Series & Parallel Circuits (OCR A Level Physics)

Exam Questions

20 mins10 questions
11 mark

A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f) 6.0 V and of negligible internal resistance is used in the circuit below.

q10-paper-2-nov-2021-ocr-a-level-physics

The current from the battery is 30 mA. The current in the resistor X is 10 mA.
The resistors Y and Z are identical.

What is the power dissipated in the resistor Z?

  • 30 mW

  • 60 mW

  • 120 mW

  • 180 mW

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21 mark

The current in a lamp is 2.0 mA. The potential difference across the lamp is 6.0 V.

What is the energy transfer in the lamp over a period of 3.0 hours?

  • 0.012 J

  • 0.036 J

  • 2.16 J

  • 130 J

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31 mark

A circuit with a thermistor is shown below.

q7-paper-2-nov-2021-ocr-a-level-physics

The resistance of the resistor is R and the resistance of the thermistor is 2.5R.
The potential difference (p.d.) across the thermistor is 5.0 V.

What is the total p.d. across both components?

  • 2.0 V

  • 7.0 V

  • 12.5 V

  • 17.5 V

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4
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1 mark

Three resistors are connected in a circuit.

q2-paper-2-june-2018-ocr-a-level-physics

The resistance of each resistor is shown in the circuit diagram.

What is the total resistance of this circuit?

  • 10.0 Ω

  • 20.2 Ω

  • 25.0 Ω

  • 40.0 Ω

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51 mark

Three identical resistors X, Y and Z are connected to a power supply.

q5-paper-2-june-2018-ocr-a-level-physics

The power dissipated in the resistor Z is 24 W.

What is the power dissipated in the resistor Y?

  • 6.0 W

  • 12 W

  • 24 W

  • 48 W

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1
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1 mark

Two identical resistors of resistance R are connected in parallel. The resistors are connected in series with a third identical resistor and three cells of e.m.f Ɛ, 2Ɛ and 3Ɛ respectively. Each cell has an internal resistance of r.

What is the correct expression for the current passing through the circuit?

  • fraction numerator 4 Ɛ over denominator R space plus space 2 r end fraction

  • fraction numerator Ɛ over denominator R space plus space r end fraction

  • fraction numerator 2 Ɛ over denominator R space end fraction

  • fraction numerator 12 Ɛ over denominator R space plus space 3 r space end fraction

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2
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1 mark

For what number of identical resistors does the ratio of total resistance in series to total resistance in parallel equal 36?

  • 1

  • 6

  • 18

  • 36

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3
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1 mark

A student has a 14.8 V power supply and 3 resistors of resistance 4 , 5 and 6 respectively.

Which of the following configurations will allow the student to draw a current of 2 A from the power source?

4-3-mcq-h-q3-ocr-al-physics

 

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    4
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    1 mark

    A student has three identical resistors of resistance R and a cell.

    Which of the following circuit configurations should the student choose in order to draw the smallest possible current from the cell?

    4-3-mcq-h-q5-ocr-al-physics

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