Name: _______________________________________________

Section 2 _ Electricity
Past year questions

Date:

Time:

Total marks available:

Total marks achieved: ______

1
Questions
Q1.

The diagram shows a circuit containing a light emitting diode (LED) and a resistor.

(a) Add meters to the diagram to measure the voltage of the resistor and the current in the resistor.
(3)

(b) (i) State the formula linking voltage, resistance and current.
(1)

(ii) The current in the resistor is 7.3 mA.

The voltage of the resistor is 0.92 V.
Calculate the resistance of the resistor.
(3)

resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(Total for question = 7 marks)

2
 (Q03 4SS0/1P, June 2023)

Q2.

This question is about a filament lamp.

(a) Which of these is the correct circuit symbol for a filament lamp?
(1)

(b) The filament lamp emits visible light.

The table gives some statements about visible light.
Place ticks in the boxes to show which statements are correct for visible light.
(2)

(c) The diagram shows a ray of light from the filament lamp incident on the reflective side of a curved
mirror.

3
 Complete the diagram by drawing
(i) the normal line where the ray is incident on the mirror.
(1)
(ii) the reflected ray of light.
(2)

(d) The filament lamp is connected in a circuit with a switch and a battery of three cells.

4
 (i) When the switch is on, the filament lamp transfers 120 J of energy in a time of 3.0 minutes.
Each cell has a voltage of 1.5 V.
Calculate the current in the filament lamp.
(3)

current = ........................................................... A
(ii) A small plotting compass is placed near the wires in the circuit.
When the switch is turned on, the compass needle moves to a new position.
Give a reason why the compass needle moves.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q04 4PH1/1P, Nov 2023)

Q3.

The circuit diagram shows a resistor connected in series with a cell and a switch.

5
There is an electric current in the circuit when the switch is closed.

(a) Describe how another component could be added to the circuit to show that there is a current in
resistor X when the switch is closed.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The electric current in the circuit is a flow of charged particles.

Each charged particle has a charge of -1.6 × 10-19 C.
(i) Give the name of the charged particle.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) When the switch is closed, the current in the cell is 160 mA.
Calculate the number of charged particles that pass through the cell in 25 s.
[charge transferred = current × time taken]
(4)

number of charged particles =.............................................

(iii) Resistor X in the circuit is replaced by resistor Y.

Resistor Y has a higher resistance than resistor X.
Explain how the number of charged particles passing through the cell each second changes when
resistor X is replaced by resistor Y.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

6
 .............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Q05 4SS0/1P, June 2022)

Q4.

A cleaning product is applied to a car using a sponge pad.

The sponge pad is rubbed against the car to apply the cleaning product.

(a) Some parts of the car are made of metal and other parts are made of plastic.
The metal parts of the car are earthed.
Explain why the pad becomes charged when rubbing the plastic parts, but not when rubbing the metal
parts.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
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.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The sponge pad is held near a metal post that is connected to the ground.
The sponge pad discharges with a small spark through the air to the metal post.
(i) The sponge pad stores 5.0 mJ of energy in its electrostatic store.
The voltage between the sponge pad and the metal post is 6000 V.
Calculate the charge transferred by the spark.
(3)

charge transferred = ........................................................... C

(ii) The small spark between the sponge pad and the metal post demonstrates that the sponge pad is
charged.
Describe a different experiment that could demonstrate that the sponge pad is charged.
You may draw a diagram to support your answer.
(2)

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q03 4PH1/2PR, June 2023)

Q5.

The diagram shows an electric circuit containing component X and a lamp connected in series.

8
(a) (i) Add another component to the diagram to measure the voltage of component X.
(1)
(ii) Give the name of component X.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The graph shows how the resistance of component X changes with light intensity.

(i) Use the graph to determine the resistance of component X when the light intensity is 4.0 arbitrary
units.
(2)
resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(ii) The current in the circuit is 0.0018 A.

9
 Calculate the voltage across component X at a light intensity of 4.0 arbitrary units.
(3)

voltage = ........................................................... V

(iii) Explain what happens to the brightness of the lamp when component X is covered with a dark sheet
of paper.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(QU03 4PH1/1PR, June 2022)

Q6.

A teacher uses this circuit to investigate how the current in a circuit changes with the temperature of a
room.

(a) (i) Calculate the voltage across the thermistor.

(2)

voltage = ........................................................... V
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 (ii) State the formula linking voltage, current and resistance.
(1)

(iii) Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

(3)

resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(b) The graph shows how the resistance of the thermistor changes with temperature.

(i) Describe the relationship between the temperature and the resistance of the thermistor.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain how the reading on the voltmeter changes when the temperature of the room decreases.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

11
 .............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 11 marks)

(Q07 4PH1/1P, Jan 2022)

Q7.

