A LevelPhysicsAQAExam Questions5. Electricity5.3 Circuits & The Potential Divider

Circuits & The Potential Divider (AQA A Level Physics)

Exam Questions

3 hours44 questions

Select a question set to download for
5.3 Circuits & The Potential Divider

Select an answer set to view for
5.3 Circuits & The Potential Divider

Easy
Medium
Hard
11 mark

The diagram shows a circuit with a 2 kΩ resistor and a lamp connected in parallel, and a voltmeter connected across the lamp.

q1_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

If the reading on the voltmeter is 3 V, how much power is dissipated in the resistor?

  • 1.5 W

  • 0.66 W

  • 4.5 × 10–3 W

  • 4.5 W

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

21 mark

The diagram shows two identical 2 Ω resistors arranged in parallel.

q2_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

What is the reading on the ammeter?

  • 6 A

  • 1.5 A

  • 1 A

  • 12 A

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

31 mark

The circuit symbol for a battery is a set of cells in series:

q3_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

If the dashed lines represent an additional 8 cells, and each cell provides an emf of 0.5 V, what is the total emf provided by the battery?

  • 1 V

  • 4 V

  • 5 V

  • 6 V

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

41 mark

A 60 W house lamp is accidentally left on overnight.

How much energy is transferred by the lamp if it has been running for 8 hours?

  • 1.7 J

  • 240 J

  • 1.7 kJ

  • 1.7 MJ

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

51 mark

Current flows through a resistor network made of three resistors, begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 1 end style, begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 2 end style and begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 3 end style as shown.

q5_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

What is the current in the resistor begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 3 end style?

  • 0.3 A

  • 0.5 A

  • 0.7 A

  • 1.0 A

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

61 mark

Kirchhoff’s first law is summarised by the statement:

The sum of currents entering a junction is always equal to the sum of currents leaving the junction

Kirchhoff’s first law is a consequence the conservation of which quantity?

  • Energy

  • Charge

  • Momentum

  • Baryon number

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

71 mark

A circuit consisting of two resistors divides the potential of the battery as shown:

q7_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

What is the reading on the voltmeter?

  • 0 V

  • 0.33 V

  • 0.66 V

  • 1 V

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

81 mark

A circuit consisting of five identical resistors is shown:

q8_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

Which of the following statements is false?

  • The potential difference between P and Q is equal to the potential difference between X and Y

  • The total resistance between X and Y is equal to the sum of the resistances between X and Y

  • The total resistance between P and Q is equal to the sum of the resistances along P and Q

  • There is less total resistance between P and Q than there is between X and Y

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

91 mark

Which of the following statements about resistance is true?

  • 1 Ω is equivalent to 1 A V–1   

  • The total resistance begin mathsize 16px style R subscript T end style for two resistors in parallel begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 1 end style and begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 2 end style  is given by begin mathsize 16px style R subscript T end style = begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 1 end style + begin mathsize 16px style R subscript 2 end style

  • The combined resistance of two identical resistors in series is less than the combined resistance of two identical resistors in parallel 

  • Resistors connected in series share the total potential difference available 

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

101 mark

Two resistors are connected in parallel as shown:

q10_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

What is the power generated in the 5 kΩ resistor?

  • 10 kW   

  • 20 kW

  • 30 kW

  • 50 kW 

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

11 mark

A cell of e.m.f. 2.0 V and negligible internal resistance is connected to a network of resistors as shown.
5-3-q11-sketch

What is the current I?

  • 0.25 A

  • 0.33 A

  • 0.50 A

  • 1.5 A

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

21 mark

Two lamps are connected in series to a 250 V power supply. One lamp is rated 240 V, 60 W and the other is rated 10 V, 2.5 W.

Which statement most accurately describes what happens when the circuit is connected?

  • Both lamps light at less than their normal brightness

  • Both lamps light normally

  • Only the 60 W lamp lights

  • The 10 V lamp blows

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

31 mark

The diagram shows part of a current-carrying circuit. The ammeter has negligible resistance.

q13_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

What is the reading on the ammeter?

  • 0.7 A

  • 1.3 A

  • 1.5 A

  • 1.7 A

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

41 mark

In the circuit shown, all the resistors are identical.

q14_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

The reading on voltmeter V1 is 8.0 V and the reading on voltmeter V2 is 1.0 V. What are the readings on the other voltmeters?

 

reading on voltmeter V3 / V

reading on voltmeter V4 / V
A 1.5

1.0
B 3.0 2.0
C 4.5 3.0
D 6.0 4.0

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    51 mark

    A power cable X has resistance R and carries current I.

    A second cable Y has resistance 2R and carries current I over 2

    What is the ratio   fraction numerator p o w e r space d i s s i p a t e d space i n space Y over denominator p o w e r space d i s s i p a t e d space i n space X end fraction?

    • 1 fourth

    • 1 half

    • 2

    • 4

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    61 mark

    A cell, two resistors of equal resistance and an ammeter are used to construct four circuits. The resistors are the only parts of the circuits that have resistance.

    In which circuit will the ammeter show the greatest reading?

    q16_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

      Choose your answer

      Did this page help you?

      71 mark

      The diagram shows a circuit with four voltmeter readings V, V1, V2 and V3.

      q17_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

      Which equation relating the voltmeter readings must be true?

      • V = V1 + V2 + V3

      • V  +V1 = V2 + V3

      • V3 = 2(V2)

      • V – V1 = V3

      Choose your answer

      Did this page help you?

