PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

PAPER-1 Multiple Choice

1-Which combination of identical resistors gives the lowest total resistance? [Nov-2002]

2- The circuit diagram shows a parallel arrangement of resistors. P, Q, R

and S represent the current at the points shown. Which statement is
correct?
A P is greater than Q. B Q is equal to R.
C R is greater than S. D S is equal to P.

3- The diagram shows part of an electric circuit.

What is the current in the 2Ω resistor?
A 0.6A B 1.2A C 3.0A D 6.0A [May-2003]

4- Which two resistor combinations have the same resistance between X and Y?

A P and Q B P and S C Q and R D R and S [May-2004]

5- In the circuit shown, at which point is the current the

smallest? B

[Nov-2004]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

6- A cell is connected in series with an ammeter and a lamp. The current is 1 A.

In which circuit, using identical cells, lamps and ammeters, is the current
reading 2 A? D

[May-2005]

7- In the circuit shown, the battery lights up all four lamps. When one
of the lamp filaments melts, the other three lamps stay on.
Which lamp filament melts? B

[Nov-2005]

8- Two resistors of 6 Ω and 12 Ω are arranged in parallel. A p.d. is connected across the terminals X
and Y. The current through the 6 Ω resistor is 4 A.

What is the current in the ammeter?

A4A B6A C8A D 12 A

[Nov-2006]

9- The diagram shows a circuit.

The ammeter has negligible resistance.What is the resistance of the

resistor R?
A 0.5 Ω B 1.5 Ω C5Ω D6Ω

[May-2007]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

10- The following circuit is set up. What is the reading on the ammeter?
A 0.33 A B 0.50 A C 0.67 A D 1.0 A

11- Diagram 1 shows a resistor connected to a battery, an ammeter and a voltmeter.

The ammeter reading is 0.5 A and the voltmeter reading is 3.0V. A second identical resistor is now
connected in parallel with the first resistor, as shown in diagram 2. What are the ammeter and voltmeter
readings in the circuit shown in diagram 2?
ammeter reading/A voltmeter reading/V
A 0.5 3.0
B 0.5 6.0
C 1.0 1.5
D 1.0 3.0
[Nov-2003] / [May-2006]

12- The diagram shows a cell connected in series with

an ammeter and three resistors (10 Ω, 20 Ω,30 Ω). The
circuit can be completed by a moveable contact M.
When M is connected to X, the ammeter reads 0.6 A.
What is the ammeter reading when M is connected to
Y?
A 0.1 A B 0.2 A C 0.3 A D 0.6 A
[Nov-2005]

13- At which point in the circuit is the current the

smallest? D

[May-2007]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

14- A student sets up the circuit shown. The currents measured with the
ammeters are shown.
Which equation is correct?
A I1 = I2 + I3 + I4 B I1 = I2 = I3 = I4
C I2 + I3 = I4 + I1 D I4 = I3 + I2 + I1

15- A 1.0Ω resistor and a 2.0Ω resistor are connected in series across a 12V d.c. supply.What is the current
in the circuit?
A 0.25A B 4.0A C 6.0A D 12A [Nov-2003]

16- A student has a chain of 20 lamps. These are wired in series and connected to the mains. One lamp
blows and all the others go out. The student wants to find the faulty lamp and replace it. Where should the
student begin?
A anywhere, because the current was the same in each lamp
B at the live end of the chain, because the current was greatest there
C at the middle of the chain, because the current was greatest there
D at the neutral end of the chain, because the current was least there [May-2009]

17-The circuit diagram shows three resistors in parallel with a battery.

What is the effective resistance of these three resistors?

A 0.57 Ω B 0.86 Ω C 1.75 Ω D 7.00 Ω [Nov-2009]

18- A student tests the circuit of a press-button telephone with a lamp and a battery.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

Which single switch can be pressed to make the lamp

light?
A0 B1 C5 D6 [May-2010]

19- When three identical resistors are connected in series, their combined resistance is 6Ω.

What is their combined resistance when they are connected in parallel?

1 2 3
A6Ω B Ω C 2Ω D 6Ω [Nov-2010]
3

PAPER-2 Theory

1- Figure shows a circuit in which a voltmeter is placed across a resistor.

