Revision questions 1

Answers to questions that require calculation can be 7 a Define the terms:

found on the accompanying CD.

i resistance [2]

ii resistivity. [2]

1 a Describe, in terms of an electron model, the

b A potential difference of 3V is applied across a

difference between an electrical conductor and

piece of copper wire of length 0.65 m and cross-

an electrical insulator. [2]

−9 2

sectional area 2.2 × 10 m . Calculate:

b Give an example of each of the following:

i the resistance of the copper wire [3]

i An insulator [1]
ii the current flowing through the wire [2]

ii A metal that is a conductor [1]

iii the power dissipated in the wire. [2]

iii A non-metal that is a conductor [1] −8

(Resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10 Ω m)

2 a Discuss two hazards of electrostatics. [4]

8 a Explain what is meant by the term drift velocity

b Discuss two applications of electrostatics. [6]

[2]

b Derive the expression for the current in a

3 A 1.5 V cell delivers a constant charge of 420 C for a

4
conductor in terms of the drift velocity of the
period of 2.8 × 10 s in a circuit.

electrons flowing in the conductor. [4]

Calculate:

c Explain why in a semiconductor, the drift velocity

a the current flowing through the circuit [3]

of the charge carriers is much larger than in a

b the resistance in the circuit [2]

metallic conductor of the same dimensions with

c the total number of electrons flowing during the

the same current flowing in it. [3]

period of 2.8 × 10 s. [2]

9 a Use energy considerations to distinguish between

4 a Explain what is meant by the terms electric

electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential

current and potential difference. [4]

difference (p.d.). [3]

b A student connects his cellular phone to charger

b Explain what is meant by the internal resistance

for a period of 2 minutes for a quick charge. The

of a cell. [1]

charger delivers a constant current of 300 mA.

c Explain why the potential difference across the

Calculate:
terminals of a battery is normally lower than the

i the charge flowing during the period [2] battery’s e.m.f. [2]

ii the number of electrons flowing during the

d Under what condition is the potential difference

period. [2]
across a battery’s terminal equal to its e.m.f.? [1]

5 a Define potential difference. [2]

10 Two resistors having resistances of 1.5 kΩ and 4.5 kΩ

b Define the unit of potential difference. [2]

are connected in series with a battery of e.m.f. 9.0 V

c Using the definition of potential difference, and negligible internal resistance shown below.

show that the power dissipated in a resistor

a Calculate the potential difference across each of

V
the resistors. [4]
of resistance R is given by P = , where V

is the potential difference across the resistor. [3]

9.0 V

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6 A potential difference of 12 V causes 2.4 × 10

electrons to flow through a metallic conductor in

1.2 minutes. Calculate:

1.5 kΩ 4.5 kΩ

a the charge that flowed through the conductor [2]

b the electric current flowing through the

conductor [2]

c the resistance of the conductor. [2]

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