P5 Current, Voltage and Resistance exam questions (markscheme at end)
Q1.
A set of Christmas tree lights is made from twenty identical lamps connected in series.
(a)
Each lamp is designed to take a current of 0.25 A. The set plugs directly into the 230
V mains electricity supply.
(i)
Write down the equation that links current, potential difference and resistance.
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the resistance of one of the lamps. Show clearly how you work out
your final answer and give the unit.
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
Resistance = ......................................................................
(4)
(iii)
What is the total resistance of the set of lights?
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
Total resistance = ........................................................
(1)
Page 1
(b)
How does the resistance of a filament lamp change as the temperature of the filament
changes?
.............................................................................................................................
........
.............................................................................................................................
........
.............................................................................................................................
........
.............................................................................................................................
........
(1)
(Total 7 marks)
Q2.
The drawing shows the circuit used to investigate how the current through a 5 ohm (Ω)
resistor changes as the potential difference (voltage) across the resistor changes.
(a)
Draw, in the space below, a circuit diagram of this circuit. Use the correct symbols for
each part of the circuit.
Page 2
(2)
(b)
(i)
Write down the equation that links current, potential difference and resistance.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the potential difference across the 5 ohm (Ω) resistor when the
current through the resistor equals 0.4 A. Show clearly how you work out your
final answer.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
potential difference = .............................................. volts
(2)
(iii)
Complete the graph to show how the current through the resistor changes as
the potential difference across the resistor increases from 0 V to 3 V. Assume
the resistor stays at a constant temperature.
Page 3
(2)
(c)
The resistor is replaced by a 3 V filament lamp. The resistance of the lamp increases
as the potential difference across it increases. Why?
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
Q3.
(a)
Add the missing labels to the diagram.
(3)
Page 4
(b)
Some students use the circuit shown above.
They want to find out how the current through component X changes as they change
the voltage.
The graph shows their results.
Describe, as fully as you can, what happens to the current through component X as
the students increase the voltage.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 7 marks)
Q4.
The circuit shown has four identical ammeters.
Page 5
(a)
The table gives the current through two of the ammeters.
(i)
Ammeter
Complete the table to show the current through the other two ammeters.
Reading on ammeter in amps
A1
A2
0.2
A3
0.3
A4
(2)
(ii)
Which one of the following statements is correct. Tick ( ) the box next to your
choice.
The resistance of P is more than 20 Ω.
The resistance of P is equal to 20 Ω.
The resistance of P is less than 20 Ω.
Give a reason for your choice.
Page 6
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(b)
(i)
Write down the equation that links current, potential difference and resistance.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the reading on the voltmeter. Show clearly how you work out your
answer.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Voltmeter reading = ……………………………. volts.
(2)
(iii)
State the potential difference of the power supply.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(c)
A second circuit contains an unknown component labelled X.
As component X is heated, the reading on the ammeter goes up.
What is component X?
.....................................................................................................................................
Give a reason for your answer.
Page 7
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)
Q5.
A student investigates how the current flowing through a filament lamp changes with
the voltage across it.
She is given a filament lamp and connecting wires.
She decides to use a 15V power supply, a variable resistor, an ammeter, a voltmeter and a
switch.
(a)
Complete the circuit diagram to show how she should set up the circuit.
(4)
(b)
The student obtains the following results.
VOLTAGE (V)
0.0
3.0
5.0
7.0
9.0
11.0
CURRENT (A)
0.0
1.0
1.4
1.7
1.9
2.1
(i)
Plot a graph of current against voltage.
Page 8
(3)
(ii)
Use your graph to find the current when the voltage is 10V.
Current .................... A
(1)
(iii)
Use your answer to (ii) to calculate the resistance of the lamp when the voltage
is 10V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Resistance .................... Ω
(2)
(c)
(i)
What happens to the resistance of the lamp as the current through it increases?
...........................................................................................................................
Page 9
(ii)
Explain your answer.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)
Q6.
(a)
The diagram shows a simple circuit. Add an ammeter and a voltmeter to the
circuit to show how to measure the current through the fixed resistor and the voltage
across it.
(2)
(b)
An experiment using a circuit like the one above was set up. The following results
were obtained when the resistance of the variable resistor was decreased.
(i)
Draw a graph of the results below.
Voltage across fixed
resistor
in volts
Current in amps
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
Page 10
(2)
(ii)
Use the graph to find the voltage when the current is 0.05 A.
Voltage =....................................... V
(1)
(Total 5 marks)
Q7.
(a)
The diagram shows the voltage-current graphs for three different electrical
components.
Page 11
Which one of the components A, B or C could be a 3 volt filament lamp? Explain the
reason for your choice.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(b)
Using the correct symbols draw a circuit diagram to show how a battery, ammeter
and voltmeter can be used to find the resistance of the wire shown.
