plumiResistance, resistivity and power: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Resistance, resistivity and power (specification points 36–42), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q11(a)
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Q13(b)(i)
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Q1(a)
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Q5(a)
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Q10(a)
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Q14(c)(i)
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Q14(c)(ii)
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Q16(a)
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Q11(b)
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Q11(c)(i)
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Q11(c)(ii)
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Q11(c)(iii)
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Q12(a)
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Q12(b)
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Q12(c)
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Q14(a)
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All 82 questions on Resistance, resistivity and power, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): A wire of resistance R has a circular cross-sectional area. A second wire has the same length and is made of the same material. The diameter of the second wire
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q11(a) (2 marks): Sketch the current-potential difference graph for a diode. (2) Current Potential difference
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q13(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the maximum power output from the solar cell is about 2 W. You should use values from the graph. (2)
- 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, Paper 3, Q5(a) (4 marks): Describe how the student could determine an accurate value for the cross‑sectional area of a wire. (4)
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q10(a) (2 marks): Show that the rate of power dissipation in the resistor is about 48 W. (2)
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q9 (3 marks): The graph shows how current varies with potential difference for a component in a circuit. Current Potential difference Explain how the graph shows what the com
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q14(c)(i) (2 marks): Show that the maximum current in an electrical cable to a house is about 22 A. mains potential difference = 230 V (2)
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q14(c)(ii) (5 marks): On Eigg the cables to the houses are made of aluminium instead of copper. The rate of energy transfer to the environment is limited to 0.05 W per metre of cable
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q12 (6 marks): Electrical power is transmitted from Norway to Britain using a cable laid under the North Sea. The following information is published on a website. The cable ha
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q16(a) (2 marks): Show that the resistance of the filament bulb when operating normally is about 5 Ω. (2)
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q3 (6 marks): * 3 A student connects three identical 3 V bulbs to a 6 V battery of negligible internal resistance. The circuit includes two switches, S1 and S2, as shown. 6 V
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q11(b) (2 marks): A filament bulb and ammeter were connected to the potential divider. The potential divider was used to vary V across the filament bulb. The ammeter gave the cor
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q11(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why a graph of log T against log V would give a straight line. (2)
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q11(c)(ii) (5 marks): Data for T and V is shown in the table below. T / K V / V 1480 5.03 1680 6.89 1850 8.95 2010 11.11 2140 12.94 2280 15.06 Plot a graph of log T against log V on
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q11(c)(iii) (2 marks): Determine a value for b using your graph. (2) b =
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q12(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student could have measured the diameter of the wire accurately. (2)
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q12(b) (4 marks): The student made the following measurements: voltmeter reading = 1.96 V ammeter reading = 0.57 A diameter of wire = 0.58 mm length of wire = 83.5 cm Calculate t
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q12(c) (3 marks): The student stated that the ammeter reading was the most significant source of uncertainty in the calculated value of resistivity. The percentage uncertainty in
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q14(a) (4 marks): When the potential difference across the variable power supply is 6.0 V, the ammeter reading is 12.5 mA. Calculate the resistance of the fixed resistor. (4) Res
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q14(b) (6 marks): The ammeter and voltmeter were removed from the circuit. The variable power supply was replaced by a signal generator and an oscilloscope, as shown. oscilloscop
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): A piece of conducting putty is shaped into a cylinder of uniform cross‑sectional area, as shown. The length of the cylinder is l. The resistance between the two
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q12(a) (3 marks): Calculate the length of the constantan wire used to make the resistor. resistivity of constantan wire at room temperature = 4.9 × 10 –7 Ω m diameter of wire = 0
