9 3 Resistance and Resistivity 6PlIQQl2ZPAEcbR

A Level CIE Physics 1 hour 60 questions
Multiple Choice Questions
9.3 Resistance &

Resistivity
Resistance / Ohm's Law / I-V Characteristics / Resistance in a Filament Lamp /
Resistivity / Resistance in Sensory Resistors
Easy (20 questions) /20 Scan here for your answers

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Medium (20 questions) /20
Hard (20 questions) /20
Total Marks /60
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Easy Questions
1 Which equation is used to define resistance?
A. energy = (current)2 × resistance × time
B. potential difference = current × resistance
C. power = (current)2 × resistance
D. resistivity = resistance × area ÷ length
(1 mark)
2 What is the unit of resistance when expressed in SI base units?
A. kg m2 s–2 A–1
B. kg m2 s–3 A–2
C. kg m s–2 A–1
D. kg m s–3 A–1
(1 mark)
3 Which graph shows the I–V characteristic of a filament lamp ?
(1 mark)
4 The resistance R of a resistor is determined by measuring the potential difference V

across it and the current I in it. The value of R is then calculated using the equation
V
R=
I
The values measured are V = 1.00 ± 0.05 V and I = 0.50 ± 0.01 A.
What is the percentage uncertainty in the value of R ?
A. 2.5 %
B. 3.0 %
C. 7.0 %
D. 10.0 %
(1 mark)
5 The graph shows how the electric current I through a conducting liquid varies with the
potential difference V across it.
At which point on the graph does the liquid have the smallest resistance?
(1 mark)
6 The graphs show the variation with potential difference V of the current I for three
circuit components.
The components are a metal wire at constant temperature, a semiconductor diode and a
filament lamp.
Which row of the table correctly identifies these graphs?
Metal wire at
Semiconductor
constant Filament lamp
diode
temperature
A X Z Y
B Y X Z
C Y Z X
D Z X Y
(1 mark)
7 What is a correct statement of Ohm's Law?
A. the potential difference across a component equals the current providing the
resistance and other physical conditions stay constant
B. the potential difference across a component equals the current multiplied by the
resistance
C. the potential difference across a component is proportional to its resistance.
D. the potential difference across a component is proportional to the current in it

providing physical conditions stay constant
(1 mark)
8 The graphs show possible current-voltage (I–V) relationships for a filament lamp and a
semiconductor diode.
Which row best specifies the correct I–V graphs for the lamp and the diode?
Filament lamp Semiconductor diode
A P R
B P S
C Q R
D Q S
(1 mark)
9 An electrical component has a potential difference V across it and a current I through it.
A graph of I against V is drawn and is marked in three sections WX, XY and YZ.
In which ways does the resistance of the component vary within each of the three
sections?
WX XY YZ
A constant decreases increases
B constant increases increases
C increases decreases constant
D increases increases decreases
(1 mark)
10 The graph shows the variation with potential difference (p. d.) of the current in a lamp
filament.
Which statement explains the shape of this graph?
A. as the filament temperature rises, electrons can pass more easily through the
filament
B. it takes time for the filament to reach its working temperature
C. the power output of the filament is proportional to the square of the current in it
D. the resistance of the filament increases with a rise in temperature

(1 mark)
11 The unit of resistivity, expressed in terms of base units, is given by
kg x3 y−2 z−3
Which base units are x, y and z ?
x y z
A ampere metre second
B metre ampere second
C metre second ampere
D second ampere metre
(1 mark)
12 A cylindrical wire of length 10 m and diameter 2.0 mm has a resistance of 0.050 Ω.
From which material is the wire made?
Material Resistivity / Ω m
A bronze 1.6 × 10–7
B nichrome 1.6 ×10–6
C silver 1.6 × 10–8
D zinc 6.3 × 10–8
(1 mark)
13 The resistance of one device R1 is designed to change with temperature; the resistance of
another device R2 is designed to change with illumination.
What are the names of these devices ?
R1 R2
A thermistor light-dependent resistor
B thermistor potential divider
C semiconductor diode light-dependent resistor
D semiconductor diode potential divider
(1 mark)
14 A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is connected in series with a resistor R and a battery.
The resistance of the LDR is equal to the resistance of R when no light falls on the LDR.
When the light intensity falling on the LDR increases, which statement is correct?
A. the current in R decreases
B. the current through the LDR decreases
C. the p. d. across R decreases
D. the p .d. across the LDR decreases

