plumiResistivity: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.5.1.3 Resistivity, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 74 questions on Resistivity, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): Two thin metal rods W1 and W2, each of length L and diameter d, are connected in series. The resistivity of W1 is ρ1 and the resistivity of W2 is ρ2. A single m
- June 2025, Paper 3A, Q03.1 (3 marks): Determine α using the graph in Figure 6. State an appropriate SI unit for your answer. R0 = 2.83 Ω when T0 = 291 K [3 marks] α = unit =
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q06.1 (6 marks): Discuss, for the range 0 to 9 mA, the characteristic of T shown by Figure 9. In your answer you should: • describe how to produce a characteristic experimentall
- 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, Q27 (1 mark): The resistivity of the metal used in a uniform wire is determined from a set of measurements. The percentage uncertainties in the measurements are shown below.
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q06.2 (5 marks): The resistance R of the thermistor at temperature θ in K is given by: 0 0 1 1 = e B R R − where R0 is the resistance at the initial temperature
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q06.3 (2 marks): Explain why the current in the thermistor needs to be controlled. [2 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q01.4 (2 marks): When the switch is closed, the voltmeter reading is 397 mV. Show that, for the arrangement in Figure 4, the resistance R of the wire between the clips is about
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q01.5 (2 marks): Determine the resistance per metre of X. [2 marks] resistance per metre = Ω m−1
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q01.6 (4 marks): Table 1 shows the resistance per metre of various metal wires. The diameter of X is one of the values of d shown in Table 1. Table 1 Resistance per metre of wir
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q28 (1 mark): An aluminium wire has a length of 12 cm and a volume of 3.7 × 10−4 m3. The resistivity of aluminium is 2.7 × 10−8 Ω m. What is the resistance of the wire? [1 ma
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q03.4 (4 marks): Figure 5 shows a variable resistor similar to the one shown in Figure 3 but with the following three manufacturing faults: • at P the conducting layer changes i
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Which statement about a superconducting metal is correct? [1 mark] A Its resistivity is small but not zero. B A current in it causes no heating effect. C Its cr
- 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, Q19 (1 mark): The table shows the lengths and cross-sectional areas of two wires X and Y of the same metal. Wire Length / cm Cross-sectional area / mm2 X 47 0.10 Y 23 0.40 Th
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A superconducting material has a critical temperature Tc. Which graph shows the variation of resistivity ρ with temperature T ? [1 mark] A B C D
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q04.3 (3 marks): She uses a resistance wire with a diameter of 0.19 mm to make the variable resistor. A 5.0 m length of this wire has a resistance of 9.0 Ω. Calculate the resist
- June 2022, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (4 marks): A student is given some putty to form into cylinders. To find the resistance of a cylinder, metal discs are placed in contact with the ends of the cylinder and
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): When the voltmeter reading is zero: 3 1 2 4 = R R R R where R4 is the resistance of the copper wire between P and Q. Determine, in Ω m−1, the resistance per uni
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): Determine the resistivity ρ of copper. diameter d of the copper wire = 0.38 mm [2 marks] ρ = Ω m The copper wire is replaced with a constantan wire of diameter
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q02.6 (1 mark): Calculate, in mm, the diameter of a constantan wire that has the same resistance per unit length as the copper wire. [1 mark] diameter = mm END OF SECTION A
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q30 (1 mark): As the temperature of a copper wire increases, its resistance [1 mark] A remains constant. B increases. C decreases. D remains constant at first and then decrea
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): Two resistors X and Y are connected in series with a power supply of emf 30 V and negligible internal resistance. The resistors are made from wire of the same m
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q34 (1 mark): Superconductors are used to [1 mark] A increase the strength of electricity cables. B make light dependent resistors. C produce strong magnetic fields. D increa
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.3 (3 marks): The two short copper wires are replaced with two long constantan wires. Show that the resistance of each length of constantan wire is about 50 Ω. length of each
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.5 (3 marks): Scientists and engineers are investigating the use of superconductors in electrical transmission. Discuss one advantage and one difficulty when using supercondu
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): A resistor with resistance R is made from metal wire of resistivity . The length of the wire is L. What is the diameter of the wire? [1 mark] A 2 R L B 2 L R C
- 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, AS Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): The length of the heating element needed is about 0.85 m. The designer considers using a carbon fibre tape for the heating element. Table 1 gives information fo
- 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 2018, Paper 1, Q04.1 (3 marks): The 0.25 kΩ resistor is made of 50 turns of wire that is wound around a non-conducting cylinder of diameter 8.0 mm Resistivity of the wire = 4.2 × 10–7 Ω m Dete
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q04.4 (2 marks): State and explain the effect on the output pd of increasing the temperature of the thermistor. [2 marks]
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q08 (1 mark): A student carries out an experiment to determine the resistivity of a metal wire. She determines the resistance from measurements of potential difference betwee
- 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 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 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, AS Paper 1, Q02.5 (3 marks): The resistance of the filament lamp at its working temperature is 14 Ω. The filament has a length of 0.36 m and a diameter of 32 µm. Calculate the resistivity o
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): Which statement about superconductors is correct? [1 mark] A When a material becomes a superconductor, its resistivity is almost zero. B The temperature at whic
