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Physics 5054
Reinforcement Worksheet
Topic - Electrical Quantities/Electrical Circuits [50 Marks]
1 The diagram shows an electric circuit set up by a student.

switch
ammeter
metal wire
battery

lamp

15 W resistor

The current in the 15 Ω resistor in the diagram is 0.40 A when the switch is closed.

Calculate the potential difference (p.d.) across the 15 Ω resistor.

p.d. across resistor = .................................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]

2 The electric starter motor in a car is switched on and off using a relay.

The power of the starter motor is 1.8 kW and it is also operated by the 12 V car battery.

Calculate the current in the starter motor when it is used.

current = ................................................... [2]

[Total: 2]
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3 A battery consists of four cells, each of e.m.f. 1.2 V, in series.

(a) Calculate the e.m.f. of the battery.

e.m.f. = ........................................... [1]

(b) The battery is connected in a circuit with four 12 Ω resistors as shown in the circuit diagram.

Calculate the total resistance of this arrangement of resistors.

resistance = ......................................... [3]

(c) Calculate the reading on the voltmeter in the circuit diagram.

reading = ........................................ [2]

[Total: 6]

4 The unit of the two electrical quantities electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential difference (p.d.)
is the volt (V).

State one other similarity between e.m.f. and p.d.

They both are names for energy per unit charge.
..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]
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5 The electric starter motor in a car is switched on and off using a relay.

The relay consists of a plastic case and two flexible springy strips, X and Y, which are made of soft
iron. These iron strips act as the switch when a circuit is connected between the terminals W and
Z.

Diagram A shows X, Y and the plastic case.

W W
S
springy iron
X strips X

12 V car
battery
Y Y

magnetising coil
plastic case
Z Z

Diagram A Diagram B

Diagram B shows the equipment from diagram A inside a magnetising coil. The magnetising coil
is in series with the 12 V car battery and switch S, which is open.

The starter motor circuit is connected between terminals W and Z.

Explain why copper wires with a large cross-sectional area are used for this circuit.
So that there is less resistance.
..................................................................................................................................................
the wires do not catch fire or melt to the high voltage.
..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

6 The unit of the two electrical quantities electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential difference (p.d.)
is the volt (V).

State one difference between e.m.f. and p.d.

The e.m.f is the total voltage of the whole circuit, while p.d is the voltage across a specific component
..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]

7 A student has a battery-operated torch. The diagram shows the electrical components in the torch
circuit.
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battery

plastic
case
+

brass switch
connecting
strip lamp

When the torch is switched on, the potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp is 1.4 V and the current
in the lamp is 0.26 A.

(a) State the current in the brass connecting strip.

current = .............................................. A [1]

(b) Calculate the resistance of the lamp.

resistance = ..............................................Ω [3]

[Total: 4]

8 The circuit in the diagram shows two resistors, a battery, a voltmeter and a switch connected by
metal wires.

12 V

A B
10 W 20 W

The switch is closed. There is a current in the circuit.

The reading on the voltmeter is 4.0 V.

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(a) Calculate the current in the 10 Ω resistor.

current = .............................................. A [3]

(b) Determine the current in the 20 Ω resistor.

current = .............................................. A [1]

[Total: 4]

9 The diagram shows an alternating current (a.c.) power supply connected in a circuit.

A B C

On the diagram:

1. mark, with an arrow labelled E, the direction of the electron flow through component B

2. mark, with an arrow labelled I, the direction of the conventional current in component C. [2]

[Total: 2]

10 The diagram shows how the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a 60 Hz alternating current (a.c.) power
supply varies with time.
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e.m.f.

0
0 time

time period

(a) Calculate the time period of the a.c.

time period = .............................................. [1]

(b) The diagram shows this power supply connected in a circuit.

A B C

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In each time period of the a.c., 1.5 × 10 electrons pass through component A. The charge
–19
on an electron is 1.6 × 10 C.

Calculate the average current in the circuit during one time period.

current = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 4]
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11 A battery provides energy to an electric car.

The time taken for the car battery to be recharged from zero charge to full charge is 8.3 h.
The charge is delivered to the battery by a charger with a current of 32 A.

Calculate the charge supplied by the charger.

charge = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 3]

12 The diagram shows a circuit with a 3-position switch.

12 V

C
B
X
Y
A

The moving part of the switch is always connected to point Y around which it pivots. The other end
of the moving part, labelled X, can be connected to one of the points A, B or C.

The resistance of the motor is 2.0 Ω and the resistance of the resistor is 3.0 Ω.

Determine the current in the motor when the switch is connected to:

(a) point A

current = .............................................. [1]

(b) point B

current = .............................................. [2]

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(c) point C.

current = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 5]

13 The diagram shows a circuit with components B and C connected to a direct current (d.c.) power
supply of e.m.f. 12 V.

B C

The current in the circuit is 0.35 A.

Calculate the power delivered by the power supply to the circuit.

power = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

14 The diagram shows a circuit.

Y
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The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery is 12 V.

Component Y has a resistance of 400 Ω.

In a brightly lit room, the resistance of component X is 350 Ω.

(a) Calculate the current in the circuit.

current = ............................................... [2]

(b) Calculate the p.d. across component Y.

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

[Total: 3]

15 The diagram shows a circuit.

The potential difference (p.d.) across component Y is measured with a voltmeter.

On the diagram, draw the symbol for the voltmeter and its connections to the circuit. [1]

[Total: 1]
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16 The diagram shows a circuit including a 12 V battery and two identical lamps.

A
Q

When the switch is closed, the ammeter reading is 2.4 A.

Each lamp has a resistance of 3.0 Ω.

Calculate the power supplied to one lamp.

power = ..................................................... [3]

[Total: 3]

17 The diagram shows a circuit including a 12 V battery and two identical lamps.

A
Q

(a) When the switch is closed, the ammeter reading is 2.4 A.

Calculate the total resistance of the circuit.

resistance = ..................................................... [2]

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(b) Each lamp has a resistance of 3.0 Ω.

Calculate the resistance of Q.

resistance of Q = ..................................................... [2]

[Total: 4]