Electric circuits: 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 28Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the combined resistance of a $3.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistor and a $6.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistor connected in parallel?

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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 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Two $2.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistors are connected in parallel. What is the combined resistance of the resistors?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a circuit containing two identical resistors connected to a battery. The current is measured at X and at Y. Which row is correct?

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student constructs four circuits, each containing a fuse. The fuse blows in one circuit and both lamps in the circuit go out. In which circuit does the fuse blow and both lamps go out?

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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 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which heating system circuit would thermistors not be useful?

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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 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two resistors in series connected to a power supply. The reading on the voltmeter is $3.0\text{ V}$ when the switch is closed. What is the resistance of resistor R?

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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 29Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Resistors of resistance $2.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ and $3.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ are connected in two different circuits. What is the total resistance in each circuit?

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• Question 30May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a battery connected to four resistors. The resistances of the resistors are as labelled. At which point in the circuit is the current the lowest?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Lamps can be connected in series or in parallel to a power supply. What is an advantage of connecting the lamps in parallel rather than in series?

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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 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 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 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 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

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

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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 29May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Two resistors, X and Y, are connected in parallel. The two resistors have a combined resistance of $24\mathrm{\Omega }$. Resistor X has a resistance of $40\mathrm{\Omega }$.

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In the circuit shown, resistor X has twice the resistance of resistor Y. Which statement about the circuit is correct?

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

  In which circuit does the lamp light?

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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 29May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which combination has a resistance of $8.0\mathrm{\Omega }$?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit shows possible correct values for the currents?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an electrical circuit. Which statement is correct?

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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 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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