Electricity week : (6 – 10 July 2020)

0625/31/O/N/17 (Q9)
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]

V= IR OR R = V/I C1
R = 6.0 ÷ 0.010 C1
600 Ω A1

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

Resistance is decreasing B1
So current will increase B1 [2]

(iii) Suggest a value for the current in the thermistor at 80 C. any value of current greater than 0.04 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]

Combined resistance = 300 + 400 = 700  A1

(no mark if answer without unit)

[Total: 8]
Electricity
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]
battery

switch

Lamp L Lamp M

resistor
All symbols correct [2]
* 1 mark for at least two different symbols correct.
Correct representation of external circuit wiring with no gaps. [1]

(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.

R = V/I OR V = IR [1]
R = 2.5/0.5 [1]
R=5 [1]
Resistance = ……………………………… [3]

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

(lamp L is) brighter [1]

M is in parallel with resistor, (combined resistance is smaller than resistance of L.) [1]
Greater current in/through lamp L than that in M OR
(greater voltage across lamp L than that in M) [1]
[total: 9]
Electricity
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.

energy to drive charge around a complete circuit OR terminal p.d. on open circuit [1]
energy to drive unit charge around a circuit OR energy / charge [1]

(ii) State one advantage of using two cells in parallel rather than using a single 2.0 V cell. [1]

lasts longer or lower internal resistance OR can replace a cell without switching off
OR continues to work if one cell is flat
IGNORE more current (NOT greater e.m.f. / voltage)

(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 = 4.0 Ω [1]

(ii) the resistance of X.

1 1 1 (3×𝑥) 1 1 1
(𝑅 =) + OR OR = − [1]
𝑡𝑜𝑡 𝑅1 𝑅2 (3+𝑥) 𝑋 2 3

6.0  [1]
resistance of X = ...........................................................[2]

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

I = V/R OR 2.0/4.0
I = 0.50 A
reading = ..............................................[2]
Electricity
(ii) Suggest a suitable range for the ammeter.

from 0 AND to 0.50 A (or up to 5.0A) [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.

I2 = I3 + Ix [1]
(e) State the potential difference (p.d.) across
(i) the 2.0  resistor, p.d. = 1.0 V [1]
(ii) the 3.0  resistor. p.d. = 1.0 V [1]
Combined resistance at the parallel arrangement is 2.0, which is same as the 2.0 resistor. By using the
concept of potential divider, both resistor will get same potential difference.

(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]

The current flow in the circuit less than 1.5A, less heating effect, therefore
temperature decreases [1]
Resistance of the metal filament decreases as resistance is directly proportional to
temperature [1]

(ii) State whether the new ammeter reading is less than, equal to or greater than 0.75 A.

Greater than 0.75 A [1]

[total: 15]