PAPER 2 THEORY QUESTIONS

1 Fig. 1.1 shows a simple version of an electron-beam tube.

Fig. 1.1

The filament is connected to a 6 V power supply and there is a potential difference of 2000 V
between the filament and the anode. As the electron beam hits the fluorescent screen, a
spot of light appears on the screen.

(a) Explain why

(i) electrons are emitted from the filament,
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(ii) electrons accelerate after they leave the filament,

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(iii) a vacuum is needed in the tube.

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(b) An alternating potential difference of very low frequency is applied across the deflecting
plates in Fig. 1.1. The spot of light on the screen is seen to move. Describe and explain
the movement of the spot.
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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 1

2 (a) Draw a labelled diagram of the basic structure of cathode ray oscilloscope.

(b) Describe how electrons in the oscilloscope are

(i) emitted
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(ii) given kinetic energy

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(c) Fig.2.1. shows a trace obtained on an oscilloscope screen.

Fig. 2.1
The time base is set at 10ms/cm and the Y-gain control is set at 2V/cm.

(i) Determine the time for one complete oscillation on the screen.
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(ii) State the value of the p.d. of the supply.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 2

 (iii) Calculate the frequency of the signal applied to the oscilloscope.

(iv) With the same signal applied to the oscilloscope, the time base setting is altered to
20ms/cm. state the effect this has on the trace shown on the screen.
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3 (a) The Y-plates of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) are connected to an alternating voltage of
amplitude 4.0 V and frequency 25 Hz.
The Y-gain of the CRO is set at 2.0 V / division and the time-base is set at 0.01 s / division.
On the grid below, draw the trace on the screen of the CRO. Show your calculations beside
the grid.

4 An a.c. generator produces alternating current.

(a) (i) Draw a labelled diagram of a simple a.c. generator. [3]

(ii) Explain how the current is generated.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 3

 (b) The output of the generator is connected to the terminals of a cathode-ray oscilloscope.
Fig. 4.1 shows the trace produced on the screen of the oscilloscope.

Fig. 4.1
(i) Each vertical division on the scale in Fig. 4.1 represents 2 volts.
Describe how you would check that one vertical division represents 2 volts.

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(ii) The trace in Fig. 4.1 is too small and is at the bottom of the screen.
Adjustments are made to the oscilloscope controls to produce the trace in Fig. 4.2.

Fig. 4.2

State and explain the adjustments made to the oscilloscope controls.

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(iii) Explain how the beam of electrons is produced inside the cathode-ray oscilloscope
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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 4
5 Fig. 5.1 shows an electrical circuit and a cathode-ray oscilloscope (C.R.O.).

Fig. 5.1

(a) On Fig. 5.1, draw the connections you would make to enable the C.R.O. to measure the
potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor.

(b) Fig. 5.2 shows the trace on the screen before and after the connections are made.

Fig. 5.2

The Y-gain control is set at 2 V for each division on the screen.

(i) State the value of the p.d. across the resistor.

p.d. = ..............................................................

(ii) The Y-gain control is altered to 4 V for each division.

On Fig. 4.2, draw the new trace seen on the screen.

MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 5

6 Fig.6.1 shows the colour-coded bands on a resistor. The table in Fig.6.2 shows the colour code.

Fig. 6.1

(a) State the colours on the first three bands of a

4700Ω resistor.

colour of band 1 ........................................

colour of band 2 ........................................

colour of band 3 ........................................

Fig. 6.2
(b) State the value of resistor shown below.

resistor value ........................................

(c) Fig. 6.3 show circuits containing a capacitor.

Fig. 6.3
Explain the action of the capacitor shown in Fig. 6.2 when the switch is closed.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 6

7 A thin metal filament J and a metal plate K are sealed inside an evacuated glass vessel. The
electrical connections pass through the glass to external components as shown in Fig. 7.1.

Fig. 7.1

(a) A 6.0 V battery is connected to J and the filament becomes white hot. The current from the
battery is 1.6 A. Calculate the power supplied by the battery.

power = ……………………………. [2]

(b) A milliammeter and a 1.5 kV d.c. power supply are connected in series between K and J.
The positive terminal of the power supply is connected to K.

(i) The milliammeter registers a small current. Explain the presence of a current in this
circuit despite the gap between J and K.
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(ii) State why the glass vessel must be evacuated.

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(iii) One pole of a bar magnet is brought close to the side S of the glass vessel and the
current registered by the milliammeter decreases. Explain why this happens.
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(iv) The terminals of the 1.5 kV d.c. power supply are reversed. Explain how this affects the
current in the milliammeter.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 7

 (c) Fig. 7.2 shows two terminals M and N of a potential divider (potentiometer) connected
to a 6.0 V battery. N is also connected to one of the two Y-input terminals of a cathode-ray
oscilloscope. The other Y-input terminal is connected to the sliding contact of the potential
divider (potentiometer).

Fig. 7.2

The sliding contact is at N and the trace on the oscilloscope is a horizontal line passing
through the centre of the screen.

(i) The time base setting is 1.0 ms / div. Explain why the trace is a horizontal line.
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(ii) The Y-gain setting is 2.0 V / div. The sliding contact is moved at a slow, uniform rate
from N to M. Describe in detail what happens to the trace on the screen.
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(iii) The Y-gain setting is now changed to 1.0 V / div and the trace disappears from the
screen.
State why this happens.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 8

8 Fig. 8.1 shows some parts of a cathode-ray oscilloscope.

Fig. 8.1

(a) Explain why reversing battery A has no effect on the electron beam.
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(b) The connections to battery B are reversed. State and explain the effect on the electron
beam.
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9 Fig. 9.1 shows a workman using a cordless electric drill.

Fig. 9.1

The motor of the drill is powered by a rechargeable battery with an electromotive force (e.m.f.)
of 18 V. When the drill is used, the power supplied to the motor is 450 W.

(a) Explain what is meant by an e.m.f. of 18 V.

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(b) The workman uses the drill for 90 minutes.

Calculate
(i) the electrical energy supplied to the motor,

energy = ......................................... [3]

MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 9

 (ii) the charge that the battery supplies.

charge = ................................... [2]

(c) After 90 minutes of use, the battery is flat. It is connected to a charger and is recharged.
The charger includes a transformer that produces a 23 V a.c. output from a 230 V a.c.
mains supply.
(i) Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure of the transformer. [2]

(ii) State how the transformer ensures that the a.c. output has a value of 23 V when the
input is the 230 V a.c. mains supply.
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(iii) The 23 V a.c. output of the transformer is used in a rectifying circuit to produce a direct
current that recharges the battery. Complete the circuit diagram of the circuit. [2]

(d) State and explain one advantage of using an alternating current (a.c.) for long-distance
transmission of electrical power.

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MS / Sh.M / ST 12 / Gr 10/ Physics /Theory questions/Introductory Electronics 10