Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Practical Circuits (CIE AS Physics)

Exam Questions

1 hour21 questions
1a
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2 marks

Explain why the electromotive force (e.m.f) of a cell with internal resistance may be more than the terminal potential difference (p.d.) of the cell.

1b
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3 marks

Compare the definitions of e. m .f and p. d.

1c
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1 mark

For a cell, explain the term internal resistance.

1d
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3 marks

A battery of e.m.f 1508 V and internal resistance r is connected to a resistor A, as shown in Fig 1.1.

 
10-1-2d-e-e-m-f-circuit
Fig 1.1

The current in resistor A is 400 mA and the power dissipated by it is 600 W. 

Calculate of the battery.

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2a
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3 marks

The electromotive force, is defined by the equation 

E I (R + r

State the definition of the following variables and an appropriate unit for each. 

(i)
I
[1]
(ii)
R
[1]
(iii)
r
[1]
2b
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5 marks

A circuit connecting a cell with internal resistance to a resistor is shown in Fig. 1.1. 

 

5-4-s-q--q1b-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

Fig. 1.1

Place in each of the grey boxes one of the following variables: 

V

r

E

I

R

2c
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3 marks

A current of 0.6 mA flows through the circuit in Fig. 1.1 and the resistor has a resistance of 2.5 kΩ. 

Calculate the terminal potential difference of the circuit.

2d
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3 marks

The internal resistance of the cell is 1.3 kΩ. 

Calculate the emf of the cell using the equation E.m.f. = I (R + r).

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1a
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3 marks

Explain why the terminal potential difference (p.d) of a cell with internal resistance may differ from the electromotive force (e.m.f) of the cell.

 
1b
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5 marks

A battery of e.m.f 6.2 V and internal resistance 7.0 Ω is connected in series with a resistor of resistance 11 Ω as shown in Fig 1.1.

10-1-2b-m-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-circuit

The current I flows through the circuit

 

Determine

 
(i)
the current I in the circuit,
[3]
(ii)
the terminal p.d. of the battery.
[2]
1c
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2 marks

A second identical resistor is added in series with the resistor in Fig 1.1. 

Quantitatively explain the change in the current in the circuit.

1d
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3 marks

The second 11 Ω resistor is now connected in parallel to the initial 11 Ω resistor in Fig 1.1. 

Qualitatively explain the effect this has on the battery. 

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2a
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3 marks

Two circuits X and Y shown in Fig 1.1 were used by a student to test a battery of four identical cells. In circuit X the battery is connected to a voltmeter registering 12 V and there was no load resistor. In circuit Y a load resistor of 5.2 Ω is connected in parallel with an ammeter registering 0.41 A and a voltmeter registering 4.9 V. Assume that the meters in the circuits are ideal.

10-1-m-q2a-sq-cie-ial-physics

Fig. 1.1

Explain why there is a difference in voltages recorded in the two circuits.

2b
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3 marks

Calculate the internal resistance of a single cell from Fig. 1.1.

2c
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3 marks

One of the cells in the battery is reversed.     

Determine the new reading on the ammeter in circuit Y.

2d
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4 marks

In circuit Y, the resistance of the load resistor R  is altered so that a series of values on the voltmeter and the corresponding values of the current on the ammeter are obtained. 

5-4-s-q--q1d-medium-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

Fig. 1.2

Using the axes in Fig.1.2, sketch the graph you would expect to obtain as is changed. State how the values of ε  and r  can be obtained from the graph.

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3a
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4 marks

A battery of e.m.f. 60.0 V and internal resistance, r, is connected in a circuit as shown in Fig. 1.1.

10-1-m-q3a-sq-cie-ial-physics

Fig 1.1

The current in the battery is 2.3 A. 

Calculate the internal resistance r.

3b
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2 marks

Calculate the energy dissipated in the battery in 4.0 minutes.

3c
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2 marks

Calculate the percentage of the total energy transformed by the battery that is dissipated in the battery in 4.0 minutes.

3d
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3 marks

The internal resistance of the battery affects the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the battery to the circuit. 

Explain what causes internal resistance and why this affects the efficiency.

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