Circuit diagrams and circuit components: past paper questions

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• Question 31May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The diagram shows a circuit. Which statement correctly describes this circuit?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The circuit symbol for an ammeter is a circle with a letter A in it. The symbol for a fuse is a rectangle with a central line. Which pair of circuit symbols is also one involving a circle followed by one involving a rectangle?

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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 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 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a torch containing two cells, a switch and a lamp. Which circuit diagram is correct for the torch?

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

  In which circuit does the lamp light?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which symbol represents a device that contains a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field?

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• Question 26May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four students draw a circuit diagram of the apparatus used to measure the resistance of resistor R. Which circuit is correct?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher connects the circuit shown in Fig. 9.1. Give the name for the way the components are connected in this circuit.

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit contains a diode connected in series with a fixed resistor?

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• Question 28May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which symbol represents an electric heater?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured10 marks

  A student is making a torch. The torch needs a potential difference (p.d) of $6.0\text{ V}$. The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of each cell for the torch is $1.5\text{ V}$.

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• Question 26May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What is an electric current and how is an ammeter positioned in a circuit to measure the current in a resistor?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a solenoid. Draw on Fig. 8.1 four complete magnetic field lines that show the pattern and direction of the magnetic field inside and outside the solenoid.

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• Question 28May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit in the diagram contains four switches, ${\text{S}}_1$, ${\text{S}}_2$, ${\text{S}}_3$ and ${\text{S}}_4$. Which three switches must be closed for the heater to work?

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• Question 27May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows six different electrical circuit components. Which circuit symbol is not present in the diagram?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured9 marks

  A circuit consists of an a.c. supply and two lamps. The lamps are connected in parallel.

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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 28May/June 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit shown contains three switches and four lamps P, Q, R and S. Which switches must be closed to light only lamps P and R?

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 33Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows part of a circuit for measuring the resistance of a lamp. Draw on Fig. 8.1 to show how to connect a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the lamp.

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• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a series circuit. Two of the components in the circuit are labelled. State the name of two other components in the circuit.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows the circuit diagram for a $16\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistor and an $8.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistor connected to a $6.0\text{ V}$ battery. Calculate the combined resistance of the two resistors shown in Fig. 8.1.

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A student uses the circuit in Fig. 8.1 to measure the resistance of the heater in the circuit. Fig. 8.1 The symbols for the meters in Fig. 8.1 are incomplete. Complete the symbols for the two meters by writing in the circles in Fig. 8.1.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a mains-powered electric fan heater fixed on a bathroom wall. The pull cord switches the fan heater on and off. Suggest why a pull cord is safer than a push switch for a fan heater in a bathroom.

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 33Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows the electrical symbols for some circuit components. Draw a line from each electrical symbol to the name of the circuit component it represents.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows two resistors connected in series. Calculate the combined resistance of the two resistors in series.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 33Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a mains-powered electric fan heater fixed on a bathroom wall. Fig. 8.1 The pull cord switches the fan heater on and off. Suggest why a pull cord is safer than a push switch for a fan heater in a bathroom.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows two resistors connected in series. Fig. 9.1 Calculate the combined resistance of the two resistors in series.

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