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2.1 Current, Potential Difference & Resistance

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Section 2. Electricity
Topic 2.1 Current, Potential Difference & Resistance
Difficulty Medium

Time allowed: 50

Score: /34

Percentage: /100

Page 1 of 9

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Question 1
The current in a metalic conductor is a flow of
A. negatively charged electrons
B. negatively charged protons
C. positively charged electrons
D. positively charged protons
[1 mark]

Question 2a
The photograph shows a solar-powered battery charger connected to a mobile phone.

When the battery charger is used, it transfers light energy from the Sun to the battery of the mobile phone.
It takes 3.5 hours to recharge the battery fully. The average current supplied by the charger is 400 mA.
(i)
State the equation linking charge, current and time.
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the amount of charge needed to recharge the battery fully, and give the unit.
(3)
[4 marks]

Page 2 of 9

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Question 2b
If the charger is moved into the shade, the output power decreases. The voltage across the charger stays the same.
Explain how moving the charger into the shade affects the time needed to recharge the battery fully.
[2 marks]

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Question 3a
An electric vehicle has a rechargeable battery.
The battery is recharged by connecting it to a charging station.

©Epattlomer

The battery voltage is 385 V.

(i)
State the amount of energy transferred when one coulomb of charge passes through a potential difference of 385 V.
(1)

energy transferred = ............................. J

(ii)
Show that, when a charge of 180 000 C passes through the battery, the total amount of energy transferred to the battery is
about 70 MJ.
(2)
(iii)
During the charging process, energy is also transferred to the charging station from the mains supply.

Explain why the amount of energy transferred from the mains supply is more than 70 MJ.
(2)
[5 marks]

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Question 3b
Charging takes 110 minutes and causes a total charge of 180 000 C to pass through the battery.
(i)
State the equation linking charge, current and time.
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the average charging current in the battery.
(3)

current = ........................ A
[4 marks]

Question 4a
A student investigates the resistance of a lamp.
The student uses a circuit that contains an ammeter, a battery, a lamp and a voltmeter to determine the resistance of the
lamp.
Draw a circuit diagram to show how he should connect the apparatus.
[3 marks]

Page 5 of 9

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Question 4b
State the relationship between voltage, current and resistance.
[1 mark]

Question 4c
The student obtains this graph for a filament lamp.

Calculate the resistance of the lamp when the voltage is 6.0 V.

Give the unit.

resistance = ............................................... unit = ...............................................

[3 marks]

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Question 4d
The student reverses the battery connections and then repeats his measurements.
On the axes below, sketch the graph that he would obtain.
Part of the graph has been done for you.

[2 marks]

Question 5a
A student is investigating the variation of resistance and temperature in a thermistor. The diagram shows part of the circuit
the student intends to use.

Complete the circuit diagram to show how the student should connect the apparatus, including a voltmeter and an
ammeter.
[3 marks]

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Question 5b
The student chooses a fixed resistor with a resistance of 5 kΩ. The reading on the ammeter is 0.8 mA.
(i)
State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance.
(1)
(ii)
Calculate the voltage across the 5 kΩ resistor.
(2)

Voltage = ............................... V
[3 marks]

Question 5c
The manufacturer's guide states that the thermistor has a resistance of 10 kΩ at room temperature.
The student wants to confirm the accuracy of this value before starting the investigation.
At room temperature, the voltmeter shows a reading of 5.9 V.
Determine if this reading is consistent with the manufacturer's value of resistance.
[3 marks]

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