(1 mark)
15 A copper wire is stretched so that its diameter is reduced from 1.0 mm to a uniform 0.5
mm. The resistance of the unstretched copper wire is 0.2 Ω.
What is the resistance of the stretched wire?
A. 0.4 Ω
B. 0.8 Ω
C. 1.6 Ω
D. 3.2 Ω
(1 mark)
16 Which graph best represents the way in which the current I through a thermistor
depends upon the potential difference V across it ?
(1 mark)
17 A power cable has length 2000 m. The cable is made of twelve parallel strands of copper
wire, each with diameter 0.51 mm.
What is the resistance of the cable ? (resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–8 Ω m)
A. 0.014 Ω
B. 3.5 Ω
C. 14 Ω
D. 166 Ω
(1 mark)
18 A circuit is set up with an LDR and a fixed resistor as shown.
The voltmeter reads 4 V.
The light intensity is increased.
What is a possible voltmeter reading?
A. 3V
B. 4V
C. 6V
D. 8V
(1 mark)
19 A cylindrical wire 4.0 m long has a resistance of 31 Ω and is made of metal of resistivity
1.0 × 10–6 Ω m.
What is the radius of cross-section of the wire?
A. 1.0 × 10–8 m
B. 2.0 × 10–8 m
C. 6.4 × 10–8 m
D. 2.0 × 10–4 m
(1 mark)
20 When a thin metal wire is stretched, it becomes longer and thinner. This causes a change
in the resistance of the wire. The volume of the wire remains constant.
Which graph could represent the variation with extension x of the resistance R of the
wire ?
(1 mark)
Medium Questions
1 The graph shows how current I varies with voltage V for a filament lamp.
Since the graph is not a straight line, the resistance of the lamp varies with V.
Which row gives the correct resistance at the stated value of V?
V/V R/Ω
A 2.0 1.5
B 4.0 3.2
C 6.0 1.9
D 8.0 0.9
(1 mark)
2 A charge of 8.0 C passes through a resistor of resistance 30 Ω at a constant rate in a time

of 20 s.
What is the potential difference across the resistor?
A. 0.40 V
B. 5.3 V
C. 12 V
D. 75 V
(1 mark)
3 The I -V characteristics of two electrical components P and Q are shown below.
Which statement is correct ?
A. P is a resistor and Q is a filament lamp
B. the resistance of Q increases as the current in it increases
C. for a current of 1.9 A, the resistance of Q is approximately half that of P
D. for a current of 0.5 A, the power dissipated in Q is double that in P

(1 mark)
4 The resistance R of a resistor is to be determined. The current I in the resistor and the
potential difference V across it are measured.
The results, with their uncertainties, are
I = (2.0 ± 0.2) A V = (15.0 ± 0.5) V
What is the uncertainty in this value for R ?
A. ± 0.3 Ω
B. ± 0.5 Ω
C. ± 0.7 Ω
D. ± 1 Ω
(1 mark)
5 The variation with potential difference V of the current I in a semiconductor diode is

shown below.
What is the resistance of the diode for applied potential differences of +1.0 V and –1.0 V ?
Resistance
at +1.0 V at –1.0 V
A 20 Ω infinite
B 20 Ω zero
C 0.05 Ω infinite
D 0.05 Ω zero
(1 mark)
6 A battery of negligible internal resistance is connected to two 10 Ω resistors in series.
What charge flows through each of the 10 Ω resistors in 1 minute?
A. 0.30 C
B. 0.60 C
C. 3.0 C
D. 18 C
(1 mark)
7 Two heating coils X and Y, of resistance RX and RY respectively, deliver the same power
when 12 V is applied across X and 6 V is applied across Y.
RX
What is the ratio ?
RY
1
A.
4
1
B.
2
C. 2
D. 4
(1 mark)
8 A student found two unmarked resistors. To determine the resistance of the resistors,
the circuit below was set up. The resistors were connected in turn between P and Q,
noting the current readings.
The voltage readings were noted without the resistors and with each resistor in turn.
The results were entered into a spreadsheet, as shown.
1.5 1.3 28 46
1.5 1.4 14 100
The student forgot to enter the column headings.
Which order of the headings would be correct?
e.m.f / V V/V R/Ω I / mA

A
V/V e.m.f / V R/Ω I / mA

B
V/V e.m.f / V I / mA R/Ω

C
e.m.f / V V/V I / mA R/Ω

D
(1 mark)
9 A 2 Ω resistor and a 4 Ω resistor are connected to a cell.
Which graph shows how the potential V varies with distance between X and Y ?
(1 mark)
10 The diagram shows a length of track from a model railway connected to a battery, a
resistor and a relay coil.
With no train present, there is a current in the relay coil which operates a switch to turn
on a light.
When a train occupies the section of track, most of the current flows through the wheels
and axles of the train in preference to the relay coil. The switch in the relay turns off the
light.
Why is a resistor placed between the battery and the track?
A. to limit the heating of the wheels of the train
B. to limit the energy lost in the relay coil when a train is present
C. to prevent a short circuit of the battery when a train is present
D. to protect the relay when a train is present

