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Resistance: WJEC A‑Level Physics questions

Every WJEC A-Level Physics exam question on 2.2 Resistance, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions1,173
Calculations

1,173 questions

  1. Q1(b)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(i): Determine the length of Gwen’s wire. [4]

  2. Q2(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 2(a): Use data from the table to determine to what extent the filament lamp obeys Ohm’s law. [3]

  3. Q2(b)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    6 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 2(b): Explain, making reference to free electrons, why the resistance of the filament in a lamp increases as the potential difference across it increases during the s

  4. Q2(c)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 2(c): The graph shows how the resistance of a certain metal varies at low temperatures. Resistance / Ω 0 0 Temperature / K Explain what is meant by the ‘transition te

  5. Q2(d)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 2(d): Whilst developing a new compound, a team of university students found evidence that the compound had room temperature superconducting properties and published t

  6. Q6(b)(iii)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 4

    5 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 4, question 6(b)(iii): dimensions are shown in the diagram below: 2.00 mm thickness = 2.2 mm 3.8 cm Calculate the current in the square loop. [5]

  7. Q1(a)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 1(a): labelled: diameter 0.15 mm, resistivity 4.9 × 10–7Ω m. Calculate the length of wire that she should use. [3]

  8. Q1(b)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 1(b): Delyth tests this length of wire by placing it in the circuit shown. (29 + 1) mA A (1.60 + 0.01) V V Delyth concludes from the meter readings, shown on the diag

  9. Q3(b)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 3(b)(ii): I. [2] State the energy transfer that occurs in the 20 Ω resistor and explain, in II. terms of the motion of free electrons, how it takes place. [2]

  10. Q1(a)(i)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(i): Use the graph to obtain a value for the resistance at 0.0 cm and suggest the cause of this resistance. [2]

  11. Q1(a)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(ii): Discuss to what extent Emily’s results confirm that the variation of resistance of the wire with length is consistent with the equation: [3] ρl R = A

  12. Q1(a)(iii)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(iii): The wire used in the experiment has a mean diameter of 0.23 mm. Name a measuring instrument that could have been used to take this reading and state its likely

  13. Q1(a)(iv)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(iv): Use the graph and the mean diameter to determine the resistivity of the metal of the wire. [4]

  14. Q1(b)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 1(b): Emily used a 1.5 V cell in her experiment as she was concerned about the size of the electrical current in the wire. Suggest her reasons for using the 1.5 V cel

  15. Q1(a)(i)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(i): State Ohm’s law. [1]

  16. Q1(a)(ii)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(a)(ii): What can be said about the resistance of a conductor that obeys Ohm’s law? [1]

  17. Q1(b)(i)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(i): An electrical component, X, is included in the circuit shown. The internal resistance of the power supply is negligible. power supply 2.20 V A reading: 12 mA 12

  18. Q1(b)(ii)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(ii): ammeter increases, as shown below. power supply 2.20 V A reading: 55 mA 24 Ω X Evaluate whether or not X obeys Ohm’s law, presenting your argument clearly. [2]

  19. Q1(b)(iii)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(b)(iii): State, giving a reason, whether or not X could be a filament lamp. [1]

