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Charging and discharging capacitors: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q22(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    6 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 22(d): (d)* A student creates a spreadsheet to model the discharge of a different capacitor through a resistor. Fig. 22.1a shows part of the spreadsheet and some impor

  2. Q8

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 8: A student is using a spreadsheet to model the decay of charge on a capacitor. They are using the equation ΔQ Δt = – Q 2.5 . The student chooses a time interval

  3. Q2(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(a): Show that T = (ln 2)N 2RC. [2]

  4. Q2(c)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(c): The results table is repeated below. Complete the last column for N = 1 and N = 2 in the table below. T / s N 1 2 3 Mean 1 14.7 14.1 14.3 2 50.3 49.6 50.1 3 126

  5. Q2(d)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    4 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(d)(i): Complete the graph below and plot the 6 results from the table. You are not expected to include error bars. [4] 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 N2

  6. Q2(d)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(d)(ii): Draw a straight line of best fit on the graph. [1]

  7. Q2(d)(iii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(d)(iii): Calculate the gradient of the straight line of best fit. gradient = s [2]

  8. Q2(d)(iv)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(d)(iv): The value of C is known to be 1000 μF ± 5%. Use your gradient value from (iii) to find a value for R, in units of k Ω, including an absolute uncertainty. R = ±

  9. Q2(e)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(e)(ii): Explain the effect that this error would have had on the calculated value of R. [1]

  10. Q20(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(a): Draw a circuit diagram for this experiment. [2]

  11. Q20(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(c): Use a calculation to explain why it will not be possible to measure the variation of p.d. across the capacitor with time, using a stop watch. [4]

  12. Q20(d)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(d): State how this experiment can be modified to measure the variation of p.d. across the capacitor with time as the capacitor charges. [1]

  13. Q20(e)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(e)(i): Calculate the time t required for the p.d. across the capacitor to reach 4.12 V when discharging. t = s [2]

  14. Q22(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 22(b)(i): The student decides to plot T against R to obtain a straight-line graph. Show that the line has gradient = C ln2. [2]

  15. Q22(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    5 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors6.2.3 Uniform electric field
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 22(b)(ii): The data points plotted by the student are shown below. 0.12 T / s 0.10 0.08 0.06 10 12 14 16 18 20 R / MΩ 1 Draw a best-fit straight line through the data poin

  16. Q6(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(a): Define the time constant of a circuit containing a capacitor of capacitance C and a resistor of resistance R. [1]

  17. Q6(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(b)(ii): Fig. 6.3 shows the variation of the charge Q on the positive plate of the capacitor with time t. 8.0 6.0 Q / μC 4.0 2.0 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 t /ms Fig. 6

  18. Q6(b)(iii)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(b)(iii): By drawing a suitable tangent to the graph in Fig. 6.3, calculate the maximum current in the resistor. maximum current = A [2]

  19. Q6(b)(iv)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    3 marks6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(b)(iv): On Fig. 6.4 below, sketch the variation of the current I in the resistor with time t. Include an appropriate label and scale on the vertical axis. 0 10 20 30 40

