11 Internal resistance, series and parallel

circuits, and the potential divider

Exam practice questions

Pages 168-172 Exam practice questions

Start by working out the resistance of each of the combinations:

W: In series 𝑅 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 = 15 Ω + 15 Ω + 15 Ω = 45 Ω

X: Start by adding the two series resistors: 15 Ω + 15 Ω = 30 Ω

Then combine this with the parallel resistor:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 +2 3
= + ⟹ = + = = ⟹ 𝑅 = 10 Ω
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅 30 Ω 15 Ω 30 Ω 30 Ω

Y: Combining the two parallel resistors:

1 1 1 1 1 1 2
= + ⟹ = + = ⟹ 𝑅 = 7.5 Ω
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅 15 Ω 15 Ω 15 Ω

Then adding the 15 Ω in series gives 15 Ω + 7.5 Ω = 22.5 Ω

Z: Combining the three parallel resistors:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
= + + ⟹ = + + = ⟹𝑅 =5Ω
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅 15 Ω 15 Ω 15 Ω 15 Ω

1 We can now see that Z = W/9 − the answer is A. [Total 1 Mark]

2 W = 2Y − the answer is D. [Total 1 Mark]
3 X = 2 × Z − the answer is D. [Total 1 Mark]
4 a) Each ‘arm’ has two 4.7 Ω resistors in series, giving 9.4 Ω in total for each ‘arm’. These

‘arms’ are in parallel. [1]

So:
1 1 1 1 1 1 2
= + ⟹ = + = ⟹ 𝑅 = 4.7 Ω [2]
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅 9.4 Ω 9.4 Ω 9.4 Ω

b) This network of four resistors has a resistance equal to that of each of the single

resistors. It might be preferable to use this network rather than a single resistor as
the current will split, with half going through each ‘arm’. This means that the current
in each resistor is only half what it would have been for a single resistor. As the
power depends on the square of the current (P = I2 R), the power in each resistor will
be a quarter of what it would be in a single resistor. This means that the resistors will
not heat as much. [2]
Note that the total power developed in the network is the same as for a single
resistor – it is shared equally by the four resistors. [Total 5 Marks]

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

5 a) For the bulb:

𝑉 6V
i) R= = = 12 Ω
𝐼 0.5 A

ii) P = IV = 0.5 A × 6 V = 3 W [2]

b) As the battery consists of four cells in series:
Total internal resistance r = 4 × 0.15 Ω = 0.60 Ω [1]
e.m.f. 6.0 V 6.0 V
I= = (12 = (12.60) = 0.476 A [2]
Total circuit resistance + 0.60) Ω Ω

V = ε – Ir = 6.0 V – (0.476 A × 0.60 Ω) = (6.0 – 0.29) V = 5.71 V ≈ 5.7 V [2]

c) Power wasted = power developed in the internal resistances
2 2
P = I r = (0.476 A) × 0.60 Ω = 0.14 W (140 mW) [2]
d) The original 3 W of power dissipated in the filament is only reduced by 0.14 W as a result of
the increase in internal resistance. This will not significantly reduce the temperature of the
filament so, although the resistance of the filament will decrease slightly, the assumption that
it remains constant is not unreasonable. [2]
[Total 11 Marks]
6 If the battery is short-circuited, the only resistance will be the internal resistance of the battery.
𝑉
Using 𝐼 = :
𝑅
9V
𝐼 = = 18 A [2]
0.50 Ω

This is a large current and will generate a power of 𝑃 = 𝐼 2 𝑅 = (18A)2 × 0.50 Ω = 162 W
inside the battery, which will make the battery hot. [2]
[Total 4 Marks]
7 a) A 50 MΩ resistor in series with the output will keep the current very small. As the severity of
an electric shock depends on the current passing through your body to earth, the resistor acts
as a safety device. [2]
𝑉
b) From 𝐼 = the maximum current will be:
𝑅
5 × 103 V
𝐼 = = 1.0 × 10−4 A = 0.10 mA [2]
50 × 106 Ω

c) The total resistance between the terminal of the supply and the ground will be 50 MΩ +
10 kΩ. As 10 kΩ is only 0.01 MΩ, the girl’s resistance has very little effect and so the current
in the girl would be virtually the same as in part b). [2]