The potential difference across the 12Ω resistor is 4.0 V.
The voltmeter has three different ranges: 0 to 3.0 V, 0 to
6.0 V and 0 to 30 V. The best range for use in this circuit
is 0 to 6.0 V.

(a) Explain why

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

(i) using the voltmeter on the range 0 to 3.0 V is unsuitable,

(ii) using the voltmeter on the range 0 to 30 V is unsuitable.

(b) (i) Calculate the current in the 12Ω resistor. State the formula that you use.

current = ………………

(ii) Calculate the p.d. between A and B in Figure.

p.d. = ………………….

2- A motorcycle battery consists of six 2.0 V cells in

series. The battery supplies energy to the headlight.
(a) State the total electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the
battery.

(b) The motorcycle headlight contains two identical

filament lamps F and G. Filament lamp F is always lit
but filament lamp G is turned on and off by switch
D.Fig. 7.1 is the circuit diagram.
When switch D is open, the battery supplies a
current of 4.6 A.
Complete the table of Fig. 7.2.

(c) Calculate the energy supplied by the battery as an electric

charge of 200 C moves through the circuit.
energy supplied = ......................

3- Fig. 11.1 shows a 9.0 V battery connected in series with a 16.0

Ω resistor and a small metal conductor X at room temperature.
A voltmeter measures the potential difference (p.d.) across the
16.0 Ω resistor. At room temperature the resistance of X is 4.0
Ω.
(a)
(i) Calculate the current supplied by the battery.
(ii) Calculate the p.d. across the 16.0 Ω resistor.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

(b) X is heated slowly to a very high temperature.

(i) Sketch a graph to show how the resistance of a metal conductor depends on its temperature.
(ii) State and explain how the voltmeter reading changes as the temperature of X rises.
(iii) Suggest a suitable range for the voltmeter.

4- Fig.11.1 shows a wiring diagram for two different lamps A and B.

(a) State the names of components C and D and
explain the purpose, in this circuit, of each of
these components.

(b) When both lamps are working correctly, the

current in C is 0.42 A.
Lamp A is marked 240 V, 60W. Calculate
(i) the current in lamp A
(ii) the current in lamp B,
(iii) the resistance of lamp A.

(c) The two lamps in Fig. 11.1 are connected in parallel. When wiring the circuit in a house, an
electrician makes a mistake and connects the two lamps in series to the mains supply. He switches them on.
(i) Draw a circuit diagram showing the two lamps connected in series to the mains supply.
(ii) State whether the current in the two lamps is larger than, the same as, or smaller than
the currents you have calculated in (b). Explain your answer.

(d) Another lamp is made using the same material for the filament as lamp A.
The filament in this new lamp has the same length as the filament in lamp A but has half the cross-sectional
area.State the resistance of the new lamp.

5- Fig. 7.1 shows an electrical circuit containing a 12 V power supply and a number of resistors.
(a) Calculate the combined resistance of:

(i) the 2 Ω and 4 Ω resistors in series,

resistance = ..................
(ii) the 3 Ω and 6 Ω resistors in parallel.
resistance = ...................
(b) Calculate the reading of the ammeter in Fig. 7.1.
ammeter reading = .................

(c) Determine the potential difference across the 4 Ω

resistor.
p.d. =.............

[May-2007]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-14 DC Circuits

6- Fig. 8.1 shows an electrical circuit using two resistors.

(a) The switch S is open and the ammeter reading is zero.
State the value of the potential difference across the 6Ω resistor.
potential difference = .................

(b) Switch S is now closed.

(i) State the value of the total resistance of the circuit.

resistance = ...............
(ii) Calculate the current in the ammeter. State clearly the formula
that you use.

current = ..................
(iii) Calculate the potential difference across the 6Ω resistor.
p.d. =........................