A student investigates how the current in a filament lamp varies with the voltage across it.

The student has this equipment

 filament lamp
 cell
 variable resistor
 ammeter
 voltmeter
 connecting wires

(a) Draw a circuit diagram that the student could use for this investigation.
(4)

(b) The table gives the student's results.

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 (i) Plot the results on the grid.
(1)
(ii) Draw the curve of best fit.
(1)

(c) The filament of the lamp is made of metal.

The student suggests that a straight line on the graph is more appropriate than a curve because
13
 current is directly proportional to voltage for a metal.
(i) Suggest how the student could improve their investigation to find out whether a straight line or
curve is more appropriate.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain why the student should not expect current to be proportional to voltage for this filament
lamp.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q04 4PH1/1PR, Jan 2023)

Q8.

The circuit diagram shows a resistor, R, connected to a cell.

(a) Draw additional components on the circuit diagram to measure the voltage of the resistor and the
current in the resistor.

14
 (3)
(b) The voltage across the resistor is 9.00 V and the current in the resistor is 1.91 mA.
(i) State the formula linking power, current and voltage.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the power dissipated by the resistor.

(2)

power = ........................................................... W

(c) The cell in the circuit is a source of direct current.

State what is meant by the term direct current.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(d) Explain how the current in the circuit changes when an identical resistor is connected in series with
resistor R.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q03 4SS0/1P, Nov 2021)

Q9.

Diagram 1 shows a light-emitting diode (LED) and a resistor in series with a cell and an ammeter.

15
(a) The voltage across the LED is 0.63 V.
Calculate the current in the circuit.
Give your answer in milliamps.
(4)

current = ........................................................... mA

(b) Diagram 2 shows a second LED and an extra resistor connected in parallel with the cell.

16
 The resistor and the LED are the same as the components used in diagram 1.
The two resistors are identical and the two LEDs are identical.
Explain how the ammeter reading will change.
(4)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q11 4PH1/1P, June 2023)

Q10.

The diagram shows a circuit containing a cell, two switches and two resistors, R1 and R2.

(a) A light emitting diode (LED) is represented using the symbol

Draw a LED on the circuit diagram that will indicate when there is a current in resistor R1 .
(2)
(b) Both switches in the circuit are now closed.
(i) Draw an ammeter on the circuit diagram that will measure the current in the cell.
17
 (1)
(ii) The voltage across the cell is 4.5 V.
Explain how the voltage across R2 compares with the voltage across the cell.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(c) Switch 1 is now opened whilst switch 2 remains closed.

(i) State the formula linking energy transferred, charge and voltage.
(1)

(ii) The voltage across the cell stays constant at 4.5 V.

Calculate the charge transferred through the cell when the cell transfers 4.1 J of energy.
(3)

charge transferred ........................................................... C

(iii) A student investigates how the current in resistor R2 varies with the voltage across it.
Describe how the circuit could be modified for the student to do this investigation.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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.............................................................................................................................................

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(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q09 4PH1/1PR, Jan 2022)

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Q11.

This question is about electric current.

(a) State what is meant by the term electric current.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) Give the name of the particles that flow if there is an electric current in a wire.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(c) An electric heater contains wires that heat up when there is a current in the wires.
The electric heater has a power of 1.4 kW when connected to a mains voltage of 230 V.
(i) State the formula linking power, current and voltage.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the current in the wires.

(3)

current = ........................................................... A
(iii) Explain why the current in the wires causes the temperature of the wires to increase.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q02 4PH1/1P, Nov 2021)

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Q12.

(a) State what is meant by the term electric current.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) Diagram 1 shows an electric circuit used to test a fuse.

(i) Give a reason why an LED is included in the circuit.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Add another component to the circuit in diagram 1 to measure the current in the fuse.
(1)
(c) Diagram 2 shows a different electric circuit containing three different lamps.

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 (i) Calculate the current I1.
(1)
I1 ........................................................... A
(ii) State the current I2.
(1)
I2 ........................................................... A
(iii) Explain which lamp is the brightest.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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(Total for question = 8 marks)

.(Q07 4PH1/1P, June 2022)

Q13.

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This question is about electrical resistors.

(a) Diagram 1 shows a 13 kΩ resistor connected to a 5.8 V battery.

(i) State the formula linking voltage, current and resistance.

(1)

(ii) Calculate the current in the resistor.

(3)

current = ........................................................ A

(b) Diagram 2 shows a 200 Ω resistor connected in parallel with a 13 kΩ resistor.