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

d) Using 𝑃 = 𝐼 2 𝑅, the power dissipated in the girl would be:

𝑃 = (1.0 × 10−4 A)2 × 10 × 103 Ω = 1.0 × 10−4 W = 0.10 mW
This is considerably less than the 14 mW from the car battery, and so shows the effectiveness
of the 50 MΩ resistor as a safety device. [3]
Warning: high voltage supplies, even when safety protected, are still very dangerous and
must be treated with the utmost caution.
[Total 9 Marks]
8 The table is completed by adding values for the resistance and power, for example V = 1.44 V
and I = 0.20 A gives:
𝑉 1.44 V
𝑅= = = 7.2 Ω
𝐼 0.20 mA
and
P = VI = 1.44V x 0.20A = 0.29W
I/A I/A 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60
V/V 1.44 1.32 1.20 1.09 0.95 0.84 0.73 0.59
R/Ω 7.20 3.30 2.00 1.36 0.95 0.70 0.52 0.37
P/W 0.29 0.53 0.72 0.87 0.95 1.01 1.02 0.94

Note the the maximum power generated in the load resistor is when its resistance is equal to the
internal resistance of the cell (0.60 ohm)

[Total 7 Marks]

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

9 a)
I/mA 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.65
V/V 6.07 5.90 5.72 5.35 4.97 4.20 3.00 2.01
R/kΩ 60.7 39.3 28.6 17.8 12.4 8.4 5.0 3.1
P/mW 0.61 0.88 1.14 1.60 1.99 2.10 1.80 1.31
[3]
b) i)

For small currents the graph, as shown above, is linear, indicating a constant internal
resistance. For larger currents the graph clearly curves downwards, showing that the
internal resistance increases as the current gets larger.
ii) The e.m.f. of the cell will be the voltage when the current is zero, i.e. the intercept on the
voltage axis. From the graph this is 6.5 V. The internal resistance for low current values is
given by the numerical value of the gradient of the linear part of the graph.
Extending the linear part to give a large triangle:
(6.50 –4.25) V
𝑟= = 3.7 kΩ [9]
(0.60 – 0.00) mA

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

c) i)

ii) From the graph, the maximum power is approximately 2.1 mW. [4]
[Total 16 Marks]
10 a) i) Combining the 22 Ω and 33 Ω parallel resistors:
1 1 1 1 1 1 3+2 5 66 Ω
= + ⟹ = + = = ⟹𝑅 = = 13.2 Ω
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅 22 Ω 33 Ω 66 Ω 66 Ω 5
The total circuit resistance is therefore 47 Ω + 13.2 Ω = 60.2 Ω.
The circuit current will be given by:
𝑉 6.02 V
𝐼= = = 0.10A
𝑅 60.2 Ω
The current through the 47 Ω resistor is therefore 100 mA. When this current comes to
the parallel network, it will split in the inverse ratio of the resistances, i.e. 22/55 (= 40
mA) through the 33 Ω resistor and 33/55 (= 60 mA) through the 22 Ω resistor.
Alternatively, the potential difference across the parallel network is:
V = IR = 0.10 A × 13.2 Ω = 1.32 V
giving the current in the 22 Ω resistor as:
𝑉 1.32 V
𝐼= = = 0.060 A = 60 mA
𝑅 22 Ω
and the current in the 33Ω resistor as
𝑉 1.32 V
𝐼= = = 0.040 A = 40 mA
𝑅 33 Ω
2
b) The power generated is given by P = I R in each case:
2
47 Ω: (0.10 A) × 47 Ω = 0.47 W

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

2
22 Ω: (0.06 A) × 22 Ω = 0.079 W
2
33 Ω: (0.04 A) × 33 Ω = 0.053 W [8]
[Total 10 Marks]
11 a) Before the voltmeter is connected, the total circuit resistance is
R = 22 kΩ + 33 kΩ = 55 kΩ [1]
This gives a circuit current of:
𝑉 7.5 V
𝐼= = = 0.136 mA [1]
𝑅 55𝑘 Ω