      81 mark

      When four identical resistors are connected as shown in diagram 1, the ammeter reads 1.0 A, and the voltmeter reads zero.

      q18_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

      The resistors and meters are reconnected to the supply, as shown in diagram 2.

      What are the meter readings in diagram 2?

       

      voltmeter reading / V

      ammeter reading / A
      A 0 1.0
      B 3.0

      0.5
      C 3.0 1.0
      D 6.0 0

        Choose your answer

        Did this page help you?

        91 mark

        The diagram shows currents I 1, I 2, I 3, I 4 and I 5 in different branches of a circuit.

        fhBAxWIn_q19_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        Which one of the following is correct?

        • I 1 = I 2 + I 3

        • I 2 = I 1 + I 3

        • I 3 = I 4 + I 5

        • I 4 = I 5 + I 3

        Choose your answer

        Did this page help you?

        101 mark

        In the circuit shown, all the resistors are identical and all the ammeters have negligible

        resistance.

        q20_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        The reading on ammeter A1 is 0.6 A.

        What are the readings on the other ammeters?

         

        reading on ammeter A2 / A

        reading on ammeter A3 / A

        reading on ammeter A4 / A
        A 1.0 0.3 0.1
        B 1.4 0.6 0.2
        C 1.8 0.9 0.3
        D 2.2 1.2 0.4

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          11 mark

          A 12 V battery is in series with an ammeter, a 2 Ω fixed resistor and a 0 – 10 Ω variable resistor. High-resistance voltmeters P and Q are connected across the variable resistor and the fixed resistor, respectively, as shown.

          q21_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

          The resistance of the variable resistor is changed from its maximum value to zero.

          Which graph shows the variation with current of the voltmeter readings?

          q21_2_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            21 mark

            The diagram shows a potential divider circuit which, by adjustment of the contact X, can be used to provide a variable potential difference between the terminals P and Q.

            q22_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            What range of potential difference is provided between P and Q?

            • 5 V

            • 10 V

            • 20 V

            • 25 V

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            31 mark

            A potential divider consists of resistors of resistance R1 and R2 connected in series across a source of potential difference V0. The potential difference across R1 is Vout.

            q23_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            Which changes to R1 and R2 will increase the value of Vout?

             

            R1

            R2
            A

            doubled

            doubled
            B

            doubled

            		 halved
            C

            halved

            doubled
            D

            halved

            		 halved

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              41 mark

              A network of resistors is set up as shown:

              q24_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

              Between which two points does the minimum of resistance of the combination occur?   

              • P and Q

              • R and S

              • Q and S

              • S and P

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              51 mark

              Three identical resistors P, Q and R are connected in a circuit as shown:

              q25_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

              The battery, of negligible internal resistance, supplies a total power of 15 W.

              What is the power dissipated in resistor R?

              • 2.5 W

              • 5.0 W

              • 7.5 W

              • 8.0 W

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              61 mark

              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.

              q26-1_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

              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?

              q26_2_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                71 mark

                A circuit is connected as shown in the diagram below:

                q27_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

                What reading would a voltmeter measure if it was connected between P and Q?

                • 0.50 V

                • 0.75 V

                • 1.0 V

                • 1.5 V

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                81 mark

                Three resistors are arranged in a circuit such that two measurements of input and output voltage are recorded, by swapping the arrangement of the cell and the voltmeter (which is assumed ideal), as shown:

                q28_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

                The current supplied by the cell in arrangement 1 is 0.50 A.

                Which row, A to D, gives the correct values of the resistances begin mathsize 16px style bold italic R subscript bold 1 end style, begin mathsize 16px style bold italic R subscript bold 2 end style and bold italic R subscript bold 3?

                 

                R1

                R2

                R3
                A

                10 Ω

                10 Ω

                15 Ω
                B

                6 Ω

                15 Ω

                10 Ω
                C

                6 Ω

                		 10 Ω

                15 Ω
                D 15 Ω 6 Ω 10 Ω 

                  Choose your answer

                  Did this page help you?

                  91 mark

                  Three identical, non-ideal voltmeters are connected as shown.

                  q29_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

                  Each voltmeter has a finite resistance R which allows a small current to flow through them when connected to a source of emf, begin mathsize 16px style V subscript i n end subscript end style. 

                   The I–V­ ­characteristic of the device D is unknown.

                   If begin mathsize 16px style bold italic V subscript bold 2 end style = 2 V and begin mathsize 16px style bold italic V subscript bold 3 end style = 3 V, what is the reading on begin mathsize 16px style bold italic V subscript bold 1 end style?

                  • 1 V

                  • 2 V

                  • 4.5 V

                  • 5 V

                  Choose your answer

                  Did this page help you?

                  101 mark

                  A student wishes to design a circuit which is sensitive to temperature changes in a room. They intend to connect a thermistor to a fixed resistor and a voltmeter, all across an input of 5 V, as shown: 

                  q30_circuits-_-the-potential-divider_aqa-as-physics-mcq

                  Data about the resistance-temperature characteristics of the thermistor is shown below:

                  Temperature / ºC

                  Resistance Ω

                  5.0

                  420

                  10

                  290

                  15

                  200

                  20

                  150

                  25

                  120

                  Which resistor, A to D, results in a circuit that is most sensitive to changes in room temperature?

                  • 50 kΩ 

                  • 5 kΩ 

                  • 500 Ω 

                  • 50 Ω

                  Choose your answer

                  Did this page help you?