a charger that maintains a constant potential difference of 5.0 V across the battery. It takes 2.6 hours for the battery to become f
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): The diagram shows the currents in part of a circuit. What is the potential difference between points P and Q? [1 mark] A 60 V B 70 V C 180 V D 270 V
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q33 (1 mark): The currents in the four wires obey the relationship I1 + I2 + I3 + I4 = 0 This relationship is an expression of the law of conservation of [1 mark] A charge. B
November 2021, Paper 1, Q06.1 (2 marks): Show that the current in the sensor circuit when the LDR is not illuminated by the light beam is approximately 16 µA. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): The battery in this circuit has an emf of 4.2 V and negligible internal resistance. What are the readings on the voltmeter when the switch is open (off) and whe
November 2021, Paper 3A, Q02.5 (2 marks): Figure 5 shows a circuit with LR connected to a resistor of resistance R. Figure 5 The power supply has emf 6.10 V and negligible internal resistance. The curre
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q06.2 (2 marks): Figure 13 shows the battery connected into a circuit. Figure 13 The ammeter is ideal. The voltmeter is non-ideal and has a resistance R. The reading on the volt
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q06.3 (3 marks): Show that the resistance R of the voltmeter is approximately 300 Ω. [3 marks]
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q06.4 (2 marks): The voltmeter is now connected across the battery terminals. Calculate the power dissipated in the voltmeter. [2 marks] power = W
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q06.5 (2 marks): The voltmeter is now connected across the 640 Ω resistor as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 The reading on the voltmeter is 2.10 V. When the voltmeter was connect
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q04.4 (4 marks): The motor is connected to a 110 V dc supply that has negligible internal resistance. The maximum operating current in the motor is 5.0 A. The efficiency of the
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q29 (1 mark): The diagram shows the currents in a set of wires. What is the magnitude of the current at X? [1 mark] A zero B 2 A C 3 A D 6 A
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q30 (1 mark): Resistors of resistance R, R and 3R are connected as shown. What is the resistance of the arrangement? [1 mark] A 3 7 R B 7 3 R C 5 6 R D 6 5 R
November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.1 (1 mark): Show that the resistance of one of the lamps when it is operating at 12 V is about 100 Ω. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): Initially the power supply is connected to the lamps using two short copper wires of negligible resistance. Calculate the current in the power supply. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.4 (4 marks): The demonstration is intended to show that the lamps are significantly dimmer when connected using the long constantan wires than when using the short copper wi
November 2020, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): What quantity is measured in kW h? [1 mark] A charge B current C energy D power
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q29 (1 mark): Which row shows the resistances of an ideal ammeter and an ideal voltmeter? [1 mark] Ideal ammeter Ideal voltmeter A infinite infinite B infinite zero C zero in
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): A filament lamp with resistance 12 Ω is operated at a power of 36 W. How much charge flows through the filament lamp during 15 minutes? [1 mark] A 26 C B 1.6 kC
June 2019, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): The diagram shows part of a circuit and the currents in the circuit. What is the potential difference between point P and earth? [1 mark] A 60 V B 100 V C 120 V
June 2019, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): Two cylindrical wires P and Q are of equal length and made of the same material. The diameter of P is greater than that of Q. P and Q are connected in series an
June 2019, Paper 3 Electronics, Q01.4 (3 marks): The potential difference across the green LED is 2.1 V when it is lit. The current through it should not exceed 9 mA. All logic gate outputs are: logic low = 0
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (4 marks): A light emitting diode (LED) is used to indicate that the switch in the glove is closed, as shown in Figure 1. Resistor R limits the current in the LED. Figure
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q02.4 (4 marks): One of the circuits A to D shown in Figure 4 was used to obtain the current–voltage data in Figure 3. The maximum resistance of resistor P is twice the resistan
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q04.3 (3 marks): Either of the circuits shown in Figure 10a and Figure 10b could be used to reduce the initial current surge. Figure 10a Figure 10b The thermistor and the fixed
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): Resistors X and Y are connected in series with a 6.0 V battery of negligible internal resistance. X has resistance R and Y has resistance R 2 . A voltmeter of r
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q34 (1 mark): In the circuit shown, a potential difference of 3.0 V is applied across XY. What is the current in the 5 Ω resistor? [1 mark] A 0.38 A B 0.60 A C 0.75 A D 2.7 A
June 2018, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): The two resistors shown are both uniform cylinders of equal length made from the same conducting putty. The diameter of Y is twice that of X. The resistance of
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q06.1 (4 marks): Table 1 shows the operating conditions for the lamps when they are at normal brightness. Table 1 Lamps Operating voltage / V Power / W A and C 6.0 6.0 B and D 3
