vYear 12 A Level Physics

Electricity Assessment
November 2023
Name:______________________________

Mark /45
Section
Q1-7
Multiple Choice

/7

Q8 Drift velocity
and resistivity

/8
Q9 Potential
divider

/6
Q10 Circuit
problem

/10
Q11 Resistors in
series and parallel

/8
Q12 Explain
current-voltage
graph

/6
Q1.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change your mind
about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .

The graph shows how current I varies with potential difference V for an electrical component.

Which component is represented by the graph?

A diode
B filament lamp
C resistor at constant temperature
D thermistor

Q2.

Which of the following graphs shows how current I varies with potential difference V for
a negative temperature coefficient thermistor?
Q3.

A negative temperature coefficient thermistor and a fixed resistor are connected in a circuit, as shown.

The temperature of the thermistor increases.

Which row of the table shows the changes to the ammeter and voltmeter readings as the temperature
increases?

Q4.

Which row in the table shows the total resistance if two 5 Ω resistors are connected in series and in
parallel?
Q5.

A lamp is connected in the circuit as shown. The cell has negligible internal resistance.

In 30 seconds, the charge passing point P is 0.4 C.

Which of the following gives the energy, in joules, transferred by the cell during this time?

Q6.

Which of the following units is equivalent to the volt?

A C s–1
B J s–1
C J C–1
D Js

Q7.

Two copper wires are placed in series in a complete circuit. The electrons in the two wires have different
values of drift velocity.

Which of the following must be different for the two wires?

A charge carrier density

B cross-sectional area

C current

D length
Q8.

The photograph shows a thin, coiled, tungsten wire used in a filament light bulb.

(a) Complete the sketch graph to show how current varies with potential difference for a filament bulb.
(2)
b) The tungsten wire has a diameter of 0.046 mm and a length of 580 mm. When emitting light, there is a
current of 0.44 A in the filament and a potential difference of 140 V across the filament.
(i) Calculate the drift velocity v of the electrons in the tungsten wire.
number of charge carriers per m3 in tungsten = 1.26 × 1029
(3)
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v = .........................................................
(ii) When the potential difference across the tungsten filament is 140 V the current in the filament is
0.44 A.
The table shows typical resistivity values for tungsten at different temperatures.

Deduce the temperature of the filament.

(3)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q9.

A student is given the circuit diagram shown.

(a) Calculate a value for the voltmeter reading.

(2)
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Voltmeter reading = ...........................................................

(b) The student sets up the circuit and observes that the reading on the voltmeter is lower than the value
calculated in (a).
Explain two reasons for the lower voltmeter reading.
(4)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q10.

A student set up the circuit shown.

(a) Calculate the number of electrons passing point X each second.

(6)
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Number of electrons in one second = ...........................................................

(b) Another resistor, Y, is added to the circuit as shown.

The student wrote the following statement.

Evaluate the student's statement.

(4)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q11.

(a) Two resistors of resistance R1 and R2 are connected in parallel in a circuit.

Derive a formula for the total resistance RT of the combination.
(3)
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(b) The diagram shows a combination of five resistors, M, N, O, P and Q. Each resistor has a resistance
of 5.0 Ω.

(i) Show that the resistance between points A and B is about 3 Ω.

(3)
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(ii) A student is told to modify the combination of resistors so that the combined resistance between A
and B is greater than 5.0 Ω. She cannot change the arrangement of the resistors, but she can replace
one of the 5.0 Ω resistors with a 20.0 Ω resistor.
Explain, without further calculations, which of the five resistors should be replaced.
(2)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q12.

* The graphs show how current I varies with potential difference V for a filament bulb and for a negative
temperature coefficient thermistor.

Explain the shape of each graph. Your answer should include reference to the movement of conduction
electrons in each component.
(6)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Mark Scheme
Q1.

Q2.

Q3.

Q4.
Q5.

Q6.

Q7.
Q8.
Q9.
Q10.
Q11.
Q12.