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Resistivity: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 4.2.4 Resistivity, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q23(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(b)(ii): The axes below show a plot of R against l. Three points from the table have already been plotted. Plot the remaining points. [1]

  2. Q23(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(b)(iii): Draw on your plot a line of best fit. [1] 9.00 8.00 7.00 R / Ω 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 l / cm

  3. Q23(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(c): The wire is made of constantan which has a resistivity of 5.00 × 10–7Ω m. Use the gradient of the line of best fit to determine the diameter, d, of the wire. d

  4. Q23(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(d): The diagram below shows how the student uses the sliding contact to complete the circuit for a known length of wire. Wire 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 4 8 4 8 4 9 4 9 5 0 5

  5. Q3

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 3: A copper wire P has electrical resistance R and number density of charge carriers n. A copper wire Q has: • area of cross section equal to P • twice the length

  6. Q8

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 8: The diagram shows the relative lengths and diameters of two copper wires, labelled wire X and wire Y. wire X 2d 2L wire Y d L What is the ratio of the resistivi

  7. Q2(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 2(a)(i): Suggest how the student made these measurements. [2]

  8. Q2(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marks4.2.4 Resistivity2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 2(a)(ii): The student calculates the value of the diameter as d = 0.455 ± 0.005 mm. Explain how the student calculated the value of the diameter, and its uncertainty, fro

  9. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marks4.2.4 Resistivity4.3.2 Internal resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 2(b)(i): Show that 1 I = 4ρ ⎛ ⎞ πεd 2 L + r ⎝ ⎠ ε [3] Question 2 continues on page 6

  10. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    6 marks4.2.4 Resistivity4.3.2 Internal resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 2(b)(ii): The student plots a graph of 1 I against L. The data points, error bars, line of best fit and a line of worst fit are shown in the graph below. 4.0 1 A – 1 I 3.

  11. Q4

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 4: A student investigates a conducting wire of constant cross-sectional area, at constant temperature. The resistance R is measured for a range of lengths L. The f

  12. Q10

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 10: Resistance and resistivity are two quantities used to describe the behaviour of a conductor. How do these quantities change, if at all, when the length of a con

  13. Q18(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 18(b): State which physical quantity of the variable resistor is changed to alter its resistance. [1]

  14. Q25(c)(i)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    4 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 25(c)(i): Calculate the resistivity ρ of the metal from which the wire is made. ρ = Ω m [4]

  15. Q7(b)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 7(b): The filament in ring A is a metallic wire of length 11.8 m. At maximum power the wire has resistance 31 Ω and the metal has resistivity 4.8 × 10–7Ω m. Calculate

  16. Q1(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 1(b)(i): Calculate the resistance R of one length of wire. R = Ω [2]

  17. Q10

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 10: A resistance wire is part of an electrical circuit, as shown below. resistance wire A V The resistance wire is pulled so that it becomes longer and thinner. Whi

  18. Q12

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 12: A cylinder of conducting material has length 6.0 × 10−2 m and diameter 2.0 × 10−2 m. It has resistance 24 Ω. What is the resistivity of the material? A 0.13 Ω m

  19. Q23(b)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    5 marks4.1.1 Charge4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 23(b)(ii): The dome discharges slowly through the plastic rod. It takes 78 hours for the dome to completely discharge. 1 Show that the mean current I in the plastic rod is