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q06.2 (3 marks): The student connects another lamp E in the circuit as shown in Figure 7. Lamp E is identical to lamps A and C. Figure 7 Explain what the student would observe r
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q06.3 (3 marks): Lamp B in Figure 7 fails so that it no longer conducts. This change does not affect the resistance of the other lamps. Deduce the effect on the current in the b
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q03.5 (3 marks): The radioactive source was positioned 10 cm above the wire gauze before being moved slowly towards the wire gauze leading to the ionisation event in question 03
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): A circuit consists of a cell, a thermistor, a fixed resistor and two ammeters. The cell has a constant electromotive force and negligible internal resistance. R
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): A circuit consists of two identical cells, a resistor, an ammeter and a voltmeter. The cells each have an emf of 3.0 V and the resistor has a resistance of 12 Ω
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q34 (1 mark): The circuit shows a cell with negligible internal resistance connected in a circuit with three resistors, an ammeter and a voltmeter. Which row shows the readin
June 2017, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): In the circuit below, the potential difference across the light emitting diode (LED) is 1.8 V when it is emitting light. The current in the circuit is 20 mA. Wh
June 2017, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): The combined resistance of n identical resistors connected in parallel is Rn. Which statement correctly describes the variation of Rn as n increases? [1 mark] A
June 2017, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): The table shows the resistivity, length and cross-sectional area of wires P and Q. resistivity length cross-sectional area wire P ρ L A wire Q 4 L 2 A The resis
June 2017, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): In this resistor network, the emf of the supply is 12 V and it has negligible internal resistance. What is the reading on a voltmeter connected between points X
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (3 marks): The resistor and the filament lamp are connected in series with a supply of variable emf and negligible internal resistance. Determine the emf that produces a c
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q02.4 (3 marks): The resistor and filament lamp are now connected in parallel. Determine the resistance of the parallel combination when the emf of the supply is adjusted to be
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (1 mark): Calculate the largest value of R that the student can obtain using two resistors. [1 mark] largest value of R = Ω
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Calculate the smallest value of R that the student can obtain using two resistors. [2 marks] smallest value of R = Ω
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q01.8 (2 marks): Figure 4 shows a different method for varying the resistance R described in question 01 on page 2. Figure 4 The four resistors are connected in a loop with sock
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): The current in the cell is 10 A as shown. What is the current in the 2.0 Ω resistor? [1 mark] A 0.35 A B 2.86 A C 3.50 A D 7.14 A
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (1 mark): In order to measure the resistance of a used working probe, it is connected in the circuit shown in Figure 7. When R3 is adjusted to a particular value the curr
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): The resistance of R2 is 22 Ω and the resistance of R3 is 1.2 Ω. Calculate the current in R3. [1 mark] current = ____________________ A
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (3 marks): Calculate the resistance of the probe when the resistance of R1 is 2.4 Ω. [3 marks] resistance = ____________________ Ω
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q04.4 (2 marks): Calculate the maximum number of components, each of resistance 45 Ω, that can be connected in parallel across the RTG before the maximum output power is reached
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q30 (1 mark): A cell C of negligible resistance and a switch are in series with a resistor R. The switch is moved to the on (closed) position for a time t. Which change reduc
Specimen, Paper 1, Q03.1 (1 mark): The cells in the circuit shown in Figure 2 have zero internal resistance. Currents are in the directions shown by the arrows. Figure 2 R1 is a variable resistor
Specimen, Paper 1, Q03.2 (1 mark): The cells in the circuit shown in Figure 2 have zero internal resistance. Currents are in the directions shown by the arrows. Figure 2 R1 is a variable resistor
Specimen, Paper 1, Q03.3 (2 marks): The cells in the circuit shown in Figure 2 have zero internal resistance. Currents are in the directions shown by the arrows. Figure 2 R1 is a variable resistor
Specimen, Paper 1, Q03.4 (3 marks): The cells in the circuit shown in Figure 2 have zero internal resistance. Currents are in the directions shown by the arrows. Figure 2 R1 is a variable resistor
Specimen, Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): In the circuit shown in the diagram the cell has negligible internal resistance. What happens to the reading of both meters when the resistance of R is decrease
June 2016, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the rms voltage across the heating element in the oven will be less than 230 V. [2 marks] __________________________________________________________
June 2016, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the rms voltage across the heating element in the oven when it is at its working temperature. [3 marks] rms voltage = ___________________________ V
June 2015, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(c) (2 marks): Three identical filament lamps, P, Q and R are connected in the circuit shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 The filament in lamp Q melts so that it no longer conducts.
