Resistance and resistivity: past paper questions

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• Question 32May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Several wires of the same fixed length are made of metal of constant resistivity. The wires have different cross-sectional areas. Which graph represents the variation of the resistance $R$ of the wires with their cross-sectional area $A$?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graphs show possible current–voltage ($I$–$V$) characteristics for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The potential difference $V$ across a filament lamp is slowly raised from zero to its normal operating value. Which graph represents the variation with $V$ of the current $I$ in the lamp?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which graph could show how the resistance $R$ of a filament lamp varies with the applied potential difference (p.d.) $V$, as $V$ is increased to the normal operating p.d.?

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• Question 32May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An electrical component is connected into a circuit. Which component and which change causes an increase in the resistance of the component?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two identical wires X and Y, each of length $L$ and radius $r$, are connected in parallel as shown. The total resistance of this combination is $R_1$. Wire X is replaced with a wire of the same material with length $L$ and radius $2r$.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three resistors are connected to a cell of negligible internal resistance. Which circuit has a combined resistance of $100\mathrm{\Omega }$?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The potential difference across a metal wire is kept constant. The length $l$ and the diameter $d$ of the wire are both varied. The type of metal is kept the same.

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• Question 33May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which graph shows the $I\text{–}V$ characteristic of a filament lamp?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by the work done by a force.

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The resistance of a filament lamp increases as the current in it increases. What is the reason for this?

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three resistor networks, X, Y and Z, are formed from identical resistors as shown. What is the order of the networks from smallest total resistance to largest total resistance?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows two resistors connected in series with a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) $1.50\text{ V}$ and internal resistance $0.28\mathrm{\Omega }$. One of the resistors has resistance $1.0\mathrm{\Omega }$. The other resistor has resistance $R$.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 12 V and negligible internal resistance is connected to a fixed resistor of resistance $40\mathrm{\Omega }$ and a thermistor of resistance $R_{\text{T}}$, as shown.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 22Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Three resistors of resistances $R_1$, $R_2$ and $R_3$ are connected in a network in parallel as shown in Figure 5.1. The currents in the resistors are $I_1$, $I_2$ and $I_3$ respectively. The total current entering the network is $I_{\text{T}}$.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A wire has length $L$ and cross-sectional area $A$. The wire is made from a metal that has Young modulus $E$ and resistivity $\rho$. Define the Young modulus of a material.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the unit of resistivity?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  A metal wire has a resistance per unit length of $0.92\mathrm{\Omega }{\text{ m}}^{-1}$. The wire has a uniform cross-sectional area of $5.3\times {10}^{-7}{\text{ m}}^2$. Calculate the resistivity of the metal of the wire.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  State Kirchhoff’s first law.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The $I\text{–}V$ characteristics for four components, A, B, C and D, are shown. Which component has the greatest resistance when the potential difference across it is $V_1$?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State Ohm’s law.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The current in a filament lamp is increased. Which statement about the lamp is correct?

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• Question 32May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which graph shows the $I$–$V$ characteristic of a filament lamp?

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• Question 32May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which expression gives the definition of resistance?

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• Question 33May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The resistance of a metal cube is measured by placing it between two parallel plates, as shown. The cube has volume $V$ and is made of a material with resistivity $\rho$. The connections to the cube have negligible resistance.

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• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graph shows the $I$–$V$ characteristic of an electrical component. What is the component?

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 22Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Lightning occurs when charge builds up in the atmosphere, creating a potential difference between the ground and the atmosphere. During a lightning strike there is an average current of $3.3\times {10}^4\text{ A}$ for a time of $2.6\times {10}^{-5}\text{ s}$.

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• Question 32May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An electrical cable is made up of one thick strand of copper wire that is surrounded by eight thin strands of copper wire. All nine strands of wire are connected in parallel with each other.

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• Question 35May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a circuit containing a thermistor, a fixed resistor and a battery. The graph shows the $I$–$V$ characteristics of both components. The battery has an e.m.f.

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• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The $I\text{–}V$ characteristics for three electrical components are shown. Which components obey Ohm’s law?

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