(1 mark)
11 Two wires P and Q made of the same material are connected to the same electrical
supply.
P has twice the length of Q and one-third of the diameter of Q, as shown in the diagram.
current in P
What is the ratio ?
current in Q
2
A.
3
2
B.
9
1
C.
6
1
D.
18
(1 mark)
12 In the circuit below, the reading VT on the voltmeter changes from high to low as the
temperature of the thermistor changes. The reading VL on the voltmeter changes from
high to low as the level of light on the light-dependent resistor (LDR) changes.
The readings VT and VL are both high.
What are the conditions of temperature and light level ?
Temperature Light level
A low low
B low high
C high low
D high high
(1 mark)
13 In a fire alarm system, a thermistor T has a resistance of 2000 Ω at room temperature. Its
resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The alarm is triggered when the
potential difference between X and Y reaches 4.5 V.
What is the resistance of the thermistor when the alarm is triggered ?
A. 90 Ω
B. 150 Ω
C. 250 Ω
D. 1300 Ω
(1 mark)
14 Two electrically-conducting cylinders X and Y are made from the same material.
Their dimensions are as shown.
The resistance between the ends of each cylinder is measured.
resis tance of X
What is the ratio ?
resis tance of Y
2
A.
1
1
B.
1
1
C.
2
1
D.
4
(1 mark)
15 The graph shows the variation with length l of resistance R for two wires X and Y made
from the same material.
What does the graph show?
A. cross-sectional area of X = 2 × cross - sectional area of Y
B. resistivity of X = 2 × resistivity of Y
C. when equal lengths of X and Y are connected in series to a battery, power in X = 2 ×

power in Y
D. when equal lengths of X and Y are connected in parallel to a battery, current in X = 2

× current in Y
(1 mark)
16 A light-dependent resistor R has a resistance of about 1 MΩ in the dark and about 1 kΩ

when illuminated. It is connected in series with a 5 kΩ resistor to a 1.5 V cell of negligible
internal resistance.
The light-dependent resistor is illuminated (in an otherwise dark room) by a flashing
light.
Which graph best shows the variation with time t of potential difference V across R ?
(1 mark)
17 Tensile strain may be measured by the change in electrical resistance of a strain gauge.
A strain gauge consists of folded fine metal wire mounted on a flexible insulating
backing sheet.
The strain gauge is firmly attached to the specimen, so that the strain in the metal wire
is always identical to that in the specimen.
When the strain in the specimen is increased, what happens to the resistance of the
wire?
A. it decreases, because the length decreases and the cross-sectional area increases
B. it decreases, because the length increases and the cross-sectional area decreases
C. it increases, because the length decreases and the cross-sectional area increases
D. it increases, because the length increases and the cross-sectional area decreases
(1 mark)
18 The resistance of a thermistor depends on its temperature, and the resistance of a light-
dependent resistor (LDR) depends on the illumination.
Under which conditions will the resistance of both a thermistor and an LDR be highest ?
Thermistor LDR
A highest temperature highest illumination
B highest temperature lowest illumination
C lowest temperature highest illumination
D lowest temperature lowest illumination
(1 mark)
19 A researcher has two pieces of copper of the same volume. All of the first piece is made
into a cylindrical resistor P of length x.
All of the second piece is made into uniform wires each of the same length x which he
connects between two bars of negligible resistance to form a resistor Q.
How do the electrical resistances of P and Q compare ?
A. P has a larger resistance than Q
B. Q has a larger resistance than P
C. P and Q have equal resistance
D. Q may have a larger or smaller resistance than P, depending on the number of wires
made
(1 mark)
20 Two wires have the same length and the same resistance. Wire X is made of a metal of
resistivity 1.7 × 10–8 Ωm, and wire Y is made of a metal of resistivity 5.6 × 10–8 Ωm.
The diameter of wire X is 0.315 mm.
What is the diameter of wire Y?
A. 0.17 mm
B. 0.33 mm
C. 0.57 mm
D. 1.0 mm
(1 mark)
Hard Questions
1 The diagram shows an electric pump for a garden fountain connected by an 18 m cable
to a 230 V mains electrical supply.
The performance of the pump is acceptable if the potential difference (p.d.) across it is at
least 218 V. The current through it is then 0.83 A.
What is the maximum resistance per meter of each of the two wires in the cable if the
pump is to perform acceptably?
A. 0.40 Ω m–1
B. 0.80 Ω m–1
C. 1.3 Ω m–1
D. 1.4 Ω m–1
(1 mark)
2 The graph below shows the variation of the current I through a lamp with potential
difference V across it.
Which of the following graphs best represents the variation of power P dissipated in the
same lamp with I 2 ?
(1 mark)
3 Circuit contains three identical lamps A, B and C. Circuit also contains three switches, S1,
S2 and S3, as shown.
One of the lamps is faulty. In order to detect the fault, an ohm-meter is connected
between terminals X and Y.
When measuring resistance, the ohm-meter causes negligible current in the circuit.
Readings of the ohm-meter for different switch positions are shown in the table.
Switch
Meter reading / Ω
S1 S2 S3
open open open ∞

