Revision NotesExam Questions
IBPhysics: HLDPExam Questions5. Electricity & Magnetism 5.3 Electric Cells

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

|

Electric Cells (DP IB Physics: HL)

Exam Questions

3 hours44 questions

Select a question set to download for
5.3 Electric Cells

Select an answer set to view for
5.3 Electric Cells

Easy
Medium
Hard
1
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which is the correct unit for electromotive force?

  • Newton, N

  • Ampere, A

  • Volt, V

  • Coulomb, C

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

2
Sme Calculator1 mark

A cell has an emf of 5 V and internal resistance 5 Ω and is connected to a lamp of resistance 200 Ω. What is the current in the cell?

  • 0.10 A

  • 0.050 A

  • 0.025 A

  • 0.024 A

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

3
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which statement correctly describes internal resistance?

  • The internal resistance of a cell is measured in amperes.

  • When the internal resistance is zero, the terminal pd of a cell is equal to its emf.

  • Internal resistance of a cell is due to resistance in the circuit wires.

  • Internal resistance within a cell increases its emf.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

4
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which graph correctly shows the variation of terminal potential difference V of a cell with current I ?

q4_electromotive-force--internal-resistance_aqa-as-physics-mcq

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    5
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    A graph showing the variation of terminal potential difference V of a cell with the current I flowing through it is shown:

    q5_electromotive-force--internal-resistance_aqa-as-physics-mcq

    Which line identifies the quantity which is represented by the magnitude of the slope of the graph?

    • The internal resistance of the cell.

    • The terminal potential difference provided by the cell.

    • The current through the cell.

    • The external resistance in the circuit.

    Choose your answer

    Did this page help you?

    6
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    In a circuit-building investigation, two rechargeable 1.5 V AA batteries and one non-rechargeable 9.0 V C battery are used. What types of cells are these?

      rechargeable 1.5 V AA non-rechargeable 9.0 V C
    A. primary cell primary cell
    B. primary cell secondary cell
    C. secondary cell primary cell
    D. secondary cell secondary cell

      Choose your answer

      Did this page help you?

      7
      Sme Calculator      1 mark

      Primary and secondary cells both transfer energy due to the movement of electrons between the positive and negative terminals of the cell.

      Which row correctly identifies the direction of flow of electrons when the cell is in use, powering a circuit?

        primary cell secondary cell
      A. from negative to positive from positive to negative
      B. from negative to positive from negative to positive
      C. from positive to negative from negative to positive
      D. from positive to negative from positive to negative

        Choose your answer

        Did this page help you?

        8
        Sme Calculator        1 mark

        For the discharge curve shown, which line most closely describes the discharging voltage of the cell over time?

        5-3-q8-sl-easy-mcq-phy

          at start of use during most use at end of use
        A. slow fast plateaus
        B. fast plateaus fast
        C. plateaus plateaus fast
        D. fast slow slow

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          9
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

          Three discharge curves are shown, for three identical cells. The cells are connected to three different circuits, I, II and III.

          By interpreting the graph, what can be said about the circuits?

          5-3-q9-sl-easy-mcq-phy

          • Circuit I draws less current than circuit III

          • Circuit II includes an ammeter

          • Circuit I draws more current than circuit III

          • Circuit II includes a voltmeter

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          10
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

          Which of the following statements about the emfspace ϵ spaceof a cell is correct?

          • The emf is measured in Newtons

          • ϵ space equals space I R space plus space I r squared, where R is the load resistance and r is the internal resistance

          • ϵ is the amount of chemical energy transferred to electric energy, per unit of charge through a cell

          • The emf of a cell is always less than its terminal – or output – potential difference

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          1
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

          A resistor R is connected to the terminals of a battery of emf 9.0 V and internal resistance r.

          q11_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

          A charge of 240 C through the resistor in two minutes. The power dissipated in the resistor as a result is 1440 J. What is the internal resistance r of the battery?  

          • 3.0 Ω

          • 2.0 Ω 

          • 1.5 Ω 

          • 4.5 Ω 

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          2
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

          A battery of electromotive force ϵ delivers charge Q to the load resistance. Which of the following statements is correct?

          • The chemical work done around the circuit is ϵQ 

          • The electrical work done between the terminals of the battery is ϵQ

          • The load resistance is ϵQ

          • The electrical work done in the battery and the across the load resistance is ϵQ  

          Choose your answer

          Did this page help you?

