plumiSeries and parallel circuits: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions
Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 4.3.1 Series and parallel circuits, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q16(e)
The whole paper ↗
Q7(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 7(a)(iii): Show that the total resistance of the resistors between P and Q is 250 Ω. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15602-jun24-07-aiii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q6(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 6(c)(i): Show that the resistance of R is 120 Ω. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15602-jun23-06-ci-qp.webp?v=3)
![June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 2: Which term is not used in either of Kirchhoff’s two laws? A charge B current C electromotive force D potential difference Your answer [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15601-jun22-02-qp.webp?v=3)
Q18(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(a)(i): On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the direction of the conventional current. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-nov21-18-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q18(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(a)(ii): Calculate the current I shown by the ammeter. I = A [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-nov21-18-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q25(b)
The whole paper ↗
Q18(a)
The whole paper ↗![June 2019 Paper 2, question 18(a): State Kirchhoff’s second law and the physical quantity that is conserved according to this law. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-jun19-18-a-qp.webp?v=3)
Q19(b)
The whole paper ↗![June 2019 Paper 2, question 19(b): Calculate the e.m.f. E of the power supply. E = V [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-jun19-19-b-qp.webp?v=3)
Q23(b)
The whole paper ↗
Q4(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 4(a)(i): Show that the total resistance in the circuit is 50 Ω. Make your reasoning clear. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15602-jun19-04-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 4(a)(ii): Calculate the potential difference V across resistor Y. V = V [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15602-jun19-04-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q18(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2017 Paper 2, question 18(a)(i): The e.m.f. of the power supply is set at 4.2 V. Calculate the current I in the 33 Ω resistor. I = A [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-jun17-18-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q18(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2017 Paper 2, question 18(a)(ii): The e.m.f. of the variable supply is now slowly decreased from 4.2 V to 0 V. Describe the effect on the current I in the 33 Ω resistor. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-jun17-18-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
All 24 questions on Series and parallel circuits, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q16(e) (4 marks): This question is about a clockwise circuit loop starting at X. This loop is shown beneath the graph. Assume the battery has negligible internal resistance. The
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): Four resistors, each of resistance 10 Ω, are connected in a network, as shown. X Y What is the total resistance between points X and Y? A 2.5 Ω B 10 Ω C 25 Ω D
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): A 1.0 kΩ resistor is connected in series to a battery made of three 1.2 V cells connected as shown. The cells have negligible internal resistance. 1.2 V 1.2 V 1
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a network of four resistors. 100 Ω P 200 Ω 100 Ω Q 200 Ω What is the total resistance between the points P and Q? A 50 Ω B 133 Ω C 150 Ω
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Show that the total resistance of the resistors between P and Q is 250 Ω. [1]
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Show that the resistance of R is 120 Ω. [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which term is not used in either of Kirchhoff’s two laws? A charge B current C electromotive force D potential difference Your answer [1]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A resistor of resistance 12 Ω is connected in parallel with another resistor of resistance R. The total resistance of the circuit is 4.0 Ω. What is the value of
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f) 6.0 V and of negligible internal resistance is used in the circuit below. 30 mA 10 mA Y 6.0 V X Z The current from the
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the direction of the conventional current. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the current I shown by the ammeter. I = A [3]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q25(b) (3 marks): The diagram below shows part of an electrical circuit connected by the student. A 6.0 V The lamps are identical. The graph below shows the I -V characteristic o
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(a) (2 marks): State Kirchhoff’s second law and the physical quantity that is conserved according to this law. [2]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q19(b) (3 marks): Calculate the e.m.f. E of the power supply. E = V [3]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q23(b) (4 marks): This question is about two identical filament lamps. Fig. 23.2 shows the I-V characteristic of each lamp. 0.5 I /A 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 00 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 V
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that the total resistance in the circuit is 50 Ω. Make your reasoning clear. [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the potential difference V across resistor Y. V = V [2]
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): Three resistors are connected in a circuit. 20.0 Ω 10.0 Ω 10.0 Ω The resistance of each resistor is shown in the circuit diagram. What is the total resistance o
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q18(a)(i) (3 marks): The e.m.f. of the power supply is set at 4.2 V. Calculate the current I in the 33 Ω resistor. I = A [3]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q18(a)(ii) (2 marks): The e.m.f. of the variable supply is now slowly decreased from 4.2 V to 0 V. Describe the effect on the current I in the 33 Ω resistor. [2]
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(a) (6 marks): (a)* You are given an unmarked sealed square box which has four identical terminals at each corner. Fig 4.1 shows the circuit diagram for the contents of the bo
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Two resistors of resistances 120 Ω and 500 Ω are connected in parallel. The percentage uncertainty in the value of resistance of each resistor is 10%. What is t
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a circuit connected by a student. 20 Ω X 30 Ω 20 Ω 30 Ω Y What is the total resistance of the circuit between points X and Y? A 24 Ω B 2
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): Two batteries are connected in a circuit with a lamp as shown. 5.0 V 3.0 V X Y The batteries have e.m.f. 5.0 V and 3.0 V. Which row is correct? Direction of con
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