Electricity week : (6 – 10 July 2020)

1 A student investigates how the resistance of a thermistor changes with temperature. Fig. 1.1 shows part of the
circuit the student uses.

Fig. 1.1

(a) The student measures the potential difference across the thermistor.
On Fig. 1.1, draw a voltmeter symbol, correctly connected, to measure the potential difference. [1]

(b) The student varies the temperature of the thermistor and measures the current in it. Some of the results are
shown in the table.

Temperature of thermistor / C 20 40 60 80
Current in thermistor / A 0.005 0.010 0.040

(i) The potential difference across the thermistor is 6.0 V. Calculate the resistance of the thermistor when its
temperature is 40 C. [3]

(ii) Describe and explain what happens to the current in the thermistor as the temperature of the thermistor rises.

[2]

(iii) Suggest a value for the current in the thermistor at 80 C. ………………………………. A [1]

(c) At a different temperature, the resistance of the thermistor is 300  and the resistance of the variable resistance
is 400 . Calculate the value of their combined resistance. [1]

[Total: 8]
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2 A student sets up a circuit using batteries, two lamps, a switch and a resistor, as in Fig. 2.1.

Battery

Lamp L Lamp M Switch

Resistor
Fig. 2.1

(a) Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using the correct symbols for the components. [3]

(b) Each lamp is rated 2.5 V, 0.50 A.

Calculate the resistance of one of the lamps when it is operating at the correct voltage.

Resistance = ……………………………… [3]

(c) When the switch is closed, will lamp L be brighter, dimmer or the same brightness as lamp M? Justify your answer.

[3]
[total: 9]
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3 A student makes a 2.0 V battery by connecting two cells of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 2.0 V in parallel.
The battery, an ammeter with different ranges and three different resistors are used to set up the circuit shown
in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1

(a) (i) Explain what is meant by electromotive force.

[2]

(ii) State one advantage of using two cells in parallel rather than using a single 2.0 V cell.

[1]

(b) Resistor X and the 3.0  resistor have a combined resistance that is equal to 2.0 .
Calculate
(i) the total resistance of the circuit,

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

(ii) the resistance of X.

resistance of X = ...........................................................[2]

(c) (i) Determine the reading of the ammeter.

reading = ..............................................[2]
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(ii) Suggest a suitable range for the ammeter.
[1]

(d) The current in the 2.0  resistor is I2.

The current in the 3.0  resistor is I3.
The current in X is IX.
State the equation that relates I2, I3 and IX.
[1]

(e) State the potential difference (p.d.) across

(i) the 2.0  resistor,
p.d. = ...........................................................[1]

(ii) the 3.0  resistor.

p.d. = ...........................................................[1]

(f) The student sets up a second circuit using a variable d.c. power supply, an ammeter and a 12 V metal filament
lamp. The circuit is shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2

The d.c. power supply is set to 12 V and the ammeter reading is 1.5 A.
The student changes the e.m.f. of the d.c. power supply to 6.0 V. The lamp dims and the ammeter reading changes.

(i) State and explain what happens to the resistance of the metal filament of the lamp.

[2]

(ii) State whether the new ammeter reading is less than, equal to or greater than 0.75 A.
[1]
[total: 15]