  20. Q6

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 6: A student is modelling the decay of charge for a capacitor discharging through a resistor using the equation ∆Q ∆t = – 0.2Q. The student decides to use ∆t = 0.5
All 37 questions on Charging and discharging capacitors, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q22(d) (6 marks): (d)* A student creates a spreadsheet to model the discharge of a different capacitor through a resistor. Fig. 22.1a shows part of the spreadsheet and some impor
  2. June 2024, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): A student is using a spreadsheet to model the decay of charge on a capacitor. They are using the equation ΔQ Δt = – Q 2.5 . The student chooses a time interval
  3. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): Show that T = (ln 2)N 2RC. [2]
  4. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(c) (1 mark): The results table is repeated below. Complete the last column for N = 1 and N = 2 in the table below. T / s N 1 2 3 Mean 1 14.7 14.1 14.3 2 50.3 49.6 50.1 3 126
  5. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(d)(i) (4 marks): Complete the graph below and plot the 6 results from the table. You are not expected to include error bars. [4] 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 N2
  6. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(d)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a straight line of best fit on the graph. [1]
  7. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(d)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the gradient of the straight line of best fit. gradient = s [2]
  8. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(d)(iv) (2 marks): The value of C is known to be 1000 μF ± 5%. Use your gradient value from (iii) to find a value for R, in units of k Ω, including an absolute uncertainty. R = ±
  9. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(e)(ii) (1 mark): Explain the effect that this error would have had on the calculated value of R. [1]
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(a) (2 marks): Draw a circuit diagram for this experiment. [2]
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(c) (4 marks): Use a calculation to explain why it will not be possible to measure the variation of p.d. across the capacitor with time, using a stop watch. [4]
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(d) (1 mark): State how this experiment can be modified to measure the variation of p.d. across the capacitor with time as the capacitor charges. [1]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(e)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the time t required for the p.d. across the capacitor to reach 4.12 V when discharging. t = s [2]
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): The student decides to plot T against R to obtain a straight-line graph. Show that the line has gradient = C ln2. [2]
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q22(b)(ii) (5 marks): The data points plotted by the student are shown below. 0.12 T / s 0.10 0.08 0.06 10 12 14 16 18 20 R / MΩ 1 Draw a best-fit straight line through the data poin
  16. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(a) (1 mark): Define the time constant of a circuit containing a capacitor of capacitance C and a resistor of resistance R. [1]
  17. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 6.3 shows the variation of the charge Q on the positive plate of the capacitor with time t. 8.0 6.0 Q / μC 4.0 2.0 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 t /ms Fig. 6
  18. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): By drawing a suitable tangent to the graph in Fig. 6.3, calculate the maximum current in the resistor. maximum current = A [2]
  19. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(b)(iv) (3 marks): On Fig. 6.4 below, sketch the variation of the current I in the resistor with time t. Include an appropriate label and scale on the vertical axis. 0 10 20 30 40
  20. November 2021, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): A student is modelling the decay of charge for a capacitor discharging through a resistor using the equation ∆Q ∆t = – 0.2Q. The student decides to use ∆t = 0.5
  21. November 2021, Paper 2, Q20(a) (4 marks): The diagram below shows a circuit to charge a capacitor. 1.48 V The electromotive force (e.m.f.) E of the cell is 1.48 V and it has negligible internal resistan
  22. November 2021, Paper 2, Q20(b) (4 marks): A capacitor of capacitance C is connected across a strip of conductive paper. X Y L 6.00 V V C conductive paper The switch is moved from X to Y, and the time t
  23. November 2020, Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a circuit used to charge a capacitor. 10 V + – C R The power supply has electromotive force (e.m.f.) 10 V and negligible internal resist
  24. November 2020, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): A capacitor discharges through a resistor. At time t = 0 the potential difference V across the capacitor is V0. At time t = 2.0 s, V = 0.90 V0. Which statement
  25. November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(c) (1 mark): The experiment is repeated with a resistor of resistance 10 kΩ placed in series between S and the capacitor of capacitance C0. State with a reason what effect,
  26. June 2019, Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): A capacitor is charged through a resistor. 1.50 V The cell has electromotive force (e.m.f.) 1.50 V and negligible internal resistance. The time constant of the
  27. June 2019, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): A capacitor is discharged through a resistor. A The capacitor is fully charged at time t = 0. The time constant of the circuit is 10 s. The switch is closed at
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): A capacitor is charged through a resistor. The cell has e.m.f. 1.50 V and negligible internal resistance. The capacitor is initially uncharged. The time constan
  29. June 2018, Paper 2, Q22(a) (2 marks): Show that the magnitude of the gradient of the line shown in Fig. 22 is equal to 1 CR where C is the capacitance of the capacitor and R is the resistance of the
  30. June 2018, Paper 2, Q22(b) (6 marks): A student wishes to determine the permittivity ε of paper using a capacitor made in the laboratory. The capacitor consists of two large parallel aluminium plate
  31. June 2017, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): A capacitor discharges through a resistor. At time t = 0, the charge stored by the capacitor is 600 μC. The capacitor loses 5.0 % of its charge every second. Wh
  32. June 2017, Paper 2, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): The switch S is closed at time t = 0. There is zero potential difference across the capacitors at t = 0. Calculate the potential difference V across the resisto
  33. June 2017, Paper 3, Q3(a) (2 marks): The student decides to plot a graph of ln (V / V) on the y-axis against R 15 . a straight line graph. Show that the magnitude of the gradient is equal to C [2]
  34. June 2017, Paper 3, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Complete the missing value of ln (V / V) and its absolute uncertainty in the table above.
  35. June 2017, Paper 3, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use the data to complete the graph of Fig. 3.2. Four of the six points have been plotted for you. [2] 2.2 2.0 In (V / V) 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10 12.5
  36. June 2017, Paper 3, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Use the graph to determine a value for C. Include the absolute uncertainty and an appropriate unit in your answer. C = ± unit [4]
  37. June 2017, Paper 3, Q3(c) (2 marks): Determine the value of R, in kΩ, for which the capacitor discharges to 10% of its original potential difference in 15.0 s. Show your working. R = kΩ [2]

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