PAPER-4 Alternative to Practical

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

PAPER-1 Multiple Choice

1- Which of the following would cost the least if operated from the same voltage supply?
A a 5000 W electric cooker used for 1 minute B a 1000 W electric fire used for 10 minutes
C a 500 W electric iron used for 1 hour D a 100 W lamp used for 1 day
[Nov-2006]

2- The diagram shows the circuit for a hair-dryer. The fan has a power rating of 0.1 kW and the heaters each
have a rating of 0.5 kW. The cost of electricity is 5 cents/kW h. What is the cost of running the dryer for two
hours with switches P and Q closed and switch R open?
A 1.6 cents B 3.2 cents C 6.0 cents D 7.0 cents

3- The case of an electric fan is earthed. The plug to the fan contains a 5 A fuse. There is a current of 4 A
when the fan works normally. The cable to the fan becomes so worn that the live wire makes electrical
contact with the metal case. What happens?
A The current flows to earth and the fuse is not affected.
B The fuse melts and switches off the circuit.
C The metal case becomes live and dangerous.
D The metal case becomes very hot.

4- In an a.c. electric circuit in a house, the switch for any device is always connected to the ‘live’ lead.Why is
this? [Nov-2002]
A No current ever flows in the neutral lead of the device.
B The device will be shorted if the switch is in the earth lead.
C The device can never be switched off if the switch is in the neutral lead.
D The device can only be isolated (made safe) if the switch is in the live lead.

5- A house-owner replaced a failed fuse for the lights of the house. When the lights were switched on, the
new fuse also failed. The house-owner then used another fuse with a higher rating than the previous two.
Why was this not a sensible thing to do? [Nov-2002] / [Nov-2006]
A Fuses allow the circuit to work only if the rating is exactly right.
B The fuse has already melted because the rating was too high.
C Using a fuse with too high a rating would cause electric shocks.
D A fuse with a higher rating might allow the circuit to work, but the fault would not be corrected.

6- An electric heater consists of a heating element mounted on a metal reflector. The reflector is connected
to earth. Where should the switch for the heating element be connected?
A between the earth wire and the reflector B between the live wire and the heating element
C between the live wire and the neutral wire D between the neutral wire and the heating element
[May-2003]

7- The cable to an electric fan becomes so worn that the live wire makes electrical contact with the metal
case. The case is earthed. The plug to the fan contains a 5A fuse. There is a current of 4A when the fan
works normally. What will happen?
A The current will run to earth and the fuse will not be affected.
B The fuse will melt and switch off the circuit.
C The metal case will become live and dangerous.
D The metal case will become very hot. [Nov-2003]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

8- In order to turn off both lamps, which is the safest switch

position?

[May-2004]

9- Which circuit shows how the heater in an electric iron and a fuse should be connected to a mains
electricity supply? D [Nov-2004]

10- An electric kettle is plugged in and switched on. The fuse in the plug blows immediately.
Which single fault could cause this?
A The earth wire is not connected to the kettle.
B The live wire and neutral wire connections in the plug are swapped around.
C The live wire touches the metal case of the kettle.
D The wires connected to the plug are too thin. [Nov-2005]

11- What is the purpose of a circuit breaker in an electric circuit?

A to change alternating current into direct current B to keep the current constant
C to prevent the current from becoming too large D to reduce the current to a safe value

12- The diagram shows the components of a lighter for a gas cooker.

Which circuit diagram is correct for this lighter?

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

13- In each of the circuits below, a short circuit occurs.In which circuit would the fuse blow and make the
circuit safe to repair? A

[May-2005]

14- How much energy is converted in a resistor of 5.0 Ω carrying a current of 2.0 A for 10 seconds?
A 4.0 J B 25 J C 100 J D 200 J [May-2006]

15- A small heater operates at 12V, 3A.How much energy will it use when it is run for 5 minutes?
A 30 J B 120 J C 10800 J D 7200 J [Nov-2003]

16- Energy is represented by the letter E, current by I, power by P, charge by Q, p.d. by V and time by t.
Which pair of equations is correct?
A E = It and P = VIt B E = VQ / t and P = VI
C E = VIt and P = VI D E = VQ and P = VI / t

17- A battery is used to light a 24 W electric lamp. The battery provides a

charge of 50 C in 50 s.

What is the potential difference across the bulb?