closed open open 15
open closed open 30
open closed closed 15
Which lamps are faulty?
A. A & B
B. B only
C. B & C
D. C only
(1 mark)
4 The current flowing through a component varies with the potential difference V across it
as shown.
Which graph best represents how the resistance R varies with V ?
(1 mark)
5 The circular cross-sectional area of a uniform metal wire varies along its length. There is
a current in the wire. The narrow end of the wire is at a reference potential of zero.
Which graph best represents the variation with distance x along the wire of the potential
difference V relative to the reference zero?
(1 mark)
6 The graph shows the I -V characteristics of a semiconductor diode
A cell of e. m .f. 1.2 V and negligible internal resistance is connected in series to a
semiconductor diode and a resistor R1, as shown below
A resistor R2 of resistance 375 Ω is connected across the cell. The diode has the
characteristic shown in the graph. The current supplied by the cell is 7.6 mA.
What is the resistance of R1?
A. 82 Ω
B. 114 Ω
C. 160 Ω
D. 260 Ω
(1 mark)
7 The graph shows how the current I varies with potential difference V for an electrical
component.
Which row of the table gives the resistance of the component at V2 and describes how
the resistance changes from V1 to V2 ?
Resistance at V2 Change in resistance from V1 to V2
V2 − V1
A increases
I2 − I1
V2 − V1
B decreases
I2 − I1
V2
increases
C I2
V2
decreases
D I2
(1 mark)
8 The graph shows the relationship between potential difference V and current I for a fixed
20 Ω resistor and a filament lamp.
The resistor and lamp are placed in series with a 9 V battery of negligible internal
resistance. What is the current in the circuit ?
A. 0.1 A
B. 0.2 A
C. 0.3 A
D. 0.4 A
(1 mark)
9 The graphs show the I -V characteristics for a metal conductor and a thermistor
resis tance of thermistor at point A

What is the ratio ?
resis tance of metal conductor
2
A.
5
1
B.
2
2
C.
1
5
D.
2
(1 mark)
10 One style of light bulb, very different from the "incandescent" design which works on the
principle of a super-heated wire filament emitting light, is called a gas discharge tube.
In this design of light bulb, light is produced by the direct excitation of gas molecules as
electric current passes between two electrodes.
What will the I - V graphs of these bulbs look like?
(1 mark)
11 A thermistor and another component are connected to a constant voltage supply. A
voltmeter is connected across one of the components. The temperature of the
thermistor is then reduced, but no other changes are made.
In which circuit will the voltmeter reading increase ?
(1 mark)
12 A copper wire is to be replaced by an aluminum alloy wire of the same length and
resistance.
Copper has half the resistivity of the alloy.
diameter of alloy wire

What is the ratio ?
diameter of copper wire
A. 2
B. 2
C. 2
2
D. 4
(1 mark)
13 The current in a block of semiconductor is 30.0 mA when there is a potential difference

