ASPhysicsCIEExam Questions10. D.C. Circuits10.2 Kirchhoff’s Laws

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

|

Kirchhoff’s Laws (CIE AS Physics)

Exam Questions

2 hours25 questions

Select a question set to download for
10.2 Kirchhoff’s Laws

Select an answer set to view for
10.2 Kirchhoff’s Laws

Easy
Medium
Hard
1
Sme Calculator1 mark

The principles of conservation of which two quantities are associated with Kirchhoff's first and second Laws?

 

First Law

Second Law

A

B

C

D

charge

charge

energy

voltage

energy

voltage

charge

charge

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    2
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    In deriving a formula for the combined resistance of three different resistors in series, Kirchhoff's Laws are used.

     Which physics principle is involved in this derivation ?

    • the conservation of charge

    • the direction of the flow of charge is from negative to positive

    • the potential difference across each resistor is the same

    • the current varies in each resistor, in proportion to the resistor value

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    3
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    The combined resistance RT of two resistors of resistances R1 and R2 connected in parallel is given by the formula

                   1 over R subscript T equals 1 over R subscript 1 plus 1 over R subscript 2

    Which statement is used in the derivation of this formula?

    • the currents through the two resistors are equal

    • the potential difference across each resistor is the same

    • the supply current is split between the two resistors in the same ratio as the ratio of their resistances

    • the total power dissipated is the sum of the powers dissipated in the two resistors separately

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    4
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    Each of Kirchhoff's two Laws presumes that some quantity is conserved.

     Which row states Kirchhoff's first Law and names the quantity that is conserved ?

     

     

    Statement

    Quantity

    A

    The algebraic sum of currents into a junction is zero

    charge

    B

    The algebraic sum of currents into a junction is zero

    energy

    C

    The e. m. f. in a loop is equal to the algebraic sum of the product of current and resistance around the loop

    charge

    D

    The e .m .f. in a loop is equal to the algebraic sum of the product of current and resistance around the loop

    energy

      Choose your answer

      Did this page help you?

      5
      Sme Calculator      1 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?

      1
      Sme Calculator      1 mark

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

      cie-ial-images541png

      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?

      2
      Sme Calculator      1 mark

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

      cie-ial-images544png

      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?

      3
      Sme Calculator      1 mark

      In the circuit shown, all the resistors are identical.

      cie-ial-images545png

      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

      B

      C

      D

      1.5

      3.0

      4.5

      6.0

      1.0

      2.0

      3.0

      4.0

        Choose your answer

        Did this page help you?

        4
        Sme Calculator        1 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 ?

        cie-ial-images547png

        cie-ial-images548png

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          5
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

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

          cie-ial-images549png

          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?

          6
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

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

          cie-ial-images552png

          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

          B

          C

          D

          0

          3.0

          3.0

          6.0

          1.0

          0.5

          1.0

          0

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            7
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

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

            cie-ial-images553png

            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?

            8
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

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

            cie-ial-images555png

            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

            B

            C

            D

            1.0

            1.4

            1.8

            2.2

            0.3

            0.6

            0.9

            1.2

            0.1

            0.2

            0.3

            0.4

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              1
              Sme Calculator              1 mark

              Six resistors, each of resistance 5 Ω, are connected to a 2 V cell of negligible internal resistance.

              cie-ial-images560png

              What is the potential difference between terminals X and Y ?

              • 2 over 3 space V

              • 8 over 9 space V

              • 4 over 3 space V

              • 2 space V

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              2
              Sme Calculator              1 mark

              Four resistors of equal value are connected as shown.

              cie-ial-images561png

              How will the powers to the resistors change when resistor W is removed?

              • the powers to X, Y and Z will all increase

              • the power to X will decrease and the powers to Y and Z will increase

              • the power to X will increase and the powers to Y and Z will decrease

              • the power to X will increase and the powers to Y and Z will remain unaltered

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              3
              Sme Calculator              1 mark

              The diagram shows a four-terminal box connected to a battery and two ammeters.

              cie-ial-images562png

              The currents in the two meters are identical.

               Which circuit, within the box, will give this result ?

              cie-ial-images563png

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                4
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                A p. d. of 12 V is connected between P and Q.

                cie-ial-images564png

                What is the p. d. between X and Y?

                 

                • 0 V

                • 4 V

                • 6 V

                • 8 V

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                5
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                The diagram shows the circuit for a signal to display a green or a red light. It is controlled by the switch S.

                cie-ial-images565png

                The signal is some way from S to which it is connected by a cable with green, red and black wires. At the signal, the green and red wires are connected to the corresponding lamp and the black wire is connected to a terminal x to provide a common return. The arrangement is shown correctly connected and with the switch set to illuminate the red lamp.

                 During maintenance, the wires at the signal are disconnected and, when reconnected, the black wire is connected in error to the green lamp (terminal g) instead of terminal x. The red wire is connected correctly to its lamp and connections at S remain as in the diagram.

                cie-ial-images566png

                When the system is tested with the switch connection to the red wire, what does the signal show ?

                • the green lamp illuminated normally

                • the red lamp illuminated normally

                • the red and green lamps both illuminated normally

                • the red and green lamps both illuminated dimly

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?