Circuits

Q1.
X, Y and Z are three networks of resistors.

Which gives the networks in order of largest total resistance to smallest total resistance?

A X, Y, Z

B Y, X, Z

C Z, X, Y

D Z, Y, X

(Total 1 mark)

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Q2.
The diagram shows the currents in part of a circuit.

What is the potential difference between points P and Q?

A 60 V
B 70 V
C 180 V
D 270 V
(Total 1 mark)

Q3.
The potential difference between points X and Y is V.

What is the potential difference between P and Q?

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 A zero

(Total 1 mark)

Q4.
Which value of resistance cannot be made by combining three 10 Ω resistors?

A 3.3 Ω
B 6.7 Ω
C 15 Ω
D 25 Ω
(Total 1 mark)

Q5.
The diagram shows a circuit containing three resistors X, Y and Z.

X and Y each have resistance R.

Z has resistance 2R.

What is ?

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 B

C 2

D 4

(Total 1 mark)

Q6.
A battery of emf 7.4 V and negligible internal resistance is used to power a heating
element inside a glove. The heating element has a resistance of 3.7 Ω.

(a) The designers state that the battery can produce a current of 2.0 A in the heating
element for 240 minutes.

Calculate the energy dissipated in the heating element in this time.

energy dissipated = ____________________ J

(3)

(b) The length of the heating element needed is about 0.85 m.

The designer considers using a carbon fibre tape for the heating element.
The table gives information for the carbon fibre tape.

Cross-sectional area / m2 Resistivity / Ω m

4.9 × 10–6 2.0 × 10–5

Deduce whether the carbon fibre tape is suitable for making the heating element for
the glove.

(2)

(c) A light emitting diode (LED) is used to indicate that the switch in the glove is closed,
as shown in Figure 1. Resistor R limits the current in the LED.

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 Figure 1

Figure 2 shows part of the characteristic graph for the LED.

Figure 2

The circuit is designed so that the potential difference across the LED is 2.2 V when
the switch is closed.

Calculate the resistance of R.

resistance = ____________________ Ω
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

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Q7.
Resistors of resistance R, R and 3R are connected as shown.

What is the resistance of the arrangement?

(Total 1 mark)

Q8.
The diagram shows some of the apparatus used in a demonstration of electrical power
transmission using a dc power supply.

A power supply of emf 12 V and negligible internal resistance is connected to three

identical 12 V, 1.5 W lamps in parallel.

(a) Show that the resistance of one of the lamps when it is operating at 12 V is about
100 Ω.

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 (1)

(b) Initially the power supply is connected to the lamps using two short copper wires of
negligible resistance.

Calculate the current in the power supply.

current = _______________ A
(2)

(c) The two short copper wires are replaced with two long constantan wires.

Show that the resistance of each length of constantan wire is about 50 Ω.

length of each constantan wire = 2.8 m

diameter of constantan wires = 0.19 mm
resistivity of constantan = 4.9 × 10−7 Ω m

(3)

(d) The demonstration is intended to show that the lamps are significantly dimmer when
connected using the long constantan wires than when using the short copper wires.

Discuss whether the demonstration achieves this.

Support your answer with suitable calculations.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(e) Scientists and engineers are investigating the use of superconductors in electrical
transmission.

Discuss one advantage and one difficulty when using superconductors in electrical
transmission over long distances.

Advantage _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Difficulty ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
A
X, Y, Z
[1]

Q2.
D
[1]

Q3.
A
[1]

Q4.
D
[1]

Q5.
B

[1]

Q6.

(a) Use of P=VI or P=I2R or P =

Use of ∆W=P∆t

OR

Use of ∆Q=I∆t

Use of W=VQ

2.1 × 105 (J)

2 marks if time not converted to seconds (3600 J)
3

(b) Use of ρ =

0.91 (m) + appropriate conclusion

Allow calculation of R, ρ or A assuming 0.85 m length, and
conclusion for second mark:

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 R = 3.5 Ω
A = 4.6 × 10–6 m2
ρ = 2.1 × 10–5 Ω m
2

(c) 350 (Ω)

Full marks for correct answer

Max 3 from:

15 (mA) read from graph

Allow 14.5 to 15.5

Conversion to A

pd across resistor = 7.4 – 2.2 = 5.2 V

Use of
Do not allow gradient calculation for R.
4
[9]

Q7.
A
[1]

Q8.
(a) Use of power equation

Or combination of power equation and V = IR

To get R = 96 (Ω).
Must see some working
Do not allow reverse arguments
1

(b) Either calculation of current through one lamp

Condone use of any other method eg use of power = 4.5 W
and power equation.

And multiply by 3

OR

calculate total resistance (and use V = IR)

To give 0.38 A. (at least 2sf)

Allow ecf for their R from (a) used or their I
Use of 100 Ω gives 0.36 A (0.4A)
2

(c) Evidence of equation to calculate area .

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 2.8 × 10–8 m2

Use of resistivity equation to get 49 Ω.

Allow POT error in MP1
Evidence for MP2 may be in final answer
Accept 48 Ω
3

(d) Total resistance = 46 + 46 + 100/3 = 125 Ω.

Allow ecf for incorrect resistance

Calculation of circuit current = 12/125 = 0.096 A.

operating current of lamp (=1.5/12 = 0.13)/current for all 3 lamps to be fully on =

0.38 A.

Yes demo works as lamps will be dimmer/ off (with constantan).

If no other marks awarded, one mark each can be given for
(max 2)
• for resistance increases with length.
• Too much p.d. dropped across constantan
• Resistivity of constantan is greater than resistivity of
copper
For MP3 allow quoted comparison to previously calculated
current in (b)
For MP4 allow ecf if answer is yes and is consistent with
their calculation
4

(e) Advantage

Zero resistance/resistivity.

Reduce heat/energy transfer / power loss in cables

Difficulty

Difficult to maintain low temperature (over long distances)

Must be kept at/below the critical temperature.

Ignore references to critical field.
Allow very low resistance
Max 3
[13]

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