(3)
(c)
When correctly connected to a 9 volt battery the wire has a current of 0.30 amperes
flowing through it.
(i)
Give the equation that links current, resistance and voltage.
..........................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the resistance of the wire. Show clearly how you work out your
answer and give the unit.
..........................................................................................................................
Page 12
..........................................................................................................................
Resistance = .........................................................
(3)
(iii)
When the wire is heated, the current goes down to 0.26 amperes. State how
the resistance of the wire has changed.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 11 marks)
Q8.
A circuit was set up as shown in the diagram.
(a)
The table gives the current through three of the ammeters. Complete the table to
show the current through the other two ammeters.
Page 13
Ammeter
Reading on ammeter in
amps
Al
0.2
A2
0.6
A3
0.3
A4
A5
(2)
(b)
The reading on the voltmeter is 12 V.
What is the resistance of R2?
Show your working and include the correct unit.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
Resistance = .......................................
(3)
(c)
In the circuit above, the resistor R2 burned out and current stopped flowing in it. There
was no other change to the circuit.
Complete the table below to show the readings on the ammeters after this took place.
Ammeter
Reading on ammeter in amps
Al
0.2
A2
0.0
A3
A4
A5
(3)
(Total 8 marks)
Page 14
Q9.
When a mains lamp is switched on it takes 0.5 seconds for the filament to reach its
normal operating temperature. The way in which the current changes during the first second
after switching on is shown in the sketch graph below. Mains voltage is 240 V.
(a)
Calculate the resistance of the filament whilst the lamp is drawing the
maximum current.
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....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(b)
Describe how the resistance of the lamp changes after the current has reached its
maximum value.
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Page 15
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(c)
Calculate the maximum power taken by the lamp.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(d)
Calculate the power of the lamp in normal use.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(e)
Calculate the energy used by the lamp in six hours of normal use.
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....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 12 marks)
Q10.
A computer is set up to produce a graph of the current through an electric lamp during
the first few milliseconds after it is switched on.
Page 16
The lamp is modified then tested in the same way.
(a)
Describe three differences in the way the lamp behaves after it has been modified.
1.
..........................................................................................................................
2.
..........................................................................................................................
3.
..........................................................................................................................
(3)
(b)
The current through the modified lamp depends on the total resistance of the filament
and component X.
The smaller this total resistance is, the greater the current.
Page 17
The following graphs show how the resistance of the lamp filament and component X
change as the lamp heats up to its operating temperature.
Use the information shown on the graphs to explain the behaviour of the modified
lamp.
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.....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 7 marks)
Q11.
The circuit contains three identical lamps.
Page 18
(a)
Complete each of the sentences about the circuit, using one of the phrases in the
box.
more than
(i)
less than
the same as
The current at A is ........................................................... .the current at B.
(1)
(ii)
The current at A is ........................................................... .the current at D.
(1)
(iii)
The current at F is ............................................................. .the current at E.
(1)
(iv)
The current at F is ............................................................ .the current at D.
(1)
(b)
In the circuit, which lamp is brightest?.............................
Give a reason for your answer.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)
Page 19
Q12.
The diagrams show a hair-dryer and the circuit inside the hair-dryer.
(a)
Switches S1, S2 and S3 are all shown in the OFF position.
Which switch or switches have to be ON to make:
(i)
only the fan work? ............................................................................................
(ii)
both heaters work? ............................................................................................
(2)
(b)
(i)
What happens to the current in the circuit when the heaters are switched on?
...........................................................................................................................
(ii)
Suggest why it is important to have the fan working when the heaters are
switched on.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(3)
Page 20
(c)
This hair-dryer has a plastic case. It is connected to a mains socket by a 3-pin plug.
The cable connecting the hair-dryer to the plug contains only two wires.
(i)
Write down the colour of the insulation on the wires.
Wire 1 ...............................................................................................................
Wire 2 ...............................................................................................................
(ii)
Which of the usual three wires is not needed?
...........................................................................................................................
(iii)
This hair-dryer is safe to use without the third wire. Explain why.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(5)
(d)
The following information is stamped on the hair-dryer.
(i)
Which number tells us how fast the hair-dryer uses energy?
...........................................................................................................................
(ii)
On what else does the energy used by the hair-dryer depend?
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)
Page 21
Q13.
The circuit contains two cells, an ammeter and a lamp. The reading on the ammeter is
0.2 A.
(a)
What will be the reading on the ammeters in each of the circuits below?
(i)
Current is ................... A
(ii)
Current is ................... A
(2)
(b)
An ammeter was in a series circuit with two cells and a variable resistor.
