plumiPotential dividers: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Potential dividers (specification points 43–44), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q1(a)
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Q11(a)
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Q11(b)
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Q16(b)
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Q11(a)
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Q15(b)(i)
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Q15(b)(ii)
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Q13(a)
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Q18(b)(i)
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Q18(b)(ii)
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Q9(a)
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Q9(b)(ii)
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Q11(a)
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Q11(b)
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Q11(b)(i)
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Q11(b)(ii)
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Q11(c)
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All 28 questions on Potential dividers, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(a) (3 marks): The circuit diagram shows the circuit the student used. 9.0 V A V Comment on the suitability of the student’s circuit. (3)
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q11(a) (3 marks): Calculate the resistance R of the resistor when the voltmeter reads 5.5 V. (3) R =
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q11(b) (3 marks): A student uses the circuit to power an electric motor. He connects the motor in parallel with the 45 Ω resistor. The electric motor has a resistance of 45 Ω and
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q16(b) (6 marks): The student wishes to control the brightness of the filament bulb using a potentiometer. The student connects the circuit shown. The total resistance of the pot
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q11(a) (3 marks): The potential divider was adjusted by moving sliding contact S from position X to position Y. Explain how the voltmeter reading V depends upon the position of S
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(i) (4 marks): The intensity of the light incident on the LDR increased. Explain what happened to the speed of the motor. Your answer should include reference to conduction el
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(ii) (3 marks): The power supply consisted of several 1.5 V cells in series. The student set the resistance of resistor R to 270 Ω and measured the potential difference across
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q13(a) (6 marks): Deduce whether this circuit responds as required. (6)
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q9 (3 marks): A student connects the circuit shown. The battery has negligible internal resistance. 6.0 V 10 Ω V The student increases the resistance of the variable resistor
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the potential difference between X and Y is about 10 V. (2)
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q18(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the value of R. (3) R =
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q9(a) (6 marks): Discuss the suitability of each circuit to collect the data. (6)
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): When a voltmeter with a resistance of 1.5 kΩ is connected as shown, the p.d. across the filament lamp decreases. 12 V A 560 Ω V Explain why the p.d. across the
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q11(a) (3 marks): The student increased the resistance of the variable resistor whilst the light intensity was constant. The voltmeter recorded the potential difference across th
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q11(b) (3 marks): The variable resistor was set at a resistance of 4.5 kΩ. Determine the light intensity when the potential difference shown on the voltmeter was 2.5 V. (3) Light
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A light dependent resistor (LDR) and a resistor are connected to a battery, as shown. The intensity of light incident on the LDR increases. Which row of the tab
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Two resistors of resistance R1 and R2 are connected to a battery as shown. The terminal potential difference of the battery is V. V R1 R2 Which of the following
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q11(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the potential along this wire varies with distance from A when the switch is closed. (2)
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q11(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the potential difference between A and a point 75.0 cm along the wire from A is about 1.1 V. (2)
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q11(c) (2 marks): The metre bridge circuit is shown. The circuit includes a resistor of resistance ȍDYHU\VHQVLWLYHDPPHWHUDQGDUHVLVWRURIXQNQRZQUHVLVWDQFHR. ȍ
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(c) (2 marks): Using the circuit shown the student was unable to obtain data for p.d.s less than 2.5 V. Draw a diagram of a circuit the student could have used to enable a ful
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q9(b) (3 marks): The circuit diagram shows two resistors in series across a battery of e.m.f. 6.0 V and negligible internal resistance. A voltmeter with low resistance is connec
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): A light‑dependent resistor (LDR) and resistor are connected in series with a 6V battery as shown. A voltmeter measures the potential difference across the LDR.
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q17(a) (3 marks): The two ends of the wire are connected to a 1.5 V cell. A data logger, set to measure potential difference, is connected to the metal loop and to the negative t
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A series circuit consists of two resistors with resistances R1 and R2 and a battery of potential difference V. Which of the following gives the potential differ
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q12(b) (3 marks): When the lamp was at a distance of 10 cm from the LDR, the reading on the voltmeter was 2.4V. Calculate the resistance of the LDR at this distance. (3) Resistan
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q12(c) (3 marks): The student wants to modify the circuit so that a light bulb lights up when the room goes dark. She modifies the circuit as shown below. When working normally t
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the potential divider circuit can produce a range of values from 0 to 1.5 V on the voltmeter. (3)
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