plumiSeries and parallel circuits: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions
Edexcel International A Level Physics past-paper questions on 2.4.1.3 Series and parallel circuits, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q16(b)(i)
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All 35 questions on Series and parallel circuits, as a list
- 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(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, 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
- 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, 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
- 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
- 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, Q18(a)(ii) (4 marks): Determine the potential difference across the battery. (4) Potential difference =
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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 =
- 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, 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
- 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, 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
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