The ammeter showed a reading of 0.3 A.
(i)
Draw a circuit diagram for the circuit.
(2)
Page 22
(ii)
What will happen to the reading on the ammeter if the resistance of the variable
resistor is increased?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 5 marks)
Page 23
M1.
(a)
(i)
potential difference = current × resistance
accept voltage or pd for potential difference
accept V = I × R
accept correct transformation
do not accept V = C × R
do not accept V = A × R
accept
provided
subsequent use of Δ correct
do not accept an equation expressed in units
1
(ii)
46
credit correct transformation for 1 mark
allow 1 mark for use of 11.5 V or division of final resistance by 20
a final answer of 920 gains 2 marks only
3
ohm(s)
accept symbol Ω
do not accept Ω s
unit / symbol mark can be awarded in (iii) provided unit /
symbol is omitted in (ii)
1
(iii)
920 (ohms) or their (a)(ii) × 20
1
(b)
as temperature increases, resistance increases
accept hotter for temperature increase
do not accept a reference to resistance only i.e. it / resistance
goes up
1
[7]
Page 24
M2.
(a)
all symbols correct
accept push switch symbol switch may be open or closed
any lines through symbols = 0 marks
1
correct circuit drawn
polarity of cells not relevant provided they are joined correctly
1
voltmeter must be across resistor only
two cells are required in the diagram
ignore the order of the components
allow small gaps in circuit
omission of any component = 0 marks
1
(b)
(i)
potential difference = current × resistance
accept voltage or p.d. for potential difference
accept V= I × R
accept
provided I R subsequent use correct
do not accept C for current
1
(ii)
2
allow 1 mark for correct substitution
wrong working loses both marks
2
(iii)
straight line drawn through the origin
judge by eye
straight line passes through I = 0.4, V = their (b)(ii) / 2 and 0.0
this mark may be awarded if all points shown including these
Page 25
points are correct even if no line is drawn
N.B. a curve scores 0 marks
1
(c)
temperature increases
accept filament lamp / it gets hotter
allow heat for temperature
1
[8]
M3.
(a)
•
diode
•
voltmeter
•
ammeter
for 1 mark each
3
(b)
idea that
•
current increases or goes up (with voltage)
gains 1 mark
•
‘It’ refers to current
but current increases steadily (with voltage)
gains 2 marks
•
(allow in proportion) – but not simply a description of the shape
of the graph
gains 1 mark
•
no current at first
but no current until voltage is more than 0.3 (volts)
gains 2 marks
4
[7]
Page 26
M4.
(a)
(i)
A1 = 0.5
ignore any units
1
A
= 0.5
allow 1 mark for A1 = A4 ≠ 0.5
1
(ii)
the resistance of P is more than 20 Ω
1
a smaller current goes through P / A2 (than 20 Ω)
dependent on getting 1st mark correct
accept converse
1
(b)
(i)
potential difference = current
resistance
accept pd / voltage for potential difference
accept V = I
R, correct symbols and correct case only
accept volts = amps
ohms
accept
provided subsequent method is correct
allow combination of
physical quantities and named units
allow voltage = I
R
1
(ii)
6
allow 1 mark for correct substitution
2
(iii)
6
accept their (b)(ii)
1
(c)
thermistor or
Page 27
accept correct circuit symbol
allow phonetic spelling
1
resistance goes down (as temperature of thermistor goes up)
do not accept changes for goes down
do not accept an answer in terms of current only
answers in terms of other components are incorrect
1
[10]
M5.
(a)
4 symbols correct accept
(accept
for bulb; lose 1 mark if line through symbols, lose 1
mark if circuit incorrect, switch may be open or closed)
(allow
or
)
gains 1 mark
4
but
all correct
gains 2 marks
ammeter in series with lamp
for one mark
voltmeter in parallel with lamp / lamp and switch / lamp, switch and ammeter
for one mark
(b)
(i)
5 points correctly plotted
allow (0, 0) correct if graph goes through the origin even if no × or O
gains 1 mark
but
6 points correctly plotted
gains 2 marks
smooth curve through points – not straight line / curve + straight line
for one mark
3
Page 28
(ii)
2 (A)
allow
0.05 (½ square) from candidates’ graph
for one mark
1
(iii)
R = V / I or R = 10 / 2
gains 1 mark
but
R = 5 (Ohms)
ecf
gains 2 marks
2
(c)
(i)
resistance increases
for one mark
(ii)
temperature (of filament) has increased / filament gets hot
for one mark
2
[12]
M6.
