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A Level Physics 9702, topic 19.3

Discharging a capacitor: past paper questions

10 Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 questions on Discharging a capacitor (19.3) from 10 papers, 2023 to 2025. Open the paper or try a question free.

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Questions
10
Papers
10
Years
2023 to 2025
Total marks
104
Average per question
10.4 marks
Largest question
12 marks

By type: Structured 10

What the syllabus asks

  • analyse graphs of the variation with time of potential difference, charge and current for a capacitor discharging through a resistor
  • recall and use τ = RC for the time constant for a capacitor discharging through a resistor
  • use equations of the form x = x0 e–(t/RC) where x could represent current, charge or potential difference for a capacitor discharging through a resistor

How hard the questions are

  • Recall0
  • Apply6
  • Analyse4
  • Not banded0

Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.

Command words

  • determineApply8 questions

    establish an answer using the information available

  • stateRecall6 questions

    express in clear terms

  • show thatApply5 questions
  • calculateApply4 questions

    work out from given facts, figures or information

  • completeApply4 questions
  • useApply4 questions
  • drawApply3 questions
  • explainAnalyse2 questions

    set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence

  • suggestAnalyse2 questions

    apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals

  • defineRecall1 question

    give precise meaning

Where the questions come from

By year

  • 20253
  • 20244
  • 20233

By session

  • May/June6
  • Oct/Nov4

By paper

  • Paper 410

Questions on this topic

Showing 7 of 10, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.

  • Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured11 marksHas a diagram

    Define electric field at a point.

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  • Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured11 marksHas a diagram

    State what is meant by rectification of an alternating voltage.

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  • Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured9 marksHas a diagram

    A capacitor C is charged so that the potential difference (p.d.) V across its terminals is 8.0 V. The capacitor is connected into the circuit of Fig. 6.1. The switch is initially open.

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  • Question 6May/June 2025, paper 41Structured12 marksHas a diagram

    Fig. 6.1 shows a circuit that rectifies an alternating input voltage VIN and produces an output voltage VOUT across a resistor R.

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  • Question 5May/June 2023, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

    Part of an electric circuit is shown in Fig. 5.1. The circuit is used to produce half-wave rectification of an alternating voltage of potential difference (p.d.) VIN. The output p.d.

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  • Question 6May/June 2025, paper 43Structured12 marksHas a diagram

    Fig. 6.1 shows a circuit that rectifies an alternating input voltage VIN and produces an output voltage VOUT across a resistor R.

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  • Question 6May/June 2024, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

    Fig. 6.1 shows a capacitor of capacitance C connected in series with a resistor of resistance R. Fig. 6.1 Initially the switch is open and there is a p.d. of 12 V across the capacitor.

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