Series & Parallel Circuits (AQA GCSE Physics): Exam Questions

The circuit in Figure 1 shows how an LDR can be used to turn on a circuit when it gets dark.

Figure 1

If the light intensity decreases, what happens to the current and the potential difference across the LDR?

Determine the resistance of the LDR when the potential difference across it is 3 V.

Explain your answer.

When the light gets dimmer, the resistance of the LDR becomes 200 .

Calculate the current through the LDR when its resistance is 200 .

A student has four resistors.

Each resistor has a resistance of 100.

Explain how the resistors should be connected so that the total resistance is as low as possible.

The four 100 Ω resistors are connected in series with a 3 V cell, as shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

Calculate the current that flows through the cell.

Draw an ammeter on Figure 2 which would allow the current through the cell to be measured.

A student set up the circuit in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3

The ammeter displays a reading of 0.075 A.

Calculate the potential difference across the 80  resistor.

Calculate the resistance of resistor R in Figure 3.

Switch X is closed.

Describe what will happen to the total resistance of the circuit and the current through the circuit.

The circuit diagram in Figure 8 shows two resistors connected in parallel.

Figure 8

Reading on ammeter A₁ = 3 A

Reading on ammeter A₂ = 1 A

Using the circuit diagram in Figure 8, answer the questions below:

Determine the potential difference across resistor R₁.

Determine the current flowing through the variable resistor R₂

Calculate the resistance of the variable resistor R₂.

The resistance of the variable resistor R₂ is increased.

What would happen to:

• The current through R₂

• The potential difference across R₂

• The current through the battery?

Tick (✓) three boxes

Figure 4 below shows how two resistors can be connected in series or in parallel to a 12 V cell.

The resistors are identical.

Figure 4

State the potential difference across each resistor when the lamps are connected in series and in parallel.

Give one disadvantage of connecting the lamps in series rather than in parallel.

Figure 5 shows how an ammeter can be used to measure the current flowing through the battery for the same circuit.

Figure 5

The reading on the ammeter is 1.6 A.

Draw an ammeter on Figure 5 to show how to measure the current through resistor R₂. 

The resistors are identical.

Determine the current through resistor R₂.

Figure 6 shows a fixed resistor connected in series with a variable resistor.

Figure 6

The resistance of the variable resistor can be varied between 100Ω  and 800Ω .

When the variable resistor is set to 100 Ω, voltmeter 1 reads 12 V and voltmeter 2 reads 3 V.

Calculate the potential difference of the battery.

Determine the resistance of the fixed resistor R in the circuit shown in Figure 6.

Draw an ammeter on Figure 6 correctly placed to measure the current passing through the circuit.

Calculate the current through the circuit when the resistance of the variable resistor is set to 400 Ω.

A student investigated how the total resistance of a circuit varied with resistors placed in parallel.

Figure 1 shows the circuit the student used.

Figure 1

The resistance of each resistor is identical.

The student used an ohmmeter to measure the total resistance.

The student took multiple readings and calculated a mean.

Table 1 shows their results.

Table 1

Determine the missing value X for Reading 3.

Explain how calculating a mean increases the accuracy of the data.

The student took a fourth reading.

Reading 4 = 15.2 Ω

The student's partner said that Reading 4 should not be included in the mean.

Justify whether you agree with the student's partner.

The student plotted a graph of the data they produced in their investigation. Figure 2 shows the graph. 

Figure 2

Use the graph in Figure 2 to identify the relationship between the mean total resistance and the number of resistors in parallel.

A homeowner is completing renovations on their property.

They install a security light that switches on automatically when it gets dark.

Figure 1 shows the circuit for the security light.

Figure 1

What happens to the resistance of the LDR, and what happens to the current in the circuit when it gets dark?

Tick (✓) one box.

The homeowner also installs a hob in the kitchen. Figure 2 shows the circuit for the hob.

Figure 2

Explain the benefits of connecting the heating elements in parallel.

When the electric hob has all four heating elements in use at full power, the maximum current drawn from the mains supply is 27 A.

Table 1 shows the maximum current that can flow safely through copper wires with varying cross-sectional areas.

Table 1

Household power sockets are fitted with copper cables with a cross-sectional area of 2.5 mm².

Explain why it would not be safe to plug the hob into a standard power socket.

Figure 1 shows a circuit constructed by a student.

Figure 1

Determine the readings on ammeters A₂ and A₃.

  A₂ = .................................... A

 A₃ = .................................... A

Figure 2 shows another circuit the student built.

Figure 2

Determine the reading on the ammeter and voltmeter.

   Ammeter = .................................... A

 Voltmeter = .................................... V

Figure 3 shows another circuit constructed by the student.

Figure 3

Determine the resistance of resistor Z.

   Resistance = .................................... Ω

A homeowner employs an electrician to install a new shower.

The homeowner chooses to use an electrician rather than doing it himself because if he touches the live wire he will receive an electric shock.

Explain why touching the live wire would cause an electric shock.

Some electrical appliances are fitted with an earth wire.

Describe how an earth wire acts as a safety feature