(a)
ammeter anywhere in series in the circuit
accept just letter A or box with A
voltmeter across or in parallel with the fixed resistor only
accept just letter V or box with V
2
(b)
(i)
four correct plots
deduct one for any incorrect plot
a straight line through the points
no requirement to extrapolate through origin
do not credit bar charts unless correct line drawn or correct
points
2
(ii)
0.25
ecf rule applies if graph is wrongly plotted
Page 29
1
[5]
M7.
(a)
C
award mark if A and B identified as not filament lamp
1
resistance increases
negated by wrong statement e.g. current goes down
1
as the lamp gets hot
accept as current (through lamp) or voltage (across lamp)
increases
do not accept non-ohmic reason independent of choice of
component
1
(b)
ammeter wire and battery only in series
non standard symbols acceptable if correctly identified
(labelled) for ammeter, voltmeter and battery
1
voltmeter only in parallel with wire or battery
all in series or ammeter in parallel neither of these two marks
awarded
1
all symbols correct
ignore lines drawn through centres of symbols
1
(c)
(i)
voltage = current × resistance
accept V = I × R
accept volts = amps × ohms
do not accept V = C × R
Page 30
accept
if subsequent method correct
1
(ii)
30
accept correct substitution for 1 mark (9/0.3)
2
ohms
accept correct symbol Ω
1
(iii)
goes up
must be a comparison
accept calculation if answer is larger than c (ii)
1
[11]
M8.
(a)
0.9
1
1.1
accept the value of A4 + 0.2
1
(b)
V = I R or 12 = 0.6 R or
accept V = A R
V = I × ohm’s sign
do not credit Ohm’s law triangle
2
R = 20
correct numerical answer earns both marks
Page 31
ohms
1
(c)
A3 = 0.3
A4 = 0.3
accept the same numeric value as A3
A5 = 0.5
accept the value of A4 + 0.2
3
[8]
M9.
(a)
Current = 0.4A (1)
R = V/I or 240/0.4 (1)
R = 600 ohm (1)
3
(b)
Doubles
gets 2 marks
OR gets bigger
gets 1 mark
2
(c)
P = V.I or 240 × 0.4
P = 96W
for 1 mark each
2
(d)
1 = 0.2A
P = 48W
for 1 mark each
BUT may get equation mark here if not in (c)
2
Page 32
(e)
P = V.I.t (1)
P = 240 × 0.2 × 6 × 3600
OR P = 48 × 6 × 3600
gets 1 mark
P = 1036800 W
gets 1 mark
3
[12]
M10.
(a)
current rises/starts lower/starts from zero
for 1 mark
ideas that: *
smaller/only 0.45 (A) change in current
quicker/only 2 (ms) for current to settle
slightly lower/0.45 (A) final current
maximum only 0.45 (A) rather than 1.5 (A)
(*must compare e.g. “only...” or state figure from first graph)
any 2 for 1 further mark each
3
(b)
resistance of filament rises as temperature rises/higher at operating temperature
resistance of X falls as temperature rises/low(er) at operating temperature
total resistance stays roughly the same as temperature rises
so current stays roughly the same as temperature rises
(must be related to previous point)
resistance of X falls faster at first than resistance of filament rises
so current rises (must be related to previous point)
operating resistance slightly increased
so operating current slightly reduced
(must be related to previous point)
resistance of X high at start
so current zero/low
each gains 1 mark
(must be related to previous point)
(to a maximum of 4)
4
[7]
Page 33
M11.
(a)
(i)
the same as
1
(ii)
less than
1
(iii)
the same as
1
(iv)
more than
1
(b)
3
accept D
because there is more or twice the current in this part of the circuit
or the resistance is less
accept only one lamp to go through, (not two) or on its own
not sharing the voltage or energy with another
do not credit one lamp to go through or sharing current
2
[6]
M12.
(a)
(i)
S3
for 1 mark
1
(ii)
S1, S2 and S3
for 1 mark
1
(b)
(i)
increases/current passes through heaters/current unaffected in fan
for 1 mark
1
(ii)
(fan) blows/air moving prevents dryer overheating
for 1 mark each
Page 34
2
(c)
(i)
brown
blue
any order
for 1 mark each
2
(ii)
earth/green and yellow
for 1 mark
1
(iii)
(case is) plastic
plastic does not conduct (electricity)
for 1 mark each
2
(d)
(i)
1300/power
for 1 mark
1
(ii)
time/units of time
for 1 mark
1
[12]
M13.
(a)
(i)
0.2
1
(ii)
0.2
1
(b)
(i)
a series circuit must contain two cells the correct way round and an ammeter
accept the components in any order in
the series circuit but there must be no
obvious gaps in the wires at corners
Page 35
or joins
1
the symbol for a variable resistor a rectangle with a diagonal arrow drawn
through it
accept a diagram for a ‘slide resistor’
1
(ii)
decrease
1
[5]
Page 36