A 5 V B 12 V C 24 V D 120 V

18- A 24Ω resistor is to be connected in series with a 12 V battery.What is the power loss in the resistor?
A 0.5W B 6W C 12 W D 24W [Nov-2002]

19- A combined bathroom unit of a heater and a lamp is controlled by one switch. The unit contains a
2 kW heater and a 100 W lamp. In one week, the lamp uses 1 kW h of electrical energy.
How much electrical energy is used by the heater alone?
A 2 kW h B 4 kW h C 10 kW h D 20 kW h [Nov-2005]

20- The diagram shows the circuit for a hair-dryer. The fan has a power rating of 0.1 kW and the heaters
each have a rating of 0.4 kW. The cost of electricity is 8 cents/kW h.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

What is the cost of running the dryer for two hours with switches P
and Q closed and switch R
open?

A 1.6 cents B 3.2 cents C 6.4 cents D 8.0 cents

[May-2007]

21- Which circuit shows the correct positions for the fuse and the switch in the lighting circuit of a
house? C

[May-2007]

22-An electric iron is marked 240V, 2500W. Four fuses are available with values of 5A, 10A, 13A and 30A.
Which fuse should be used?
A 5A B 10A C 13A D 30A [May-2009]

23-A plug is wrongly wired as shown. It is connected to an old vacuum cleaner,

which has a metal case.

What is the effect of using the plug wired in this way?

A The fuse in the plug blows. B The metal case is live.
C The neutral wire melts. D The vacuum cleaner catches fire.
[May-2009]

24- The diagram shows a standard mains plug.

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

What are the correct colours for the wires?

N E L
A blue brown green and yellow
B blue green and yellow brown
C brown green and yellow blue
D green and yellow brown blue
[Nov-2009]

25- Which costs the most if operated from the same mains supply?
A a 5000 W electric cooker used for 1 minute B a 1000 W electric fire used for 10 minutes
C a 500 W electric iron used for 1 hour D a 100 W lamp used for 1 day [Nov-2009]

26- Which quantity is measured in kilowatt-hours?

A charge B current C energy D power [May-2010]

27- The metal case of an electric heater is earthed. The plug to the heater contains a 5A fuse. There is a
current of 4A when the heater works normally. The cable to the heater becomes so worn that the live wire
makes electrical contact with the case.
What happens?
A The current flows to earth and the fuse is not affected. B The fuse melts and switches off the circuit.
C The metal case becomes live and dangerous. D The metal case becomes very hot.
[May-2010]

28- Many electrical appliances have metal cases. To prevent the case from becoming ‘live’, with the
possibility of an electric shock, the earth wire of the electric cable is attached to the case. How does the earth
wire prevent an electric shock?
A It allows a current to flow to earth, so that the appliance continues working.
B It allows a large current to flow to earth, blowing the fuse.
C It prevents the fuse from blowing.
D It reduces the current to a safe level. [Nov-2010]

PAPER-2 Theory

1- A lamp is rated at 60W 240V.Calculate:

a) the current flowing through the lamp under normal use.

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

Current I=………….

b) the resistance of the filament in the lamp

resistance R=…………

c)the cost of using 10 such lamps in paralel for 10 hours continuously at 4Rs per kWh unit?

Cost=…………….

2- Figure shows a mains extension lead. The six sockets allow several electrical appliances to be connected
to the mains supply through one cable.

(a) The cable connects the sockets to the

mains supply.
The cable contains three wires: live, neutral
and earth. State what is meant by

(i) live,

(ii) neutral,

(iii) earth.

(b) Six powerful lamps are plugged into the sockets and switched on, one by one.
(i) State what happens in the cable as the lamps are switched on, one by one.

(ii) Describe why it can be dangerous when a fuse of the wrong value is used in the plug.

(c) Explain why your hands should be dry when you put a plug into a socket.

[May-2006]

3- A microwave oven is rated at 650 W and is connected to a 230 V mains supply.

(a) (i) Calculate the current from the supply when the microwave oven is switched on.
current = ............................
(ii) Suggest a rating of the fuse for use with this oven.
fuse rating = .........................
(b) The insulation of the mains cable has worn away. The live wire touches the outer metal casing of the
microwave oven.
(i) Explain the hazard that results if the outer metal casing is not earthed.
(ii) Explain how connecting the earth wire to the outer casing and using a fuse of a suitable rating
removes this hazard.