June 2015, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b) (3 marks): Explain why only a small percentage of the total current in the cable passes through the steel wire. [3 marks]
June 2015, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(c) (3 marks): The potential difference across a length of 1.0 km of the cable is 75 V. Calculate the total power loss for a 1.0 km length of cable. [3 marks] Total power loss
June 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across the 2.0Ω resistor. pd V (1 mark)
June 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the current in the 2.0Ω resistor. current A (1 mark)
June 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(iv) (1 mark): Determine the current in R. current A (1 mark)
June 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(v) (1 mark): Calculate the resistance of R. R Ω (1 mark)
June 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(vi) (2 marks): Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. circuit resistance Ω (2 marks)
January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(i) (3 marks): calculate the total resistance of the circuit, total resistance = kΩ (3 marks)
January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): calculate the current in the battery. current = mA (1 mark)
January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b) (3 marks): A high-resistance voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference (pd) between points A–C, D–F and C–D in turn. Complete the following table indicating th
January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across each of the wires. pd = V (1 mark)
January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the emf (electromotive force) of the power supply. emf = V (2 marks)
June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the current in the battery. answer = A (2 marks)
June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the lamps will not be at their normal brightness in this circuit. (2 marks)
June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(c)(ii) (3 marks): State and explain which of the lamps will be brighter assuming that the resistance of the lamps does not change significantly with temperature. (3 marks) Turn t
June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the current in the circuit. answer = A (2 marks)
June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the resistance of R1. answer = Ω (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across R1. answer V (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the current in R1. answer A (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the resistance of R1. answer Ω (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(iv) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across R2. answer V (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b)(v) (1 mark): Calculate the resistance of R2. answer Ω (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain without calculation why the voltmeter reading decreases. (2 marks)
January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain without calculation why the lamp Y glows more brightly. (2 marks)
June 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. answer = Ω (1 mark)
June 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): The resistors W, X, Y, and Z all have the same resistance. Show that your answer to part (a) (i) is consistent with the resistance of each resistor being 3.0Ω.
June 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the current through resistor Y. answer = A (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(d)(i) (2 marks): in series, (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(d)(ii) (2 marks): in parallel. (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across the 540 Ω resistor. answer = V (1 mark)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the pd across the 1200 Ω resistor. answer = V (1 mark)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the resistance of the parallel combination of the resistor and the thermistor. answer = Ω (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the resistance of the thermistor. answer = Ω (2 marks)
June 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the current in the circuit. answer = A (1 mark)
June 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the resistance of R quoting your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. answer = Ω (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the power wasted in the internal circuits when the TV set is left in standby mode. answer = W (1 mark)
January 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): The TV set is left in standby mode for 80% of the time. Calculate the amount of energy, in J, that is wasted in one year through the use of the standby mode. 1
January 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(iv) (2 marks): Show that the cost of this wasted energy will be about £4, if electrical energy is charged at 20p per kWh. (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. answer = Ω (1 mark)
January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the total emf of the combination of cells. answer = V (1 mark)
January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the current passing through cell A. answer = A (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b) (3 marks): Each of the cells can provide the same amount of electrical energy before going flat. State and explain which two cells in this circuit you would expect to go f
June 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the current in the 8.0 Ω resistor answer A (2 marks)
June 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the current in the 4.0 Ω resistor if the p.d. across the diode, when in forward bias, is 0.65 V expressing your answer to an appropriate number of sig
January 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a) (2 marks): Calculate the total resistance between terminals A and B. answer = Ω (2 marks)
January 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b) (6 marks): A potential difference is applied between the two terminals, A and B, and the power dissipated in each of the 400 Ω resistors is 1.0 W. 6 (b) (i) Calculate the
January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q2(a) (5 marks): 2 (a) (i) Calculate the total circuit resistance. 2 (a) (ii) Show that the potential difference across each resistor is 6.0 V. (5 marks)
January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q2(b) (2 marks): 2 (b) Explain, without further calculation, why the power supplied to the 20 Ω resistor is the same as the power supplied to the parallel combination of the 30
January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q3(a) (3 marks): 3 (a) (i) Calculate the peak voltage of the mains supply. 3 (a) (ii) Calculate the rms current supplied to the cooker when it is operating at full power. (3 mar
January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q3(b) (6 marks): 3 (b) The cooker is connected permanently to the ac mains electricity supply using its own connecting cable of length 5.2 m. Each metre of the connecting cable
January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q4(a) (4 marks): 4 (a) (i) Calculate the resistance of the thermistor at this temperature. 4 (a) (ii) Calculate the resistance of R. (4 marks)
June 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q1(a) (1 mark): 1 (a) Each lamp is rated at 2.0 W at a voltage of 8.0 V. Calculate the resistance of a lamp at this voltage. (1 mark)
June 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q1(b) (3 marks): 1 (b) The resistance of R is chosen so that the lamps are to operate at their normal working voltage of 8.0 V. Calculate 1 (b) (i) the current supplied by the b
June 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q1(c) (3 marks): 1 (c) When the lamps are at their correct working voltage, 1 (c) (i) calculate the time taken for a charge of 20 C to pass through one of the lamps, 1 (c) (ii)
June 2008, PHA9W (2008 spec), Q5(c) (2 marks): 5 (c) When the red LED is on, the voltage across it is 1.6 V. 5 (c) (i) Calculate the current through its 500 Ω current limiting resistor. 5 (c) (ii) The 500 Ω
January 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q1(a) (5 marks): 1 (a) (i) A cable of length 8.0 m consists of a single strand of copper wire of cross-sectional area 7.8 × 10 –7 m 2. When the current through the cable is 5.0
January 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q2(a) (6 marks): 2 (a) A battery of emf 21 V and negligible internal resistance is connected to a resistor network as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 21 V 80 Ω 20 Ω 15 Ω 60 Ω 40 Ω A
January 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q2(b) (4 marks): (b) A student is provided with the circuit shown in Figure 2, where P and Q are sealed boxes. Figure 2 The student is told that ! each of the boxes P and Q cont

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