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Electric circuits practise questions

Microbial bioprocessing 3 (Vaal University of Technology)

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ELECTRIC CIRCUIT PRACTISE QUESTIONS

2014 Exemplar Paper 1 Q 9

In an experiment, learners use the circuit below to determine the internal

resistance of a cell.

The circuit consists of a cell of emf E and internal resistance r. A voltmeter is

placed across a variable resistor which can be set to known values R.
The equation used by the learners is:

They obtain the graph below.

9.1.1 Write down a mathematical relationship for the slope of the graph. (1)

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Use the information in the graph and calculate the:

9.1.2 Emf of the cell (2)
9.1.3 Internal resistance of the cell (3)
9.2 In the electrical circuit shown below, the battery has an emf of 6 V and an
internal resistance of 1 Ω. The total external resistance of the circuit is 9 Ω.

9.2.1 Calculate the current in R1 when the switch is closed. (3)

The power dissipated in resistor R1 is 1,8 W. The resistance of resistor R3 is 4
times that of resistor R2. (R3 = 4R2)
9.2.2 Calculate the resistance of resistor R2. (5)
9.3A hair dryer operates at a potential difference of 240 V and a current of 9,5 A.
It takes a learner 12 minutes to completely dry her hair. Eskom charges energy
usage at R1,47 per unit. Calculate the cost of operating the hairdryer for the 12
minutes. (1 unit = 1 kW·h) (4)

2008 June Higher Grade Paper 1 Q 10

Thembi wants to listen to her radio which is rated 6 V, 3 W. The only available
battery is a 24 V battery. She decides to use an appropriate resistor to get the
correct voltage for her radio.
10.1 Calculate the maximum current which the radio draws from the battery when
operating at its rated voltage. (4)
10.2 Draw a circuit diagram to show how Thembi should connect the resistor to the
radio and the battery. (3)
10.3 If the battery has an internal resistance of 2 Ω, calculate the resistance of
the resistor which Thembi has to use. (7)

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2006 November Higher Grade Paper 1 Q 9

In the circuit represented below, the resistance of R1, which is connected in
parallel with the 10 Ω resistor, is unknown. When switch S is open, the reading on
V1 is 45 V. The battery has an internal resistance of 0,5 Ω .

When switch S is closed, the reading on V1 is 43,5 V.

Calculate:
9.1 The reading on A1 (5)
9.2 The reading on V2 (3)
9.3 The reading on A2 (4)
9.4 The resistance of R1 (4)

2015 Eastern Cape Prelim Paper 1 Q 9

Learners conduct an experiment as shown in the diagram below.

The results obtained are shown in the graph below.

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Use the graph to determine the following:

9.1.1 Emf (ε) of the battery (1)
9.1.2 Internal resistance of the battery, WITHOUT USING THE EQUATION
ε = I(R + r) IN YOUR CALCULATIONS (4)

The resistance of the rheostat is now increased.

9.2.1 How will this change the voltmeter reading?
Write down INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAIN THE SAME. (1)
9.2.2 Explain your answer. (3)
9.3 Four identical cells, EACH with a emf of 1,5 V and an internal resistance of
0,25 Ω are connected in series with each other and to the resistors as shown
below.

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9.3.1 Write down the potential difference across the cells when the switch is
open. (2)
9.3.2 When switch S is closed, the potential difference across the 4 Ω resistor
is 2 V.
Calculate the:
(a) Current in the circuit (3)
(b) Rx (8)

2015 Limpopo Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

In the circuit represented below, the battery has an emf of 10 V and an unknown
internal resistance, r. Voltmeter V1 is connected across the battery and voltmeter
V2 is connected across the open switch. Ignore the resistance of the ammeter and
connecting wires.

8.1 Switch S is open. Will the readings on voltmeters V1 and V2 be the same?
Provide a reason for your answer. (2)
8.2 When the switch S is closed the reading on voltmeter V1 drops to
7,5 V.
8.2.1 What is the reading on voltmeter V2? (1)
8.2.2 If the reading on the ammeter is 2,5 A, calculate the value of R. (7)
8.2.3 Define, in words, the term internal resistance. (2)
8.2.4 Calculate the internal resistance of the battery. (3)
8.3 Does the reading on the ammeter INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE
SAME when the resistor R is removed? (1)

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2015 Metro South Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

In the circuit represented below, voltmeter V1 reads 12 V when the switch is open
and 10,8 V when the switch is closed. The internal resistance of the battery, r, and
the resistance of resistor R4 are unknown. When the switch S is closed, the power
dissipated in resistor R2 is 2 W. The voltmeters have a very high resistance and
the resistance of the ammeter is so small that it can be disregarded.

8.1 Calculate:-
8.1.1 The reading on the ammeter. (3)
8.1.2 The reading on voltmeter V2. (3)
8.1.3 The current which flows through the battery. (4)
8.1.4 The internal resistance of the battery. (3)
8.2 R4 is replaced by a conductor with negligible resistance. How will this affect
the power of R2? Write down INCREASE, DECREASE, BECOME ZERO or REMAIN
CONSTANT and give a reason for answer. (2)

2014 Winelands Prelim Paper 1 Q 7

Candice and Andisiwe conduct an investigation to determine the emf (e) and the
internal resistance (r) of an unknown battery by experiment using three resistors.
They use the circuit below with first one resistor in series, then two resistors in
series and then three resistors in series. They also connect a voltmeter and an
ammeter in this circuit.