4- The owner of a house records the details of the electricity use of all the appliances during a
day. The details are shown in Fig. 4.1.
appliance power rating /kW time switched on/ hours energy used/kWh
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

TV and computer 1.0 2.0

kettle 2.0 0.1
lights 0.6 1.5
water heater 3.0 0.4
air conditioner 1.5 2.0
Fig. 4.1

(a) Complete Fig. 4.1 by calculating the energy used by each appliance.
(b) State which appliance has cost the most to use during the day.

(c) The house has a meter to record the total electrical energy used. At the beginning of the day, the meter
reading was 6350.5kWh.Calculate the meter reading at the end of the day.

meter reading = .....................................

(d) The wires supplying electric current to the water heater are thicker than those supplying
current to the lights.Explain why this is necessary.
[Nov-2002]
5- The table gives information about two household appliances.
appliance mains current power power time used energy used
supply through /W / kW per day per day
voltage appliance /h / kWh
/V /A
television 240 1.20 288 0.288 2.50 0.720

water 240 12.6 0.50

heater

(a) Write the missing values in the empty spaces in the table.
(b) Why is more power needed for the water heater than for the television?
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
.........................
(c) The water heater is connected to the mains supply. Explain why using a 3 A fuse would not be suitable.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................... [May-2005]

6- Fig. 9.1 shows an electric kettle.

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

(a) The body of the kettle is plastic but the outside casing of the heating element is metal.
(i) Explain why a fuse is included in the circuit and explain what happens when the fuse blows.
(ii) Explain why the metal casing of the heating element is connected to earth.
(b) The electrical power input to the kettle is 2000W and the kettle is used for 6 minutes (0.1 hour).Calculate
(i) the electrical energy, in J, supplied to the kettle. State clearly the formula that relates power, energy
and time.
(ii) the electrical energy, in kW h, supplied to the kettle.
(iii) the cost of using the kettle if 1 kWh costs 8 cents.
(c) When the kettle is switched off, the water cools down. Explain, in molecular terms, how evaporation
causes a loss of energy from the water.
[Nov-2005]

7- Fig.11.1 shows a wiring diagram for two different lamps A and B.

(a) State the names of components C and
D and explain the purpose, in this circuit,
of each of these components.
(b) When both lamps are working
correctly, the current in C is 0.42 A.
Lamp A is marked 240 V, 60W. Calculate
(i) the current in lamp A,
(ii) the current in lamp B,
(iii) the resistance of lamp A.
(c) The two lamps in Fig. 11.1 are
connected in parallel. When wiring the
circuit in a house, an electrician makes a
mistake and connects the two lamps in
series to the mains supply. He switches
them on.
(i) Draw a circuit diagram showing the two lamps connected in series to the mains supply.
(ii) State whether the current in the two lamps is larger than, the same as, or smaller than the currents
you have calculated in (b). Explain your answer.
(d) Another lamp is made using the same material for the filament as lamp A.
The filament in this new lamp has the same length as the filament in lamp A but has half the
cross-sectional area.
State the resistance of the new lamp. [May-2006]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Practical Electric Circuitry

8- Fig. 10.1 shows a cable containing three wires coloured brown, blue and yellow/green, and a mains plug
with the cover removed.

(a) Describe how to connect the cable and the three wires correctly and safely to the plug.
(b) The table lamp shown in Fig. 10.2 is made from plastic. It has only two wires in the cable to connect it to
the plug.

The lamp has a power rating of 100W and is used with a 230 V supply.
(i) Which wire, earth, live or neutral, is not needed in the cable for the lamp?
(ii) Explain why the lamp is safe to use even though it has only two wires in the cable.
(iii) Explain what is meant by a power rating of 100W.
(iv) Calculate the value of the fuse that should be used in the plug for this lamp.
(v) Calculate the electrical energy supplied to the lamp in 30 minutes.

[Nov-2006]

PAPER-4 Alternative to Practical