          3
          Sme Calculator          1 mark

          The potential difference across the terminals of a battery is 5.0 V when the current is 1.0 A and 4.0 V when the current is 1.5 A. What is the emf of the battery and its internal resistance?

           

          emf (V)

          internal resistance (Ω)
          A.

          7.0

          2.0
          B.

          7.0

          0.5
          C.

          3.0

          2.0
          D.

          3.0

          		 0.5

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            4
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            Which of the following statements about discharging cells is incorrect?

            • The capacity of a cell is proportional to the amount of charge delivered to an external circuit over a cell’s lifetime 

            • The lifetime of a cell depends on its capacity 

            • The lifetime of a cell depends on the current it produces

            • The internal resistance of a cell gradually increases over its lifetime  

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            5
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            An electrical circuit is designed to measure the current I through a variable resistor R. The cell used in the circuit has an emf ϵ and an internal resistance r.

            A graph shows the variation of bold 1 over bold I with R. q15_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

            What is the magnitude of the gradient?

            • 1 over ϵ

            • 1 over R

            • 1 over r

            • r

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            6
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            In the circuit shown, a primary cell charges a secondary cell through a pair of resistors.q16_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq Which of the following statements about the circuit is correct?

            • Primary cells are rechargeable

            • The power generated in the primary cell is equal to the power stored in the secondary cell

            • The current in the circuit is 0.5 A 

            • The power stored in the secondary cell is 20% of the power generated by the primary cell

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            7
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            Which statement about terminal potential difference V and e.m.f. ϵ is incorrect?

            • For non-ideal batteries, terminal potential difference is always measured to be less than the e.m.f. 

            • V = ϵ only when current in the cell is zero 

            • For ideal batteries, the terminal potential difference is always measured to be less than the e.m.f. 

            • The terminal potential difference of non-ideal batteries decreases over time

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            8
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            Which of the following units for internal resistance is incorrect?

            • V A–1

            • J s–1 A–2

            • kg m2 A­–2 s–2

            • kg m2 A­–2 s–3

            Choose your answer

            Did this page help you?

            9
            Sme Calculator            1 mark

            In the two circuits shown, only the internal resistances differ.

            q19_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

            Which row in the table below correctly describes the potential difference across and power dissipated by the 3 Ω resistor? 

              potential difference across the 3 Ω resistor (V)

            power dissipated in the 3 Ω resistor (W)
            A.

            Greater in X than in Y

            Lesser in X than in Y
            B.

            Greater in X than in Y

            Greater in X than in Y
            C.

            Lesser in X than in Y

            Lesser in X than in Y
            D. Lesser in X than in Y Greater in X than in Y

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              10
              Sme Calculator              1 mark

              A cell of internal resistance r is connected to a variable resistor R.

              q20_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq 

              Which of the following statements about the circuit is/are correct?

              (1) If the resistance of R decreases, the terminal potential difference of the cell also decreases, but the power dissipated in the cell is large

              (2) If the resistance of R is made very large, the current in the circuit is very small but most of the power supplied by the cell is dissipated by R

              (3) If the resistance of R is made very small, then the lifetime of the cell reduces

              • Statement (1) only

              • Statement (2) only

              • Statements (1) and (3) only

              • Statements (1), (2) and (3)

              Choose your answer

              Did this page help you?

              1
              Sme Calculator              1 mark

              Five resistors of equal resistance are connected to a cell as shown. 

              5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q1-phy

              Which of the following is correct about the power dissipated PX, PY and PZ in resistors X, Y and Z respectively? 

                PX PY PZ
              A. I squared R 1 third I squared R 2 over 3 I squared R
              B. 1 fourth I squared R 1 third I squared R 4 over 9 I squared R
              C. I squared R 1 over 9 I squared R 2 over 3 I squared R
              D. 1 fourth I squared R 1 over 9 I squared R 4 over 9 I squared R

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                2
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                Two cells, X and Y, each with internal resistance 1.0 Ω, are connected in a circuit with two resistors as shown. 

                5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q2-phy

                Which of the following statements is not correct? 

                • The circuit charges cell X

                • The power dissipated in cell X is greater than the power dissipated in cell Y

                • The charging current is 1.0 A

                • The circuit charges cell Y

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                3
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                A cell with e.m.f. V0 and negligible internal resistance is connected across a uniform resistance wire of length XY. 

