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Potential dividers: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 4.3.3 Potential dividers, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q16(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 16(a): State the name of the circuit arrangement of the battery, variable resistor and resistor in this circuit. [1]

  2. Q16(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 16(c): State how the readings on the ammeter and the voltmeter change when the resistance of the variable resistor is increased. Ammeter reading Voltmeter reading [2]

  3. Q23(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(a): Show that the resistance, R, of a length of this wire in terms of the p.d. across it, V, is given by the expression R = 33 V 3.0 – V. [2]

  4. Q23(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(b)(i): Use the expression given in (a) to complete the two missing R values in the table. [2]

  5. Q3(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(b)(i): At a temperature of 20 °C, the resistance of the thermistor is 2.6 kΩ. Calculate the voltmeter reading V. V = V [2]

  6. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(b)(ii): The student places the thermistor in hot water. At a temperature of 60 °C, the voltmeter reads 3.2 V. Calculate the resistance R of the thermistor. R = Ω [2]

  7. Q3(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(b)(iii): The student replaces the resistor of resistance 1.2 kΩ with a resistor of resistance 120 kΩ. Suggest why 120 kΩ is not a sensible value to use to measure the te

  8. Q4(b)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    6 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 4(b): A student has a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 2.2 V. (b)* The student has two cells A and B, the battery of e.m.f. 2.2 V and a potentiometer. The pote

  9. Q16(d)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 16(d): The thermistor is used in a temperature‑sensing circuit for a heating system to warm milk for a baby. The student considers two possible designs for the circuit

  10. Q23(b)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    4 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 23(b): The circuit diagram shows a potential divider circuit using a thermistor to detect changes in temperature. The LED switches on to indicate when the temperature

  11. Q23(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(c)(i): Calculate the output voltage range obtained in this experiment. range = V [2]

  12. Q23(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(c)(ii): Describe two ways the output voltage range could be increased. 1 2 [2]

  13. Q23(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(c)(iii): Explain how the circuit responds to a change in light intensity. [1]

  14. Q6

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 6: A potential divider circuit is shown below. 9.0 V V The battery has electromotive force (e.m.f.) 9.0 V and negligible internal resistance. At room temperature t

  15. Q25(b)(i)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 25(b)(i): The distance x is changed by moving the slider from A to B. On Fig. 25.2, show the variation of V with distance x. V / V 1.5 00 x L Fig. 25.2 [2]

  16. Q25(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 25(b)(ii): The connecting wire BC is now removed. The rest of the circuit remains unchanged. Explain the variation of V with distance x as S is moved from A to B. [2]

  17. Q7

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 7: A circuit with a thermistor is shown below. + – The resistance of the resistor is R and the resistance of the thermistor is 2.5R. The potential difference (p.d.

  18. Q2(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(a)(i): When the LDR is covered, its resistance is 3000 Ω. Calculate the voltmeter reading. voltmeter reading = V [2]

  19. Q2(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(a)(ii): When fully illuminated, the resistance of the LDR is 100 Ω. Show that the voltmeter reading changes by more than 7 V. [1] Question 2 is continued on page 6