The potential difference across the 33 kΩ resistor is therefore:

V = IR = 0.136mA × 33kΩ = 4.5 V [1]
Alternatively, if you are good at ratios you might spot that the 7.5 V will split up in the ratio of
the two resistors:
V across 33 kΩ = 33/55 × 7.5 V = 4.5 V
b) i) When the switch is closed, the voltmeter is connected in parallel with the 33 kΩ resistor.
The resistance of this parallel combination will be less than 33 kΩ, so the voltage
dropped across the combination will be less than the previous 4.5 V. [2]
ii) If the voltmeter reads 4.0 V, the potential difference across the 22 kΩ resistor must be
(7.5 − 4.0) V = 3.5 V. [1]
The current in the 22 kΩ resistor, which is also the circuit current, will be:
𝑉 3.5V
𝐼= = = 0.159mA [1]
𝑅 22𝑘Ω

The combined resistance of the parallel arrangement of the voltmeter and the 33 kΩ
resistor will therefore be:
𝑉 4.0 V
𝑅= = = 25.1 kΩ [1]
𝐼 0.159 mA

For this parallel arrangement:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + ⟹ = − = −
𝑅 𝑅33 𝑅𝑉 𝑅𝑉 𝑅 𝑅33 25.1 kΩ 33 kΩ
1
= 0.0398𝑘𝛺−1 − 0.0303𝑘𝛺 −1 = 0.0095𝑘𝛺 −1
𝑅𝑉
R V = 106 kΩ [2]
If the voltmeter is rated as 10 V/100 μA, its resistance should be:
𝑉 10V
𝑅= = = 1.0 × 105 Ω = 100 kΩ [2]
𝐼 100×10−6 A

This differs by 6% from the experimental value. As each resistor has a tolerance of 5%,
the experimental value is within the overall tolerance and so is compatible with the
stated rating of the voltmeter. [2]
[Total 14 Marks]

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

12 a) As the temperature of the thermistor falls, its resistance increases as there will be less charge
carriers per unit volume. If the resistance of the thermistor increases, the proportion of the
supply voltage dropped across it will also increase and so the proportion of the supply voltage
across the resistor R will decrease and V out will fall. [3]
b) i) Reading from the graph, at 0 °C the thermistor has a resistance of 18.0kΩ. [1]
ii) When V out is 5.0 V, the voltage across the thermistor and the potentiometer will be
(9.0 − 5.0) V = 4.0 V. Assuming that the potentiometer is set at zero, the voltage across
the thermistor will be 4.0 V. [1]
The current in the thermistor (and therefore the circuit current as it is a series circuit)
will be given by:
4.0V
𝐼= = 0.22mA [1]
18.0kΩ

The value of R is then given by:

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 5.0 V
𝑅= = = 22.5 kΩ
𝐼 0.22 mA
The best value to use would therefore be the 22 kΩ resistor. [2]
iii) The purpose of the potentiometer is to fine tune the circuit. It is adjusted so that the
lamp is switched on at exactly 0°C. [2]
[Total 10 Marks]
13 a) The electromotive force of an electrical source is defined as the energy per unit charge
converted into electrical energy by the source, in this case the cell, whilst the potential
difference between two points in a circuit is the electrical energy per unit charge converted
into other forms of energy, in this case in the resistor.
In the equation V = ε – Ir:
• ε is the chemical energy per coulomb converted into electrical energy by the cell
• Ir is the energy per coulomb used up by the charge doing work against the internal
resistance of the cell
• V (= ε – Ir) is the energy per coulomb that will be dissipated in the resistor R. [4]
e.m.f. 𝜀
b) i) I= =
Total circuit resistance 𝑅+𝑟
𝜀𝑟 𝜀(𝑅 + 𝑟) − 𝜀𝑟 𝜀𝑅
ii) V = ε – Ir = ε – = = [3]
𝑅+𝑟 𝑅+𝑟 𝑅+𝑟

