Action and use of circuit components: past paper questions

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• Question 27Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit contains a light-dependent resistor (LDR)?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a thermistor?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which heating system circuit would thermistors not be useful?

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• Question 31May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit shown can be completed by inserting components at X and at Y. The completed circuit is a potential divider in which the potential difference (p.d.) across component Y increases when the temperature increases.

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In which circuit does the lamp light?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit enables the resistance of the thermistor to be determined?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An alternating (a.c.) supply is connected to a diode and a resistor in series. Which graph shows how the potential difference $V$ across the resistor varies with time $t$?

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit diagrams show circuits that can control the potential difference (p.d.) across a lamp.

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  An electrical engineer has made a pair of components P and Q. The resistance of P decreases as the temperature rises. The resistance of Q increases as the temperature rises. The total resistance of P and Q in series remains constant when the temperature changes.

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a circuit used to switch on a heater when the temperature drops below a certain value. Which row shows the components that should be connected at X and at Y?

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 8.1 shows a lamp and a thermistor connected in a series circuit. The lamp is glowing with normal brightness. A teacher uses a meter to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows a circuit which includes an LDR (light-dependent resistor). The LDR is in a brightly lit room. The voltmeter reads $1.8\text{ V}$.

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes how a diode operates in an electrical circuit?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit diagram shows a circuit used to run a d.c. motor from an a.c. supply.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Complete the definition of an ‘electric field’.

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• Question 29May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A resistor and a thermistor are connected in a series circuit, as shown. What happens to the readings on the ammeter and the voltmeter when the thermistor is heated?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit diagram shows a thermistor in a potential divider. Two voltmeters X and Y are connected in the circuit. When the temperature of the thermistor increases, its resistance decreases.

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit shown can be completed by inserting components at X and at Y. The completed circuit is a potential divider in which the potential difference across component Y increases when the temperature increases.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student connects the circuit shown in Figure 7.1. The connecting wires in the circuit are made of metal. State the name of the particles that flow in the metal wires.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A potential divider is made by connecting a light-dependent resistor (LDR) and a thermistor in series. Fig. 6.1 shows the potential divider, a voltmeter and a direct current (d.c.) power supply connected into a circuit.

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two resistors, with resistances $R_1$ and $R_2$, are used as a potential divider. What is the relationship between $R_1$, $R_2$ and potential differences $V_1$ and $V_2$?

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• Question 28May/June 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuits shown all include a d.c. power supply, one diode and two light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In which circuit will both LEDs be turned on?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a light-dependent resistor (LDR) connected in a potential divider circuit. The brightness of the light falling on the LDR is increased. Which row shows what happens to the resistance of the LDR and what happens to the reading on the voltmeter?

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• Question 29May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the circuit for a potential divider. Which equation is used to calculate $V_1$?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates an electric circuit. Fig. 9.1 shows the student’s circuit. Describe the purpose of the variable resistor in Fig. 9.1.

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• Question 30May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which electrical device is used to convert a.c. to d.c.?

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• Question 29May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two resistors used as a potential divider. The reading on the voltmeter is $1.8\text{ V}$. What is the resistance of the resistor R?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows the circuit diagram for a flashlight (torch). The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery is $4.5\text{ V}$. The circuit contains a $60\mathrm{\Omega }$ fixed resistor.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two circuits. Each relay is normally open when there is no current in the coil. Which environmental conditions will cause the light-emitting diodes in circuit 1 and circuit 2 both to emit light?

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• Question 29May/June 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a circuit that switches on a lamp when there is a change in the environment. Which change in the environment causes the lamp to be switched on?

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