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): A wire has a resistance R. What is the resistance when both the length and radius of the wire are doubled? [1 mark] A R 4 B R 2 C 2R D 4R
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q33 (1 mark): Which graph shows the variation of the resistance with temperature for an ntc thermistor? [1 mark] A B C D
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (3 marks): The wire in an unused probe has a resistance of 0.070 Ω and a length of 0.50 m. Calculate the diameter of the wire. [3 marks] resistivity of metal in the wire =
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q04.5 (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the diameter of the probe when its resistance increases by 1.6 %. [2 marks] percentage change = ____________________ %
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): A potential divider circuit consists of a battery connected across a thermistor and variable resistor in series. Which of the following causes the potential dif
- June 2015, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a) (4 marks): The steel wire has a diameter of 7.4 mm. Calculate the resistivity of steel. State an appropriate unit. [4 marks] resistivity = unit
- 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 2014, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Define resistivity. [2 marks]
- June 2014, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): State the significance of the critical temperature of a material. [2 marks]
- June 2014, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(b) (4 marks): A sample of tin in the form of a cylinder of diameter 1.0mm and length 4.8m has a resistance of 0.70 Ω. Use these data to calculate a value of the resistivity o
- June 2014, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a) (6 marks): Data have to be obtained so that a graph can be plotted to show how the reading on the voltmeter varies with temperature between 0ºC and 100ºC. Design an experi
- January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): State the principal property of a superconductor. (1 mark)
- January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): State what is meant by critical temperature. (1 mark)
- January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): Give one use of a superconductor. (1 mark)
- January 2013, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(a) (2 marks): Calculate the resistance of the wire. resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–7 Ωm resistance = Ω (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b) (3 marks): In the circuit shown in Figure 4 R2 is replaced with a thermistor. State and explain what will happen to the reading on the voltmeter as the temperature of the
- January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(i) (3 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of a suitable arrangement that would enable the student to carry out the experiment. (3 marks)
- January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(ii) (6 marks): Describe the procedure the student would follow in order to obtain accurate and reliable measurements of the resistance of the wire at different temperatures be
- January 2012, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b) (2 marks): A certain metal has a critical temperature of –268 oC (5K). Explain what is meant by critical temperature. (2 marks)
- January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q6(c) (2 marks): Explain why the current through the lamp decreases between 0.05s and 0.50s.
- January 2011, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b) (3 marks): The temperature of the thermistor is increased so that its resistance decreases. State and explain what happens to the pd across the 1200 Ω resistor. (3 marks)
- June 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of a suitable circuit that would enable the student to measure the resistance of the thermistor. (2 marks)
- June 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(ii) (6 marks): Describe the procedure the student would follow in order to obtain accurate and reliable measurements of the resistance of the thermistor at different temperatu
- January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the resistance between the ends of the cylinder of conducting putty. Your answer should be given to an appropriate number of significant figures. answ
- January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): The putty is now reshaped into a cylinder with half the radius and a length which is four times as great. Determine how many times greater the resistance now is
- January 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b) (8 marks): Given the original cylinder of the conducting putty described in part (a), describe how you would use a voltmeter, ammeter and other standard laboratory equipme
- June 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q7(b) (3 marks): The copper cable connecting the starter motor to the battery has a length of 0.75m and cross-sectional area of 7.9 × 10 –5 m 2. The resistance of the cable is 1
- January 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(a) (3 marks): Some materials exhibit the property of superconductivity under certain conditions. • State what is meant by superconductivity. • Explain the required conditions
- January 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): The cross-sectional area of the copper in the cable is 2.28 × 10 –7 m 2. The resistance of the copper in a 1.0 m length of the cable is 0.075 Ω. Calculate the r
- January 2009, PHYA1 (old spec), Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): State and explain what happens to the resistance of the cable when the embedded filaments of wire are made superconducting. (3 marks)
- January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q1(b) (3 marks): 1 (b) When the potential difference across the lamp is 6.0 V, the current through it is 0.30 A. The lamp filament consists of a metal wire of area of cross-sect
- January 2009, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q4(b) (5 marks): 4 (b) Discuss how the ammeter reading and the voltmeter reading would change if the temperature of the thermistor were reduced. You may be awarded additional ma
- June 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q2(b) (3 marks): 2 (b) An electric heater is required to produce 1.2 kW when connected to the 230 V rms ac mains. The heating element consists of a single uniform wire of an all
- June 2008, PHA3W (2008 spec), Q4(b) (5 marks): 4 (b) A second resistor, R2, having the same resistance as R1 is connected in series with a switch across the thermistor, as shown in Figure 7. The temperature
- 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), Q1(b) (4 marks): (b) (i) A second cable, also 8.0 m long, consists of three strands of copper. Each strand has the same cross-sectional area as the single copper strand in part
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