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D.C. circuits: WJEC A‑Level Physics questions

Every WJEC A-Level Physics exam question on 2.3 D.C. circuits, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,173 questions

  1. Q3(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 3(a): Define the emf of a cell. [2]

  2. Q3(b)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 3(b)(i): [2]

  3. Q3(b)(ii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 3(b)(ii): Bryn states that the maximum power dissipation in the resistor, R, occurs when its resistance is equal to the internal resistance of the battery. Use the graph

  4. Q2(a)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 2(a)(i): the currents (only); [1]

  5. Q2(a)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 2(a)(ii): the potential differences (only). [1]

  6. Q2(b)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(i): Show clearly that when the sliding contact is at Y, Vout = 8.0 V. [2]

  7. Q2(b)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(ii): Determine the value of Vout when the sliding contact is at X. [1]

  8. Q2(c)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 2(c): The circuit in (b) is to be modified to produce Vout ranging from 2 V to 10 V. The 12 V battery and the 20 Ω resistor with sliding contact are still to be used.

  9. Q3(a)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 3(a)(i): Explain what this statement means. [2]

  10. Q3(a)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 3(a)(ii): State why it is usually a disadvantage for a battery to have an internal resistance. [1]

  11. Q3(b)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 3(b)(i): Use the information shown on the circuit diagram to calculate: I. the resistance, R. [2] II. the internal resistance, r. [2]

  12. Q3(b)(iii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 3(b)(iii): Dafydd claims that if R is replaced by a higher resistance, but no other changes are made, the power dissipation in the 20 Ω resistor will increase. Evaluate th

  13. Q2(a)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 2(a): Define the emf of a cell. [2]

  14. Q2(b)(i)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(i): [1]

  15. Q2(b)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(ii): Determine the value of the internal resistance of each individual cell. [3]

  16. Q2(b)(iii)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(iii): Calculate the total power dissipated in the internal resistance of the 6.00 V battery. [2]

  17. Q2(b)(iv)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 2(b)(iv): Resistor X is now replaced with a different resistor, Y. Resistor Y has half the resistance of resistor X. Seren states ‘as the resistance is halved, the power

  18. Q1(a)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 2, question 1(a): The manufacturer claims that the emf of the cell is 1.50 V. Explain, in terms of energy, what this statement means. [2]

  19. Q1(b)(i)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(i): Explain how Anwen’s graph is in good agreement with this equation. [2]

  20. Q1(b)(ii)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.3 D.C. circuits
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(ii): Calculate the gradient of the line and hence determine a value for the cell’s internal resistance. [2]
All 45 questions on D.C. circuits, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Define the emf of a cell. [2]
  2. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): [2]
  3. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Bryn states that the maximum power dissipation in the resistor, R, occurs when its resistance is equal to the internal resistance of the battery. Use the graph
  4. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): the currents (only); [1]
  5. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): the potential differences (only). [1]
  6. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Show clearly that when the sliding contact is at Y, Vout = 8.0 V. [2]
  7. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Determine the value of Vout when the sliding contact is at X. [1]
  8. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): The circuit in (b) is to be modified to produce Vout ranging from 2 V to 10 V. The 12 V battery and the 20 Ω resistor with sliding contact are still to be used.
  9. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain what this statement means. [2]
  10. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why it is usually a disadvantage for a battery to have an internal resistance. [1]
  11. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(i) (4 marks): Use the information shown on the circuit diagram to calculate: I. the resistance, R. [2] II. the internal resistance, r. [2]
  12. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): Dafydd claims that if R is replaced by a higher resistance, but no other changes are made, the power dissipation in the 20 Ω resistor will increase. Evaluate th
  13. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Define the emf of a cell. [2]
  14. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): [1]
  15. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Determine the value of the internal resistance of each individual cell. [3]
  16. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the total power dissipated in the internal resistance of the 6.00 V battery. [2]
  17. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iv) (3 marks): Resistor X is now replaced with a different resistor, Y. Resistor Y has half the resistance of resistor X. Seren states ‘as the resistance is halved, the power
  18. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): The manufacturer claims that the emf of the cell is 1.50 V. Explain, in terms of energy, what this statement means. [2]
  19. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how Anwen’s graph is in good agreement with this equation. [2]
  20. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the gradient of the line and hence determine a value for the cell’s internal resistance. [2]
  21. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Evaluate the manufacturer’s claim that the emf is 1.50 V. [1]
  22. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph to determine the greatest current the cell can supply. [1]
  23. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the resistance of the variable resistor when the current is at its maximum. [1]
  24. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain, in clear steps, why the current, x, is 0.30 A. [3]
  25. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the pd across the supply. [3]
  26. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): fifth that dissipated by the 40 Ω resistor. [3]
  27. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): A battery does not store charge. State what a battery does do in relation to charge in an electric circuit. [1]
  28. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Show clearly that the current is approximately 3 A. [The space is for a diagram if required.] [3]
  29. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the rate (in watts) at which: I. energy is dissipated by the electromagnet; [1] II. the battery’s chemical energy is being used. [1]
  30. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): The answer to (b)(ii)II. is expected to be greater than the answer to (b)(ii)I. Explain where the missing energy goes. [2]
  31. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): A student wishes to maximise the current through the electromagnet. She has a spare cell of emf 1.50 V and internal resistance 0.50 Ω. Evaluate whether or not s
  32. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): State in terms of work or energy what is meant by the emf of a battery. [2]
  33. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): [2]
  34. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(iii) (5 marks): When the resistors are connected in parallel as shown below, the voltmeter reads 3.35 V. Diagram 2 r 3.30 Ω 3.30 Ω V (I) Without further calculation explain why
  35. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): The resistance, Rth, of the thermistor in the circuit varies with temperature as shown in the graph. 9 Rth / kΩ 8 7 6 Rth 5 6.00 V 4 V 1.00 kΩ 3 2 1 0 0 10 20 3
  36. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): The set-up can be used as a thermometer, with the thermistor used as a temperature probe. David suggests that there must be a simple rule of the type “an increa
  37. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Requirement A: an output pd, Vout, of 3.0 V when unloaded (switch open). [2]
  38. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Requirement B: a power dissipation of less than 0.50 W in R1 when unloaded (switch open). [2]
  39. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q3(c) (4 marks): Requirement C: a decrease of less than 0.40 V in Vout when the switch is closed. [4]
  40. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the expected reading on the voltmeter when the switch is open. [1]
  41. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): With the switch closed the voltmeter reads 1.38 V. Show in clear steps that the cell’s internal resistance, r, is approximately 0.3 Ω. [3]
  42. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): 750 J of the cell’s energy is dissipated in total while the switch is closed. Calculate the time for which the switch is closed. [2]
  43. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the voltmeter reading when the 1.50 Ω resistor is replaced by a 0.75 Ω resistor, and the switch is closed. [2]
  44. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the voltmeter reading when the resistance of the LDR is 850 Ω and the switch is closed. [2]
  45. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain, in clear steps, whether the voltmeter reading will increase or decrease when the intensity of light is increased. [2]

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