(p.d.) of 10.0 V across it. The dimensions of the block and the direction of the current in it
are as shown.
The electrical meters used are accurate to ± 0.1 mA and ± 0.1 V. The dimensions of the
block are accurate to ± 0.2 mm.
What is the resistivity of the semiconductor?
A. 10.0 ± 0.2 Ω m
B. 10.0 ± 0.3 Ω m
C. 10.0 ± 0.5 Ω m
D. 10.0 ± 0.8 Ω m
(1 mark)
14 The resistance of a metal cube is measured by placing it between two parallel plates, as
shown.
The cube has volume V and is made of a material with resistivity ρ. The connections to
the cube have negligible resistance.
Which expression gives the electrical resistance of the metal cube between X and Y?
A.
B.
C.
D.
(1 mark)
15 A wire PQ is made of three different materials, with resistivities ρ, 2ρ and 3ρ. There is a
current I in this composite wire, as shown.
Which graph best shows how the potential V along the wire varies with distance x from P
?
(1 mark)
16 A strain gauge consists of a length of wire with a uniform cross-sectional area. Its
resistance is 2.50 kΩ. It is attached to a large pipe.
When the pipe expands, the strain gauge changes in dimensions, such that the length
increases by 4% and the diameter reduced by 1%.
What is the new resistance of the strain gauge?
A. 2.60 kΩ
B. 2.65 kΩ
C. 2.80 kΩ
D. 3.00 kΩ
(1 mark)
17 The variation with temperature of the resistance RT of a thermistor is shown on the

graph.
The thermistor is connected into the circuit shown below.
The battery has an e. m .f. of 9.0 V and negligible internal resistance. The voltmeter has
infinite resistance.
What is the temperature of the thermistor when the reading on the voltmeter is 4.0 V?
A. 2.5 °C
B. 13.0 °C
C. 16.0 °C
D. 24.0 °C
(1 mark)
18 A conducting liquid fills a cylinder metal case to a depth y as shown in the diagram.
The resistance between the case and the metal rod is
A. proportional to y
B. proportional to y2
C. inversely proportional to y
D. inversely proportional to y2
(1 mark)
19 The following strain gauge consists of a fine metal wire, so that an applied tension on the
strain gauge results in changes in the length and cross-sectional area of the wire.
When the length of the wire is stretched by 5%, what is the percentage change in the
resistance of the wire? Assume that the volume of a wire remains constant when it is
stretched.
A. + 5%
B. – 5%
C. + 10%
D. – 10%
(1 mark)
20 Aluminum and copper rods are designed to have the same length and the same
resistance.
The resistivity of copper is half that of aluminum, but its density is three times that of
aluminum.
Determine the ratio of the mass of the aluminum rod to the mass of the copper rod.
1
A.
6
2
B.
3
C.
D.
(1 mark)

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A Level CIE Physics 1 hour 60 questions

Multiple Choice Questions

9.3 Resistance &

Easy (20 questions) /20 Scan here for your answers

Hard (20 questions) /20

Total Marks /60

A. energy = (current)2 × resistance × time

B. potential difference = current × resistance

C. power = (current)2 × resistance

D. resistivity = resistance × area ÷ length

2 What is the unit of resistance when expressed in SI base units?

3 Which graph shows the I–V characteristic of a filament lamp ?

4 The resistance R of a resistor is determined by measuring the potential difference V

The values measured are V = 1.00 ± 0.05 V and I = 0.50 ± 0.01 A.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the value of R ?

Which row of the table correctly identifies these graphs?

7 What is a correct statement of Ohm's Law?

C. the potential difference across a component is proportional to its resistance.

D. the potential difference across a component is proportional to the current in it

Filament lamp Semiconductor diode

A constant decreases increases

B constant increases increases

C increases decreases constant

D increases increases decreases

Which statement explains the shape of this graph?

D. the resistance of the filament increases with a rise in temperature

11 The unit of resistivity, expressed in terms of base units, is given by

Which base units are x, y and z ?

A ampere metre second

B metre ampere second

C metre second ampere

D second ampere metre

12 A cylindrical wire of length 10 m and diameter 2.0 mm has a resistance of 0.050 Ω.

From which material is the wire made?

A bronze 1.6 × 10–7

B nichrome 1.6 ×10–6

C silver 1.6 × 10–8

D zinc 6.3 × 10–8

What are the names of these devices ?

A thermistor light-dependent resistor

B thermistor potential divider

C semiconductor diode light-dependent resistor

D semiconductor diode potential divider

14 A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is connected in series with a resistor R and a battery.

A. the current in R decreases

B. the current through the LDR decreases

C. the p. d. across R decreases

D. the p .d. across the LDR decreases

What is the resistance of the stretched wire?

What is the resistance of the cable ? (resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–8 Ω m)

18 A circuit is set up with an LDR and a fixed resistor as shown.

The voltmeter reads 4 V.

The light intensity is increased.

What is a possible voltmeter reading?

What is the radius of cross-section of the wire?

Which row gives the correct resistance at the stated value of V?

2 A charge of 8.0 C passes through a resistor of resistance 30 Ω at a constant rate in a time

What is the potential difference across the resistor?

3 The I -V characteristics of two electrical components P and Q are shown below.