                5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q3-phy

                The flying lead connected at X and is able to connect to XY at any distance r from X. 

                Which expression correctly determines the reading on the voltmeter, V? 

                • r

                • V subscript 0 r

                • fraction numerator r over denominator X Y end fraction

                • fraction numerator V subscript 0 r over denominator X Y end fraction

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                4
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                A circuit contains two batteries, an external resistor and a motor, which is attached to a pulley that lifts a load. The direction of current in the circuit is indicated. 

                5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q4-phy

                Which of the following energy transformations most accurately describes the behaviour of the circuit? 

                • chemical → electrical + thermal + mechanical

                • chemical + electrical → mechanical + thermal 

                • chemical → electrical + thermal + mechanical + gravitational 

                • chemical + electrical → thermal + mechanical + gravitational 

                Choose your answer

                Did this page help you?

                5
                Sme Calculator                1 mark

                A pump is designed to move water through a certain height h such that the water flows back down, turning a paddle wheel. Such a system is often used to explain the operation of a battery in an electric circuit.

                5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q5-phy

                Which row in the table below best contrasts the work done by the pump and a battery? 

                  Pump Battery
                A. Does work on the water flowing in the pump Does work on the current flowing in the wires
                B. Does work on the water flowing in pipes Does work on the current flowing in the wires
                C. Does work on the water flowing in the pump Does work on the ions in the battery
                D. Does work on the water flowing in the pipes Does work on the ions in the battery

                  Choose your answer

                  Did this page help you?

                  6
                  Sme Calculator                  1 mark

                  A 24 V solar panel charges a 12 V battery with internal resistance 0.10 Ω. 

                  5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q6-phy

                  Which of the following is correct? 

                    V1 V2
                  A. 18 12.6
                  B. 30 –12.6
                  C. 18 –12.6
                  D. 30 12.6

                    Choose your answer

                    Did this page help you?

                    7
                    Sme Calculator                    1 mark

                    A cell has internal resistance r.

                    A graph of terminal potential difference V across the cell against current drawn from the cell I is shown. The scales are such that the length O epsilon is equal to the length O open parentheses epsilon divided by r close parentheses. A point P is chosen on the graph, such that open parentheses O close parentheses open parentheses epsilon divided by 2 close parentheses open parentheses P close parentheses open parentheses epsilon divided by 2 r close parentheses is a square. 

                    5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q7-phy

                    Which of the following statements is correct? 

                    • P is the point at which the load resistance is maximum

                    • P is the point at which maximum power is delivered by the cell 

                    • P is the point at which minimum power is delivered by the cell

                    • P is the point at which the internal resistance of the cell reduces to zero

                    Choose your answer

                    Did this page help you?

                    8
                    Sme Calculator                    1 mark

                    Which of the following correctly describes the electromotive force of a cell? 

                    • The difference in energy between that needed to drive unit charge through the load resistance and through the cell

                    • The energy used to drive unit charge through the load resistance

                    • The energy used to drive unit charge through the cell's internal resistance

                    • The total energy used to drive unit charge round the complete circuit

                    Choose your answer

                    Did this page help you?

                    9
                    Sme Calculator                    1 mark

                    The figure shows how the e.m.f. of a simple generator varies with time. 

                    5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q9-phy

                    Which of the following statements is incorrect? 

                    • The alternating e.m.f. does not affect the internal resistance of the generator

                    • The frequency of the e.m.f. is 200 Hz

                    • The internal resistance of the generator alternates with a frequency of 200 Hz 

                    • The internal resistance of a power supply depends on its capacity

                    Choose your answer

                    Did this page help you?

                    10
                    Sme Calculator                    1 mark

                    Two almost identical lead-acid accumulator batteries, X and Y, are connected in a circuit as shown. 

                    5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q10-phy

                    The following information is provided: 

                    • When S1 is closed and S2 remains open, the millivoltmeter reads 60 mV
                    • When both S1 and S2 are closed, the reading on the millivoltmeter changes by 20 mV and the ammeter reads 5.0 A

                    What is the resistance of R? 

                    • 4.0 mΩ

                    • 4.0 Ω

                    • 4.0 kΩ

                    • 40 kΩ

                    Choose your answer

                    Did this page help you?