Series and parallel circuits: past paper questions

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

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

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Two identical resistors, $R_1$ and $R_2$, are connected to a 24 V battery, as shown in Fig. 7.1. The value of each resistor is 50 $\mathrm{\Omega }$. Calculate the combined resistance of $R_1$ and $R_2$ when they are connected as shown in Fig. 7.1.

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an arrangement of resistors in series and parallel. Which equation is used to calculate the combined resistance of the resistors?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A cylinder is made of modelling clay. The modelling clay is an electrical conductor. Fig. 8.1 shows the cylinder.

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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 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 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 43Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  On Fig. 6.1, sketch the current–voltage graph of a filament lamp and explain its shape.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 7.1 shows a battery of e.m.f. $6.5\text{ V}$ connected in series with a motor, a fixed resistor and a switch. Complete the equation that defines e.m.f.

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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 27May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The battery on a bicycle is connected in parallel to its lamp and bell. The circuit includes two switches, ${\text{S}}_1$ and ${\text{S}}_2$. The cyclist closes ${\text{S}}_1$ to light the lamp.

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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 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 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 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows a circuit containing a $6.0\text{ V}$ battery of cells and three identical resistors. ${\text{S}}_1$ is closed and ${\text{S}}_2$ is open. The current in the ammeter is $0.080\text{ A}$.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A student connects a circuit with two lamps and three switches, ${\text{S}}_1$, ${\text{S}}_2$ and ${\text{S}}_3$, as shown in Fig. 8.1. The student switches on one lamp. State which switches the student closes to switch on only one lamp.

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• Question 28May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The circuit diagram shows a battery connected to two resistors. Four labelled ammeters are connected into the circuit. Which ammeter shows the largest reading?

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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 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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