PAPER 4 PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

5054/04/O/N/02
4 Using the circuit shown in Fig. 4.1, a student investigates how the potential difference V
across a resistance wire depends upon its length x.

Fig. 4.1

The student places the jockey on the wire at a point J. The voltmeter reading V and the
length x of resistance wire are recorded. The student repeats the experiment with different
values for x. All the readings are recorded.
Fig. 4.2 is a graph obtained from the readings taken during the experiment.

Fig. 4.2

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 1

 (a) The length AB of wire has a resistance of 10Ω. The resistance of the fixed resistor R is 2.0Ω.
(i) What is the total resistance in the series circuit when the jockey is at the point B on the
wire?

total resistance = .....................................[1]

(ii) The graph of Fig. 4.2 is for a clean wire and a clean jockey. In a second experiment,
the jockey is dirty and does not make good contact with the wire. On Fig. 4.2, sketch the
graph that would be obtained with the dirty jockey. [2]

(iii) How would you clean the dirty jockey?

....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) There are three voltmeters available for use in the experiment

The voltmeters are similar and each scale is 60 mm in length. Which voltmeter would be
the best choice for accurate measurement?
choice of voltmeter .....................................
Give a reason for your choice.
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.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

5054/04/M/J/03
3 Fig. 3.1 shows some of the apparatus used to determine the heat capacity of some liquid
contained in a plastic cup. The temperature of the liquid is raised by an electric heater.

Fig. 3.1
MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 2
 (a) The electric heater requires a power supply. In order to determine the power of the heater,
the appropriate current and potential difference must be measured. Complete
Fig. 3.1 to show a suitable electric circuit. Include in your circuit
(i) a power supply, with the positive terminal marked,
(ii) a switch,
(iii) a voltmeter, with the positive terminal marked,
(iv) an ammeter. [3]

(b) The scale of the voltmeter used in the experiment is shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig.3.2

(i) State the maximum potential difference that may be measured with this voltmeter.
............................................................................................................................................

(ii) State what each small division between 4V and 5V represents.

............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
(iii) Give one reason why you would not choose this voltmeter to measure a potential
difference of about 0.2V.
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....................................................................................................................................... [3]

5054/04/M/J/08
2 Fig. 2.1 is a circuit containing a 1.5 V cell, a switch and a lamp labelled 1.5V, 0.20 A.

Fig.2.1

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 3

 (a) When the switch is closed the lamp does not light up.
Explain, with the aid of a diagram, how to use a voltmeter to find out whether the cell
has run down.

............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Suggest three other possible faults in the circuit that might prevent the lamp from lighting.
1. ...............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
2. ...............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
3. ...............................................................................................................................................
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5054/04/M/J/04
2 A diode is an electrical device that lets current pass through it in one direction only. The
circuit symbol for a diode is shown in Fig. 2.1.

Fig.2.1

The arrow shows the direction of the conventional current I when the diode is conducting.
(a) Complete Fig. 2.1 to show a series circuit that includes
(i) a 1.5 V power supply of fixed voltage, connected so that the diode is conducting,
(ii) an ammeter to measure the diode current I,
(iii) a switch,
(iv) a lamp, rated at 1.25 V, 0.25 A, in series with the diode and the power supply. [3]

(b) On Fig. 2.1, mark with a ‘+’ sign the positive terminals of the power supply and the
ammeter. [1]

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 4

 (c) What would happen if the diode is connected the other way round?
...............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(d) Why is it necessary to include a lamp in this circuit?
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5054/04/M/J/06
3 Fig. 3.1 shows a ‘puzzle box’ containing a single electrical component connected the terminals A
and B. The box is sealed and the component inside is hidden.

Fig.2.1
The box contains one of the following:
a broken wire,
a connecting lead,
a diode,
a 20_ resistor.
You are to find out what is inside the box. You are provided with a 6 V battery, a lamp rated
as 6V 0.3A and connecting leads.
(a) Draw a diagram of the circuit you would use. [1]

(b) Describe the procedure to be followed.

..............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) State what you would expect to observe for each of the possible components in the box.
broken wire: .....................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
connecting lead: ..............................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
diode: ...............................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
20Ωresistor: ...................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................... [4]

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 5

5054/04/O/N/08
4 (a) A lamp is marked 6 V, 0.3 A. These are the values of voltage and current at which the lamp
is normally used. The lamp is shown in Fig. 4.1.

Fig.4.1

(i) The lamp is connected in circuit A and then in circuit B, as shown in Fig. 4.2.

Fig.4.2

State what the student observes when the switch is closed in each circuit.
circuit A .............................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
circuit B .............................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) The lamp is then connected in the circuit shown in Fig. 4.3.

Fig.4.3
State and explain what is observed as the switch is closed in Fig. 4.3.
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............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 6

 (b) A lamp has no voltage marking.
Describe an experiment to find the voltage at which the lamp blows. Include a circuit diagram
in your answer.

.................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................
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............................................................................................................................................. [3]

5054/04/O/N/09

4 Fig. 4.1 is a circuit containing a cell, a resistor, a switch and a 1.0 m length of thin nichrome wire.

Fig.4.1
Measuring the resistance of the nichrome wire allows the diameter of the wire to be determined.
(a) In the space below, re-draw Fig. 4.1, adding an ammeter and a voltmeter to enable the
resistance of the wire to be found.

[2]
(b) Suggest a reason for including the resistor in the circuit.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) Fig. 4.2 shows the readings on the ammeter and on the voltmeter.

Fig.4.2
MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 7
 State the reading on
(i) the voltmeter, .............................................
(ii) the ammeter. ............................................. [2]
(d) The diameter d, in millimetres, of the nichrome wire is given by the relationship
d2= 6 I / πV

where I is the ammeter reading in amperes,

and V is the voltmeter reading in volts.

Calculate d, giving your answer to 2 significant figures.

d = ........................................... mm [2]

(e) Suggest a suitable measuring instrument to check your value for the diameter of the wire.
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Electricity 8