Current, potential difference and resistance: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Physics exam question on Current, potential difference and resistance (specification points 64–70), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 100 questions on Current, potential difference and resistance, as a list

June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q3 (1 mark): Which of the following units is equivalent to the coulomb? A A s –1 B J V –1 C W A –1 D W V –1
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q8 (1 mark): The cell in a solar-powered lamp stores 6.0 kJ of energy. The lamp is switched on and the cell discharges fully. The cell has a constant e.m.f. of 1.5 V. Which
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q14(b) (4 marks): The battery in an electric bicycle gets warm when the battery supplies power to the motor in the bicycle. Explain why the battery gets hot when the bicycle is g
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the reading on the ammeter is about 20 mA. (3)
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): Determine the resistance of resistor X. (3) Resistance of resistor X =
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Determine the power dissipated in the 100 Ω resistor. (2) Power =
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q16(c) (2 marks): The student makes the following prediction. If I switch the positions of the 100 Ω resistor and the 200 Ω resistor, then the reading on the voltmeter will incre
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2 (1 mark): There is a current I in a wire. The charge on an electron is e. Which of the following gives the number of electrons passing a point on the wire in time t ? A I
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q6 (1 mark): A student connects three identical resistors in the circuit shown. ε V The cell has e.m.f. ε and negligible internal resistance. Which of the following is equal
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q15(a) (4 marks): The student adjusted the variable resistor and recorded corresponding values of current and potential difference for the lamp. The graph shows the results. 0.60
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q15(b) (3 marks): The e.m.f. of the battery was 4.5 V. The battery had negligible internal resistance. Determine the power dissipated in the circuit when the voltmeter reading wa
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(b)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the missing values for Pout and % efficiency. (4) Pout = mW Efficiency = %
January 2025, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): Complete the circuit diagram for the circuit the student could use in this investigation. (2)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q8 (1 mark): A student connects four resistors between points X and Y, as shown. 7 Ω 4 Ω 15 Ω X Y 18 Ω Which of the following expressions gives the total resistance, in ohms
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q10 (1 mark): The circuit shows a cell connected to two resistors. The cell has negligible internal resistance. 1.5 V 20 Ω 30 Ω Which of the following expressions gives the p
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(a) (3 marks): Draw a circuit diagram the student could use for this investigation. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(b) (3 marks): Determine the power of the LED when the p.d. across the LED was 2.2 V. (3) Power =
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(c) (2 marks): The student increased the p.d. across the LED from 0 V to 2.4 V. Describe, without further calculations, how the resistance of the LED changed. (2)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q19(d) (3 marks): In the photomultiplier, the photocathode and several other metal plates are in a vacuum, as shown. metal plate photocathode vacuum 6 m s –1. An electron is emit
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q19(e) (4 marks): The electrical circuit shown includes four resistors, A, B, C and D, which apply a p.d. between adjacent metal plates. metal plate photocathode vacuum A B C D E
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the circuit the student should use for this investigation. (2) X Y R sealed box
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): The student was told that the sealed box contained a diode. Explain why the resistor R is needed in the circuit. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(iii) (4 marks): The student had a choice of resistors to use for the resistor R, as shown in the table. Resistor A B C D Resistance / Ω 18 18 33 33 Maximum power / W 0.5 2.0 0.