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q16(a) (4 marks): A graph of her results is shown. Current / A Potential difference / V Explain the shape of the graph. (4)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q16(b) (3 marks): The student replaced the bulb in the circuit with a diode in forward bias and a resistor as shown. 0–12 V power supply + – A V The graph shows how current vari
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q11(b) (2 marks): The go‑kart is powered by a battery connected to a motor. The rate of thermal energy transfer by the wiring in the motor is 55 W. Calculate the resistance of th
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q14(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the operation of this circuit. Your answer should refer to D1, D2, D3 and D4. (3)
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q18(a) (3 marks): The resistance of the track between terminal X and terminal Y is 12.0 kΩ. Calculate the thickness t of the track. resistivity of track material = 0.49 Ω m (3) t
- 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, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following graphs shows how the current I through a thermistor varies with the potential difference V across the thermistor? I I V V A B I I V V C D
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q9 (3 marks): A circuit was constructed as shown. 30 Ω 20 Ω 10 Ω 40 Ω Calculate the total resistance of the resistors in the circuit. Total resistance =
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q15(b) (4 marks): The digital voltmeter is replaced with an analogue voltmeter with much less resistance. Deduce how this will affect the efficiency of the motor circuit. (4)
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q18(a)(ii) (3 marks): The student formed the putty into a cylinder. Coins were pushed onto the ends of the cylinder as shown. The coins each had a crocodile clip attached and an ohmm
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q18(b) (2 marks): The student then made a cylinder that had a larger resistance. Explain how the student used the putty to make a larger resistance. (2)
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which of the following is the total resistance of the resistors in parallel? A 20 Ω B 40 Ω C 90 Ω D 180 Ω
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q14(b) (3 marks): A bank of 380 of these solar panels is used to charge the battery in a vehicle. The panels are connected in parallel and the current provided by each panel is 0
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q7(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the power dissipated in the circuit. (3) Power dissipated in circuit =
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): Show that the resistance of the combination is about 70 Ω. (2)
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q10(b) (4 marks): This resistor combination is connected to a battery of e.m.f. ε and internal resistance r. 120 Ω 180 Ω The switch is closed for 5 minutes. Calculate the energy
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q12(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the mean diameter of the wire. (3) % uncertainty in mean diameter of wire =
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q12(a)(ii) (3 marks): The student used an ohmmeter to measure the resistance R of a 1.65 m length of the wire. He looked up the resistivity values of some materials. Material Titaniu
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q12(b) (3 marks): Nichrome wire is often used in heating elements. Nichrome wire is used to make a coil for a 65 W mains powered heater. The nichrome wire has a resistance per me
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q12(b) (3 marks): A shunt of this resistance was usually made from Manganin wire. Calculate the length of Manganin wire of radius 0.95 mm required to make this shunt. resistivity
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q15(c) (3 marks): When the potential at Y is 2.0 V, the switch S2 is opened. Calculate the power dissipated by the resistance R1 when the potential at Y is 2.0 V. (3) Power dissi
- October 2020, Paper 3, Q5(b) (4 marks): The lightning conductor is a length of copper wire with a diameter of 1.2 × 10–2 m and a resistance of 4.3 × 10−3 Ω. It runs along the back of the statue from t
- October 2020, Paper 3, Q5(c) (1 mark): Give a reason why the lightning conductor should be taller than the statue. (1)
- October 2020, Paper 3, Q6(a) (2 marks): She connected the heater into a circuit and took measurements of the potential difference V and the current I for the heater. Complete the circuit diagram to sh
- October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Part of an electric circuit consists of two resistors. One resistor has a resistance 2R and the other resistor has a resistance R as shown. 2R R Which of the fo
- October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): The graph shows the variation of current I with potential difference V for a diode. I/mA 20 15 10 5 0 4 V/ V –4 2 –2 –5 –10 –15 Which of the following statemen
- October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q11(b) (1 mark): Show how the value in C5 is calculated. (1)
- October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q14(a) (2 marks): Add a circuit diagram to the diagram below to show how the carbon paper is connected. (2)
- October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q14(b) (6 marks): The following graph was plotted from an investigation in which the potential was measured at various distances from the 16.0 cm wide end of the shape. Potentia