  20. Q23(c)(ii)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks4.3.3 Potential dividers
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 23(c)(ii): Use the graph to calculate the resistance of the thermistor at t = T. resistance = Ω [3]
All 35 questions on Potential dividers, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q16(a) (1 mark): State the name of the circuit arrangement of the battery, variable resistor and resistor in this circuit. [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q16(c) (2 marks): State how the readings on the ammeter and the voltmeter change when the resistance of the variable resistor is increased. Ammeter reading Voltmeter reading [2]
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(a) (2 marks): Show that the resistance, R, of a length of this wire in terms of the p.d. across it, V, is given by the expression R = 33 V 3.0 – V. [2]
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the expression given in (a) to complete the two missing R values in the table. [2]
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): At a temperature of 20 °C, the resistance of the thermistor is 2.6 kΩ. Calculate the voltmeter reading V. V = V [2]
  6. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The student places the thermistor in hot water. At a temperature of 60 °C, the voltmeter reads 3.2 V. Calculate the resistance R of the thermistor. R = Ω [2]
  7. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): The student replaces the resistor of resistance 1.2 kΩ with a resistor of resistance 120 kΩ. Suggest why 120 kΩ is not a sensible value to use to measure the te
  8. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q4(b) (6 marks): A student has a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 2.2 V. (b)* The student has two cells A and B, the battery of e.m.f. 2.2 V and a potentiometer. The pote
  9. June 2024, Paper 2, Q16(d) (4 marks): The thermistor is used in a temperature‑sensing circuit for a heating system to warm milk for a baby. The student considers two possible designs for the circuit
  10. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q23(b) (4 marks): The circuit diagram shows a potential divider circuit using a thermistor to detect changes in temperature. The LED switches on to indicate when the temperature
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the output voltage range obtained in this experiment. range = V [2]
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two ways the output voltage range could be increased. 1 2 [2]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(c)(iii) (1 mark): Explain how the circuit responds to a change in light intensity. [1]
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): A potential divider circuit is shown below. 9.0 V V The battery has electromotive force (e.m.f.) 9.0 V and negligible internal resistance. At room temperature t
  15. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q25(b)(i) (2 marks): The distance x is changed by moving the slider from A to B. On Fig. 25.2, show the variation of V with distance x. V / V 1.5 00 x L Fig. 25.2 [2]
  16. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q25(b)(ii) (2 marks): The connecting wire BC is now removed. The rest of the circuit remains unchanged. Explain the variation of V with distance x as S is moved from A to B. [2]
  17. November 2021, Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): A circuit with a thermistor is shown below. + – The resistance of the resistor is R and the resistance of the thermistor is 2.5R. The potential difference (p.d.
  18. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): When the LDR is covered, its resistance is 3000 Ω. Calculate the voltmeter reading. voltmeter reading = V [2]
  19. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): When fully illuminated, the resistance of the LDR is 100 Ω. Show that the voltmeter reading changes by more than 7 V. [1] Question 2 is continued on page 6
  20. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q23(c)(ii) (3 marks): Use the graph to calculate the resistance of the thermistor at t = T. resistance = Ω [3]
  21. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q6 (6 marks): 6* The table shows some of the properties of a light dependent resistor (LDR). Resistance of LDR / Ω 2.0 × 102 Very bright 2.0 × 103 Daylight 2.0 × 105 Very dar
  22. November 2020, Paper 2, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): The student thought that the LED would switch on. Instead, the LED was found to repeatedly switch on and off. Explain this behaviour of the LED in this potentia
  23. November 2020, Paper 2, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a possible refinement so that the LED switches on permanently when taken into the dark room. [1]
  24. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): A potential divider circuit is shown below. fixed resistor R V The resistance of the variable resistor is R. The potential difference across the variable resist
  25. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): Which circuit below can be used to monitor the variation of light intensity in a room? A A A A A B C D Your answer [1]
  26. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a potential divider circuit. 4.0 V V The minimum resistance of the variable resistor is zero and its maximum resistance is 3R, where R i
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q17 (6 marks): 17* A metal circular plate is rotated at a constant frequency by an electric motor. The plate has a small hole close to its rim. Fig. 17.1 shows an arrangement
  28. June 2017, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): A circuit is shown below. X Y The battery has negligible internal resistance. The temperature of the NTC thermistor is decreased. Which of the following stateme
  29. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (5 marks): Fig. 4.3 shows how the resistance of the LDR varies with light intensity. The electronic switch closes when V across XY is 4.0 V and opens when V across XY is 2
  30. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): A potential divider circuit with a light-dependent resistor (LDR) is shown below. V A The intensity of the light incident on the LDR is reduced. Which row corre
  31. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): When the temperature of the thermistor is 12 °C the thermistor has a resistance of 6.8 kΩ. The resistance of the variable resistor is set to a value of 1.4 kΩ.
  32. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (4 marks): Explain how the reading on the voltmeter will change when the temperature of the thermistor increases. [4] Question 5 begins on page 16
  33. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the resistance RLDR of the LDR is 6800 Ω. [2]
  34. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the current I delivered by the battery. I = A [1]
  35. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q4(c) (4 marks): The circuit is moved so that the LDR is now in sunlight. Without reference to the potential divider equation, describe and explain how the readings on the ammet

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