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(b) (2 marks): The student plotted the graph below. Current / mA 200 150 100 50 0 Potential difference / V 0 –1 –5 –4 –3 –2 1 2 3 4 5 –50 –100 –150 –200 The sealed box contain
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2 (1 mark): The battery in the circuit shown has a negligible internal resistance. Resistor R1 and resistor R2 are identical. 10 V R1 V R2 3.3 V Which of the following expr
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows part of an electrical circuit. 2 Ω 3 Ω 6 Ω X Y 4 Ω Which of the following expressions gives the total resistance, in ohms, between X and Y? 1
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q9 (1 mark): A student connects the circuit shown. The resistors all have different resistances. 1.4 V V 4.7 Ω R A 0.13 A Which of the following expressions gives the curren
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(c) (2 marks): The power output of the heating system can be changed by connecting more panels in parallel with the power supply, as shown. heating panel Explain how adding pa
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(d) (5 marks): A student designs a heating system using five heating panels, as shown. conducting material 24 V 1.60 m 51 cm To be safe, the maximum power of the student’s hea
June 2024, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is an SI base unit? A ampere B coulomb C joule D tesla
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows a 1.5 V cell in a circuit with two resistors. The cell has negligible internal resistance. 1.5 V 10 Ω 5 Ω V The switch is closed. What is the
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q12 (3 marks): A circuit contains a filament bulb. When the potential difference across the filament is 8.9 V, the resistance of the filament is 7.5 Ω. Calculate the time take
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q16(b) (2 marks): During a lightning strike, there was a potential difference (p.d.) of 1.5 × 10 4 A in between the metal rod and the ground. This p.d. caused a current of 1.2 ×
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q16(c) (3 marks): The steel cable is replaced with a copper cable. The copper cable has the same length and diameter as the steel cable. During a thunderstorm, the p.d. between t
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q18(a)(i) (2 marks): Derive the equation P = V R (2)
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q18(a)(ii) (4 marks): Determine the potential difference across the battery. (4) Potential difference =
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q19(c) (5 marks): A student connected two solar cells in series with a 4.0 Ω resistor as shown. solar cell 4.0 Ω The student adjusted the light conditions so that each solar cell
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): The motor was connected in a circuit including a battery and a switch. The student connected additional components to determine the power of the motor. Complete
October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2 (1 mark): The current-potential difference (p.d.) graph for a diode is shown. Current 0 0.7 V p.d. Which of the following statements is correct for this diode? A This dio
October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q12 (3 marks): Two resistors are connected in a circuit, as shown. V I R1 R2 R R An expression for the combined resistance of the two resistors is 1 2 R R + 1 2 Derive this ex
October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q15(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the work done on each electron is about 4 × 10 –16 J. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q11(a) (3 marks): Show that the current at Z is about 1.3 A. (3)
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q11(b) (2 marks): In 60 seconds, the resistor transfers 24 J of energy. Calculate the potential difference across the resistor. (2) Potential difference =
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q16(a) (3 marks): Determine the minimum potential difference for which the headlight will emit light. (3) Minimum potential difference = V
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the advantages of connecting the headlights in parallel with the battery rather than in series. (3)
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): A student writes the following statement. When connected to the 12.0 V battery, the combined resistance of two headlights in parallel is one quarter of the comb
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Add to the diagram to show how an ammeter and a voltmeter should be connected in the circuit. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a reason for using a fixed resistor in the circuit. (1)
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1 (1 mark): The graph shows how current I varies with potential difference V for an electrical component. I V Which component is represented by the graph? A diode B filamen
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q9 (1 mark): A lamp is connected in the circuit as shown. The cell has negligible internal resistance. 1.5 V P In 30 seconds, the charge passing point P is 0.4 C. Which of t
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q13(b) (4 marks): Wires W and Z are now connected in series as shown. W Z Complete the table by placing a cross in the correct box for each quantity. (4) Same value for Quantity
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q14(a)(i) (3 marks): Show that the voltmeter reading was about 6 V. ammeter reading = 23 mA (3)
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q14(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the power dissipated by the thermistor. (3) Power =
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5 (1 mark): The graphs show how current I varies with potential difference V for three components. I I I V V V Which of the following components is not represented by any o
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q7 (1 mark): The current at a point in a circuit is 1.25 A. Which of the following expressions gives the number of electrons passing the point in 45 seconds? 1 25 . × 45 A 1
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q10 (1 mark): Which of the following units is equivalent to the volt? A C s–1 B J s–1 C J C–1 D J s
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q13(a) (4 marks): Calculate a value for the resistance of the resistor R. e.m.f. of the cell = 1.54 V (4) Resistance =
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q17(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that the power of the LED was about 0.1 W. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q6 (1 mark): At a point in a circuit there is a current of 3.0 A. Which of the following gives the total charge passing this point in 2.0 minutes? A 0.025 C B 1.5 C C 6.0 C
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q12(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how decreasing the temperature of the thermistor affects the power dissipated by the 2.0 kΩ resistor. Do not include calculations in your answer. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q13(a) (2 marks): Complete the sketch graph to show how current varies with potential difference for a filament bulb. (2) I V
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q15(a) (6 marks): Explain how measurements of current and potential difference could be used to demonstrate that charge and energy are both conserved in this circuit. Your answer