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): She connected the electrical heater into a circuit and took measurements to determine the power of the heater. Draw a circuit diagram of a suitable circuit. (2)
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): The diameter of the wire was measured and the cross-sectional area A of the wire calculated. A graph was plotted. The gradient of the graph was equal to the res
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (3 marks): Comment on the suitability of using the analogue voltmeter for measuring the p.d. across the thermistor. Your answer should include a suitable calculation. (3)
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which of the following graphs shows how the current varies with potential difference for a filament lamp? I I V V A B I I V V C D A B C D
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q11(a) (3 marks): Calculate the resistance of a 1.00 m length of the nichrome wire. (3) resistivity of nichrome = 1.12× 10–6ȍP diameter of wire = 4.00× 10–4 m Resistance =
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(a) (1 mark): Criticise the student’s recording of the data. (1)
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(b) (4 marks): The student drew a graph of how current varies with p.d. She drew a straight line on the graph and claimed that the data demonstrates that the filament lamp obe
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(a) (3 marks): Derive an expression for the effective resistance Reff of two resistors R1 and R2 connected in parallel in a circuit. (3)
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): The graph shows how the potential difference V varies with the current I for a circuit component. V I Which of the following could be the circuit component? A d
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q9(a) (3 marks): Three resistors, of resistance R1, R2 and R3, are connected in series across a cell. The cell has electromotive force (e.m.f.) ε with negligible internal resist
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q13(a) (2 marks): Explain how the reading on the voltmeter will change if the length BC increases. (2)
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q13(b) (4 marks): The table gives the resistivity of some different materials. Material Resistivity / Ω m Undisturbed clay 4–20 Compacted clay 100–200 Limestone 500–1000 Sandston
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): A light-emitting diode (LED) is used to provide the unpolarised white light for the liquid‑crystal display. Calculate the efficiency of the liquid‑crystal displ
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The two resistors shown each have resistance R. X Y Which expression gives the correct resistance between point X and point Y? A R 2 B R C 2R D R2
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): The current‑potential difference graphs for a resistor and a thermistor are shown. 2.0 I/A 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 V/V The resistor and thermistor are c
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q14(b)(i) (4 marks): Show that the current through the salt water is about 20 mA. resistivity of salt water = 1.6 Ω m (4)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q6(a) (4 marks): Determine which of the three measurements introduces the greatest uncertainty into the value for the resistivity. Your answer should include calculations. (4)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q6(b) (2 marks): Explain how the student could reduce the uncertainty in the measurement of the diameter. (2)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q6(c) (4 marks): Calculate the minimum value of resistivity possible from the student’s data. (4) Minimum resistivity =
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q8(a) (1 mark): Add an ammeter and a voltmeter to the circuit diagram that would enable the data to be collected. (1)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): The student wrote the following conclusion. “The graph shows that in general the LED is not an ohmic conductor. However, for potential differences greater than
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): A student is deriving an equation for the total resistance of resistors in series. She writes the following steps but does not justify them. Step 1 V = V1 + V2
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q14(b) (3 marks): Sketch a graph of resistance against potential difference for the filament bulb over the range 0 V to 7 V. (3) Resistance Potential difference
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): State and justify how the applied forces change the resistance of the wire. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): The gauge factor GF of a strain gauge is given by ΔR GF = εR where ε is the strain R is the initial resistance ΔR is the change in resistance When forces are ap
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q16(c) (2 marks): Explain the benefit of arranging the wire in a zigzag pattern. (2)
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): A student set up the circuit below and moved a sliding contact along a uniform conducting wire. The student recorded the potential difference V across each leng
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): A student carried out an experiment to investigate the current-potential difference characteristics of a diode using the circuit below. A V He plotted the graph
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q16(b) (4 marks): Graphite used in pencils consists of many layers of carbon. It can be assumed that a pencil deposits approximately 100 layers of carbon atoms when drawn across
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