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

𝜀
c) From I = ⇒ ε = I(R + r) so:
𝑅+𝑟

ε = 616 mA × (2.2 Ω + r)
ε = 308 mA × (4.7 Ω + r)
Dividing we get:
2.2 Ω + 𝑟
1=2× ⇒ 1 × (4.7 Ω + r) = 2 × (2.2 Ω + r)
4.7 Ω + 𝑟

⇒ 4.7 Ω + r = 4.4 Ω + 2r
⇒ r = 0.3 Ω
Substituting into ε = I (R + r):
ε = 616 mA × (2.2 + 0.3) Ω = 1.54 V [4]
d) From (b) we have:
𝜀 𝜀𝑅
I= and V =
𝑅+𝑟 𝑅+𝑟
𝜀 𝜀𝑅 𝜀2𝑅
P = IV = × = (𝑅 [2]
𝑅+𝑟 𝑅+𝑟 + 𝑟)2

e) To find a maximum we need to differentiate with respect to R:

d𝑃 d 𝜀2𝑅 𝜀2 2𝜀 2 𝑅 𝜀 2 (𝑅 + 𝑟) −2𝜀 2 𝑅 𝜀 2 (𝑟 − 𝑅)
= � � = (𝑅 – (𝑅 = =
d𝑅 d𝑅 (𝑅 + 𝑟)2 + 𝑟)2 + 𝑟)3 (𝑅 + 𝑟)3 (𝑅 + 𝑟)3

This will be zero (i.e. the power will be a maximum) when R = r [3]
[Total 16 Marks]
15 a) Conservation of charge means that we cannot gain or lose charge. Consider the 3-way
junction shown in the diagram.

As current is the rate of flow of charge, by conservation of charge I 2 + I 3 = I 1 . If this were not
so, charge would be gained or lost at the junction which, by the conservation of charge, is not
possible. [3]

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

b) This question is really about symmetry, something we come across a lot in physics. The first thing
to do is draw a diagram showing the current in each resistor.
If a current I enters the network at point X, by symmetry it will split equally in each of the
three resistors connected to point X. We can now put ⅓I in each of these resistors. [1]
By the same argument, the current in each of the three resistors connected to point Y will
also be ⅓I so that a current I leaves at point Y. [1]
But what about the remaining six resistors? Again, by symmetry, the ⅓I splits equally so that
the current in the remaining six resistors is ⅙I. [1]
Your distribution of current should now look like the figure below.

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

What we now have is three resistors in parallel at X (combined resistance R/3) connected in
series with the middle six resistors in parallel (combined resistance R/6), which in turn are
connected in series the three parallel resistors at Y (combined resistance R/3). This is shown
in the diagram below. [3]

𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 5𝑅
The network resistance is therefore + + = [1]
3 6 3 6

16 a) From the graph of R against L we can take two convenient values of R and L and

substitute into the equation

logR = nlogL + loga
The obvious points to take are: L = 1.0, R = 100 and L = 10 000, R = 0.1.
We then have:
log(100) = n log(1.0) + log a ⇒ 2 = 0 + log a ⇒ log a = 2
log(0.1) = n log(10 000) + log a ⇒ −1 = 4n + log a
Substituting that ln a = 2 into the second equation gives us
−1 = 4n + 2 ⇒ 4n = −3 ⇒ n = −¾
If log a = 2 ⇒ a = 100
3� 100
From R = aLn ⇒ R = 100 𝐿− 4⇒ R=4 [4]
√𝐿3

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11 Internal resistance, series and parallel
circuits, and the potential divider
Exam practice questions

b) When L = 50 lux:
100 100
R=4 =4 = 5.3 kΩ [2]
√𝐿3 √503

(You should check from the graph that this looks about right.)
c) If the LDR is 0.5 m from the lamp (i.e. its distance from the lamp is halved), then four

times as much light will fall on the LDR, giving L = 200 lux.
100 100
R=4 = 4 = 1.9 kΩ [2]
√𝐿3 √2003

d) We have to assume that the lamp acts as a point source and that the illumination is

inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the lamp. We also have to
assume that the only light falling on the LDR is the light from the lamp, i.e. there is no
background illumination. [2]
[Total 10 Marks]

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