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When switch S was closed, they obtained the following results:

7.1 Sketch this circuit in your answer book. Show in your sketch where the learners
connected the ammeter and the voltmeter. (2)

7.2 Calculate the value of e and r that they obtained in their investigation by using
their results (7)

2014 Limpopo Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

The battery in the circuit, represented in the diagram below, has an internal
resistance r. When switch S is closed the reading on voltmeter V2 is 18 V and
resistor R dissipates 13,5W.

8.1 Calculate the resistance of resistor R. (3)

8.2 Calculate the reading on the ammeter. (5)
8.3 Explain, in words, what is meant by the term internal resistance. (2)
8.4 Calculate the potential difference across the 10 resistor. (3)
8.5 When switch S is opened the reading on voltmeter V1 changes to
45,9 V. Hence, calculate the internal resistance of the battery. (5)
8.6 Does the external resistance in the circuit INCREASE, DECREASE
or REMAIN THE SAME when the resistor R is removed? (1)

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2010 Gauteng Prelim Paper 1 Q 9

In the circuit below, the battery has an emf of 24 V and an internal resistance of
2 Ω. Voltmeter V1 is connected as shown and voltmeter V2 is connected across the
three parallel resistors. The resistances of the connecting wires and ammeter can
be ignored.

9.1 Explain emf when referring to an electrical cell (2)

With switch S is open, calculate the reading on
9.2.1 V1? (2)
9.2.2 V2? (2)
With switch S is closed, calculate the…
9.3.1 Total resistance of the entire circuit (4)
9.3.2 charge moving past a cross section of the 8 Ω resistor in one minute (5)

2016 March Paper 1 Q 9

A battery of an unknown emf and an internal resistance of 0,5 Ω is connected to
three resistors, a high-resistance voltmeter and an ammeter of negligible
resistance, as shown below.

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The reading on the ammeter is 0,2 A.

9.1 Calculate the:
9.1.1 Reading on the voltmeter (3)
9.1.2 Total current supplied by the battery (4)
9.1.3 Emf of the battery (5)
9.2 How would the voltmeter reading change if the 2 Ω resistor is removed from
the circuit? Write down INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME. Explain
the answer (3)

2012 Gauteng Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

The circuit diagram below shows a battery with emf of 24 V and an unknown
internal resistance. The ohmic resistors R1, R2 and R3 have resistances as shown in
the diagram. The resistance of resistor R4 is unknown. When switch S is closed,
the reading on voltmeter V2 is 22 V and the current through resistor R1 is 0,9 A.
The ammeter has negligible resistance

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8.1 Define the term ohmic resistor. (2)

8.2 Calculate the following:

8.2.1 Equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of resistors (3)

82.2 Magnitude of the current in resistor R2 (2)

8.2.3 Resistance of resistor R4 (5)
8.3 Explain why the reading on V2 decreases when switch S is closed. Refer to
the energy transferred in the battery in your explanation (3)

2013 March Paper 1 Q 9

The circuit represented below is used to investigate the relationship between the
current passing through and the potential difference across resistor P.

The results obtained are used to draw the graph below.

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9.1.1 Write down the independent variable. (1)

9.1.2 Write down the variable that must be controlled. (1)
9.1.3 Write down the conclusion that can be obtained from the graph. (2)
9.1.4 Using the gradient of the graph, calculate the resistance of resistor P. (4)
9.2 In the circuit represented below, a battery of emf 30 V and unknown internal
resistance r are connected to resistors, as shown. Ignore the resistance of the
ammeter and the connecting wires.

The current passing through the 10 Ω resistor is 0,6 A.

9.2.1 Equivalent resistance of the two resistors in parallel (3)
9.2.2 Current through the 8 Ω resistor (4)
9.2.3 Internal resistance of the battery (4)

2014 Mpumalanga Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

Learners investigate the conductivity of two metal wires P and Q that are made of
different materials. They connect one wire at a time in a circuit diagram as shown
below.

The potential difference across each wire is increased by a constant amount and
the current is measured accordingly. The learners represent their observations in
the following sketch graph.

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8.1 Write down the investigative question. (2)

8.2 State TWO variables that the learners had to keep constant in the
investigation. (2)
8.3 With reference to the gradients of the graph, determine which one of the
wires is the better conductor. Write down P or Q and explain your answer. (3)

2007 November Higher Grade Paper 1 Q 8

Peter opens the door of his car and the inside light is activated. The car battery
has an emf of 12 V and an internal resistance of 0,45 Ω. The inside light is rated
10 V, 8 W.
8.1State the relationship between power and electric current. (2)
8.2Calculate the resistance of the inside light when it operates at a constant
potential difference of 10 V. (4)
He observes that the cabin light in his car dims when the car is started. He
decides to investigate the circuit involved in his motorcar to explain the dimming
of the light. He draws the following circuit diagram showing how the different
parts are connected.

8.3 Explain why the inside light dims if the car is started or, as indicated in the
diagram, the switch S2 is closed (4)
8.4Calculate the current at which the inside light operates if the total current in
the circuit is 10 A when switch S2 is closed. (5)

“We never stop running, never”!!-Mr X

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