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 (i) Complete the circuit diagram by adding a suitable meter to diagram 2 to measure the current in the
13 kΩ resistor.
(1)
(ii) The switch in the circuit is closed.
Explain what happens to the current in the 13 kΩ resistor and the current in the battery.
(5)
13 kΩ resistor
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
battery
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q10 4PH1/1P, Nov 2023)

Q14.

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The photograph shows a hair dryer plugged into the mains supply.

The hair dryer contains a fuse.

(a) State which wire in the hair dryer should be in series with the fuse.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The fuse is an electrical safety feature used in mains-operated domestic appliances.
State two other electrical safety features that can be used in mains-operated domestic appliances.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(c) The hair dryer has a current of 9.6 A.

The mains supply voltage is 230 V.
(i) State the formula linking power, current and voltage.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the power of the hair dryer.

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 Give the unit.
(3)

power = ........................................ unit ........................................

(iii) The hair dryer contains a coil of wire which is used to heat air passing through the hair dryer.
Explain why the coil of wire heats up when there is a current in it.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(d) Explain how a fuse protects a domestic appliance.

(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

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.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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(Total for question = 13 marks)

(Q04 4PH1/1P, Jan 2021)

Q15.

A student investigates how the current in a filament lamp varies as the voltage across the lamp is
changed.

(a) Draw a circuit that the student could use for this investigation.
25
 (4)

(b) The student completes the investigation.

The graph shows their results.

(i) Draw a curve of best fit.

(1)
(ii) Use the graph to determine the resistance of the filament lamp when the voltage across the lamp
is 2.0 V.
(3)

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 resistance = ........................................................... Ω
(iii) Explain the change in the resistance of the filament lamp as the voltage across the lamp is
increased from 2.0 V.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q06 4SS0/1P, June 2021)

Q16.

A student investigates how the current in a filament lamp changes when the voltage across the lamp is
varied.

(a) Draw a circuit diagram the student could use in their investigation.
(4)

(b) The graph shows the student's results.

27
 (i) Describe the relationship between current and voltage shown on the graph.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) State the formula linking resistance, voltage and current.
(1)

(iii) Use the graph to determine the resistance of the filament lamp when the voltage across the lamp
is 7.2 V.
(3)

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 resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q02 4PH1/1P, June 2023)

Q17.

A student uses the circuit shown in diagram 1 to investigate how the current changes with voltage for a
filament lamp.

(a) (i) Give the name of component Y.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Give a reason why component Y is included in the circuit.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The graph shows some of the student's results.

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(i) State the formula linking charge, current and time.
(1)

(ii) Determine the current in the lamp when the voltage across the lamp is 10 V.
(1)
current = ........................................................... A
(iii) Calculate the charge transferred through the lamp in 30 s when the voltage across the lamp is 10
V.
Give the unit.
(3)

charge = .................................... unit .......................

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 (iv) Calculate the time for the lamp to transfer 250 J of energy when the voltage across the lamp is 10
V.
(3)

time = ........................................................... s
(v) The student disconnects the cell and reconnects it with its terminals reversed.
Complete the graph to show how the current in the lamp varies with voltage across the lamp when
the cell is connected with its terminals reversed.
(2)
(c) The student replaces the filament lamp with a light emitting diode (LED) and replaces the cell with an
alternating current (a.c.) power supply, as shown in diagram 2.
The student also removes the ammeter and voltmeter from the circuit.

Explain why the LED flashes on and off in this circuit.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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 (Total for question = 14 marks)

(Q07 4PH1/1P, Jan 2023)

Mark Scheme
Q1.

(Q03 4SS0/1P, June 2023)

Q2.

32
33
 Total for Question = 10 marks

(Q04 4PH1/1P, Nov 2023)

Q3.

34
 (Q05 4SS0/1P, June 2022)

Q4.

35
 (Q03 4PH1/2PR, June 2023)

Q5.

36
 (QU03 4PH1/1PR, June 2022)

Q6.

37
 (Q07 4PH1/1P, Jan 2022)

Q7.

38
 (Q04 4PH1/1PR, Jan 2023)

Q8.

39
 (Q03 4SS0/1P, Nov 2021)

Q9.

40
 (Q11 4PH1/1P, June 2023)

Q10.

41
 (Q09 4PH1/1PR, Jan 2022)

Q11.

42
 (Q02 4PH1/1P, Nov 2021)

Q12.

43
 (Q07 4PH1/1P, June 2022)

Q13.

44
 Total for Question = 10 marks

(Q10 4PH1/1P, Nov 2023)

Q14.

45
 (Q04 4PH1/1P, Jan 2021)

Q15.

46
47
 (Q06 4SS0/1P, June 2021)

Q16.

48
 (Q02 4PH1/1P, June 2023)

Q17.

49
50
(Q07 4PH1/1P, Jan 2023)

51