  20. Q1(c)(i)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.2 Resistance
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 2, question 1(c)(i): State what is meant by the transition temperature of a superconductor. [1]
All 42 questions on Resistance, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (4 marks): Determine the length of Gwen’s wire. [4]
  2. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): Use data from the table to determine to what extent the filament lamp obeys Ohm’s law. [3]
  3. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(b) (6 marks): Explain, making reference to free electrons, why the resistance of the filament in a lamp increases as the potential difference across it increases during the s
  4. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): The graph shows how the resistance of a certain metal varies at low temperatures. Resistance / Ω 0 0 Temperature / K Explain what is meant by the ‘transition te
  5. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(d) (2 marks): Whilst developing a new compound, a team of university students found evidence that the compound had room temperature superconducting properties and published t
  6. Summer 2024, Unit 4, Q6(b)(iii) (5 marks): dimensions are shown in the diagram below: 2.00 mm thickness = 2.2 mm 3.8 cm Calculate the current in the square loop. [5]
  7. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (3 marks): labelled: diameter 0.15 mm, resistivity 4.9 × 10–7Ω m. Calculate the length of wire that she should use. [3]
  8. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): Delyth tests this length of wire by placing it in the circuit shown. (29 + 1) mA A (1.60 + 0.01) V V Delyth concludes from the meter readings, shown on the diag
  9. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(ii) (4 marks): I. [2] State the energy transfer that occurs in the 20 Ω resistor and explain, in II. terms of the motion of free electrons, how it takes place. [2]
  10. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Use the graph to obtain a value for the resistance at 0.0 cm and suggest the cause of this resistance. [2]
  11. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Discuss to what extent Emily’s results confirm that the variation of resistance of the wire with length is consistent with the equation: [3] ρl R = A
  12. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): The wire used in the experiment has a mean diameter of 0.23 mm. Name a measuring instrument that could have been used to take this reading and state its likely
  13. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(iv) (4 marks): Use the graph and the mean diameter to determine the resistivity of the metal of the wire. [4]
  14. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Emily used a 1.5 V cell in her experiment as she was concerned about the size of the electrical current in the wire. Suggest her reasons for using the 1.5 V cel
  15. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State Ohm’s law. [1]
  16. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): What can be said about the resistance of a conductor that obeys Ohm’s law? [1]
  17. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): An electrical component, X, is included in the circuit shown. The internal resistance of the power supply is negligible. power supply 2.20 V A reading: 12 mA 12
  18. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): ammeter increases, as shown below. power supply 2.20 V A reading: 55 mA 24 Ω X Evaluate whether or not X obeys Ohm’s law, presenting your argument clearly. [2]
  19. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): State, giving a reason, whether or not X could be a filament lamp. [1]
  20. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the transition temperature of a superconductor. [1]
  21. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Give one possible use for a high temperature superconductor and state why it would be an advantage for the transition temperature to be above the boiling point
  22. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Bearing in mind the range of temperatures, suggest how the student heated the coil, and how he could have extended the range of temperatures down to just above
  23. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the readings plotted support the equation. [3]
  24. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q3(b)(ii) (4 marks): Determine from the graph the values, with units, of: I. R0; [1] α. II. [3]
  25. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q5(b) (3 marks): The aluminium wire has a circular cross-section of diameter 3.0 mm and the length of the wire through which the current flows is 91 cm. Show that the mean curre
  26. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q5(c) (5 marks): Iestyn claims that changing the shape of the coat hanger from Shape 1 to Shape 2 in 16 ms in the magnetic field will increase its temperature by less than 1 °C.
  27. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): the resistance of the coil; [2]
  28. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): the energy dissipated per hour, giving your answer in megajoules (MJ). [1]
  29. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q1(c) (3 marks): have to be burned in a gas-fired electricity power station. For each megajoule of heat from a domestic gas fire or boiler, approximately 0.03 m3 of gas is burne
  30. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): Explain why the current through the thermistor must be very low, in order for it to work properly as a probe to measure the temperature of its surroundings. [2]
  31. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (3 marks): Calculate the drift velocity of free electrons in the strip when there is a current of 8.0 A as shown. The free electron concentration, n, in the metal is 8.5 ×
  32. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): The resistance of the strip is 0.15 Ω from end to end. Calculate the energy transferred from electrical potential to thermal in the strip in a time of 20 s, for
  33. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the resistivity of the metal of the wire. [3]
  34. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the absolute uncertainty in the resistivity giving your value to an appropriate number of significant figures. [3]
  35. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Suggest one way in which the student could reduce the uncertainty in her value for the resistivity, using the same reel of wire and the same instruments as befo
  36. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Define the potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. [2]
  37. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw the circuit diagram for an investigation of how the current through a filament lamp varies with the applied potential difference. [2]
  38. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): The lamp is labelled “3 V, 0.16 A”. The ammeter to be used is a multimeter with a 0 – 200 mA range and a 0 – 10 A range. State which range should be selected, a
  39. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(iii) (2 marks): The lamp has already been investigated by a student, Sion, who plotted the graph reproduced below. State two ways in which his investigation (not his graph plot
  40. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the graph to calculate the ratio: [3] Resistance of lamp at 0.50 V
  41. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(b)(ii) (6 marks): Explain, in terms of free electrons, why the temperature and the resistance of a metal wire increase when the potential difference across the wire is increased.
  42. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q7(c) (3 marks): A scientist claims to have made a material which is superconducting at room temperature. He publishes his procedure. Several research teams try to follow the sa

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