  20. Q24(a)(ii)

    November 2020 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks4.2.4 Resistivity
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 AS Paper 1, question 24(a)(ii): The resistivity of graphite is ρ. Describe how the student can use the graph above, and an additional measuring instrument, to accurately determine ρ. No calcul
All 44 questions on Resistivity, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(b)(ii) (1 mark): The axes below show a plot of R against l. Three points from the table have already been plotted. Plot the remaining points. [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(b)(iii) (1 mark): Draw on your plot a line of best fit. [1] 9.00 8.00 7.00 R / Ω 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 l / cm
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(c) (4 marks): The wire is made of constantan which has a resistivity of 5.00 × 10–7Ω m. Use the gradient of the line of best fit to determine the diameter, d, of the wire. d
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(d) (3 marks): The diagram below shows how the student uses the sliding contact to complete the circuit for a known length of wire. Wire 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 4 8 4 8 4 9 4 9 5 0 5
  5. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): A copper wire P has electrical resistance R and number density of charge carriers n. A copper wire Q has: • area of cross section equal to P • twice the length
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): The diagram shows the relative lengths and diameters of two copper wires, labelled wire X and wire Y. wire X 2d 2L wire Y d L What is the ratio of the resistivi
  7. June 2023, Paper 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Suggest how the student made these measurements. [2]
  8. June 2023, Paper 3, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): The student calculates the value of the diameter as d = 0.455 ± 0.005 mm. Explain how the student calculated the value of the diameter, and its uncertainty, fro
  9. June 2023, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that 1 I = 4ρ ⎛ ⎞ πεd 2 L + r ⎝ ⎠ ε [3] Question 2 continues on page 6
  10. June 2023, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (6 marks): The student plots a graph of 1 I against L. The data points, error bars, line of best fit and a line of worst fit are shown in the graph below. 4.0 1 A – 1 I 3.
  11. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): A student investigates a conducting wire of constant cross-sectional area, at constant temperature. The resistance R is measured for a range of lengths L. The f
  12. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): Resistance and resistivity are two quantities used to describe the behaviour of a conductor. How do these quantities change, if at all, when the length of a con
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q18(b) (1 mark): State which physical quantity of the variable resistor is changed to alter its resistance. [1]
  14. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q25(c)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the resistivity ρ of the metal from which the wire is made. ρ = Ω m [4]
  15. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q7(b) (3 marks): The filament in ring A is a metallic wire of length 11.8 m. At maximum power the wire has resistance 31 Ω and the metal has resistivity 4.8 × 10–7Ω m. Calculate
  16. November 2021, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the resistance R of one length of wire. R = Ω [2]
  17. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): A resistance wire is part of an electrical circuit, as shown below. resistance wire A V The resistance wire is pulled so that it becomes longer and thinner. Whi
  18. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): A cylinder of conducting material has length 6.0 × 10−2 m and diameter 2.0 × 10−2 m. It has resistance 24 Ω. What is the resistivity of the material? A 0.13 Ω m
  19. November 2020, Paper 2, Q23(b)(ii) (5 marks): The dome discharges slowly through the plastic rod. It takes 78 hours for the dome to completely discharge. 1 Show that the mean current I in the plastic rod is
  20. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q24(a)(ii) (3 marks): The resistivity of graphite is ρ. Describe how the student can use the graph above, and an additional measuring instrument, to accurately determine ρ. No calcul
  21. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the resistivity ρ of the material of the wire. ρ = Ω m [2]
  22. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(c) (2 marks): Nichrome is a metal. Silicon is a semiconductor. State how the number density of charge carriers n and the resistivity ρ of silicon compare with that of nichrom
  23. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(c)(i) (2 marks): On Fig. 18.2 draw the straight line of best fit. Determine the gradient of this line. gradient = A–1 m–1 [2]
  24. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(c)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the gradient of the line is ρ AE, where ρ is the resistivity of the material of the wire, A is the area of cross-section of the wire and E is the e.m.
  25. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(c)(iii) (2 marks): The e.m.f. E of the cell is 1.5 V. The diameter of the wire is 0.38 mm. Use your answer to (i) and the equation given in (ii) to determine ρ. ρ = Ω m [2]
  26. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(c)(iv) (2 marks): Fig. 18.3 illustrates how the student had incorrectly measured all the lengths L of the wire. X movable contact Y wire taped to metre rule measured length metre
  27. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): The resistance of a wire of length L is 3.00 Ω. The wire is extended so that its length becomes 1.50L. Its volume remains the same. What is the resistance of th
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (8 marks): Fig. 16.2 shows the components L and R connected in series to a battery of e.m.f. 6.0 V. 6.0 V r L R Fig. 16.2 The resistor R is a cylindrical rod of length 8.0
  29. June 2018, Paper 3, Q1(a) (6 marks): This question is about a resistance wire made of nichrome. (a)* It is suggested that the resistance R of a length of nichrome wire varies with temperature θ in
  30. June 2018, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the length of wire wound on the heating element is 5.3 m. [2]
  31. June 2018, Paper 3, Q1(b)(iii) (3 marks): Use the information given in (i) and (ii) to determine the swg number of the wire used as the heating element. swg number = [3]
  32. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Wire P has length L, diameter d and a resistance of 1.00 Ω. Another wire Q made from the same metal has length 3L and diameter 2d. What is the resistance of wir
  33. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q24(b) (3 marks): Fig. 24 shows a circuit with a battery and two resistors. X 3.0 V Y Fig. 24 The resistor X has length 8.0 × 10−3 m, cross-sectional area 1.2 mm2 and is made of
  34. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the student should measure precisely the diameter of the wire. [2] The student measures the resistance R of the whole cable as 1.86 ± 0.02 Ω. The le
  35. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(ii) (3 marks): Determine the resistivity ρ of copper. ρ = Ω m [3]
  36. June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the total resistance R of the wires is given by the equation R = 12ρL πd2 . [2]
  37. June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (6 marks): A student uses the equation in (i) to determine R. The table below shows the data recorded by the student in her lab book. Quantity Value 4.7 × 10−7Ω m ρ 9.5 ±
  38. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): The heating element is constructed from a metallic wire of resistivity 1.6 × 10−6Ω m. The radius of the wire is 0.55 mm. Determine the length L of the metallic
  39. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why the student uses large metal plates at the ends of the conducting putty. [1]
  40. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the student can check that the diameter of the conducting putty is constant. [2]
  41. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table for the missing value of L2. [1]
  42. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(d)(i) (2 marks): Plot the missing data point and draw the straight line of best fit. [2]
  43. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(d)(ii) (2 marks): Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. gradient = [2] 13 R / Ω 60 50 40 30 20 10 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 L2 / 10–3 m2 Fig. 5.3
  44. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(e) (3 marks): The relationship between R and L is R = ρ V L2 where ρ is the resistivity of the conducting putty and V is the volume. Use your answer to (d)(ii) and V = 1.9 ×

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