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. resistance of each resistor = 12.5 Ω (3) Total resistance =
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following units is equivalent to the volt? A J s–1 B W s–1 C J C–1 D W C–1
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q8 (1 mark): The graph shows how current I varies with potential difference V for an electrical component. I V Which component is represented by this graph? A Diode B Filame
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q17(a) (6 marks): Calculate the number of electrons passing point X each second. (6) Number of electrons in one second =
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q17(b) (4 marks): Another resistor, Y, is added to the circuit as shown. 12 V Y 3.0 Ω 4.0 Ω 6.0 Ω The student wrote the following statement. When resistor Y is added, the resista
January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): The student built a circuit to vary the power of the bulb. The student used an ammeter and voltmeter to determine the power of the bulb. Draw a circuit diagram
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q1 (1 mark): The graph shows how potential difference V varies with current I for an electrical component. V I Which electrical component is represented by this graph? A dio
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q5 (1 mark): The unit of resistance is the ohm. Which of the following is equivalent to the ohm? A J C−2 s B J C2 s−1 C J C−1 s−1 D J C s
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q13(a) (4 marks): Calculate the length of the wire in the filament. (4) Length of wire =
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q13(b) (3 marks): A student has two filament lamps. Lamp A is marked 12 V 60 W and lamp B is marked 12 V 30 W. The student sets up the circuit shown. 24 V A B The student states
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q15(a) (3 marks): Two resistors of resistance R1 and R2 are connected in parallel in a circuit. Derive a formula for the total resistance RT of the combination. (3)
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the resistance between points A and B is about 3 Ω. (3)
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q15(b)(ii) (2 marks): A student is told to modify the combination of resistors so that the combined resistance between A and B is greater than 5.0 Ω. She cannot change the arrangemen
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q11(a) (1 mark): State the purpose of the resistor in this circuit. (1)
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q12(c) (2 marks): The switch remains closed and 12 C of charge flows through the battery. Calculate the decrease in the chemical energy store of the battery. (2) Decrease in chem
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q18(b) (4 marks): A student suggests that the maximum power output from the resistors in this circuit will be greater than 12 W. Assess whether the student’s suggestion is correc
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q18(c)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the number of conduction electrons passing through the resistor every second immediately after switch Y was closed. (3) Number of electrons =
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows a combination of three resistors of resistance X, Y and Z. Y X Z Which of the following gives the total resistance of this combination? 1 1 A
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q10 (1 mark): In a series circuit, 3.1 ´ 1019 electrons pass a particular point in a time of 30 seconds. Which of the following gives the magnitude of the current in amperes
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q16 (6 marks): *16 The graphs show how current I varies with potential difference V for a filament bulb and for a negative temperature coefficient thermistor. I I V V Filament
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q19(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the power dissipated from the nichrome wire to the surroundings when the length of the wire is 0.75 m. (3) Power dissipated =
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q20(c) (3 marks): The display of the smart meter in one household is shown. This shows the total electrical energy used in one day. 1 kW h is a unit of energy equivalent to 1 kW
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q4 (1 mark): Which of the following statements about physical quantities or units is correct? A Current is a derived quantity. B Power is a derived quantity. C The coulomb i
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q12(b) (4 marks): The student sets up the circuit and observes that the reading on the voltmeter is lower than the value calculated in (a). Explain two reasons for the lower volt
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q18(a) (6 marks): Determine the power dissipated in each of the resistors. resistance of each resistor = 2.0 Ω (6)
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q18(b) (2 marks): Explain, without further calculation, what would happen to the power dissipated by resistor A if resistor D were disconnected from the circuit. (2)
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q18(c) (4 marks): If the resistors in the circuit used in (a) were replaced with filament lamps, the resistance of each lamp would be different depending on the potential differe
October 2020, Unit 6, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State an additional component required in the circuit that would allow this relationship to be investigated. (1)
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q3 (1 mark): Which row in the table shows the total resistance if two 5 Ω resistors are connected in series and in parallel? Series Parallel A 2.5 Ω 10 Ω B 2.5 Ω 2.5 Ω C 10
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q4 (1 mark): The current‑potential difference graph for an ideal diode is shown. The graph has been labelled at three separate points by the letters X, Y and Z. Current Z X
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the total charge transferred during the lightning strike. (2) Total charge transferred =
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the power dissipated by the lightning strike. (2) Power dissipated =
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (4 marks): Draw a labelled diagram showing how she could carry out this investigation using school laboratory apparatus. (4)
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q8 (1 mark): Two copper wires of identical cross-sectional area are placed in series in a circuit. Which of the following could be different for the two wires? A charge carr
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q9 (1 mark): The definitions for current and potential difference both include A charge. B resistance. C time. D work done.
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q15(a) (3 marks): Derive an equation for the combined resistance RT for two resistors, R1 and R2 , in series. (3)
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q15(b) (3 marks): The diagram shows a circuit that includes a resistor combination. The battery has negligible internal resistance. R 6.0 ȍ 8.0 ȍ 16.0 ȍ A 7.0 V The ammeter displ
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q15(c)(i) (3 marks): In normal daylight, this particular type of LDR has a resistance of 670 ȍ. Calculate the power dissipated in the fixed resistor in normal daylight. resistance o

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