Circuit diagrams and circuit components: past paper questions

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

  The diagram shows a lamp, three resistors and three switches, X, Y and Z, connected to a battery. For which combination of switch settings does the lamp shine the brightest?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Essay6 marksHas a diagram

  A solar cell is a device that can generate electrical power when light falls on it. You are given a solar cell connected to a fixed resistor as in the incomplete circuit shown in Fig. 4.1.

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit contains a fuse and a diode?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the resistance of a thermistor. Some of the apparatus used is shown in Figure 2.1. Draw a diagram of the circuit shown in Figure 2.1, using standard electrical symbols.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates a light dependent resistor (LDR). The student constructs a series circuit consisting of a power supply, the LDR, a $560\mathrm{\Omega }$ resistor and a switch. Draw a diagram of the circuit arrangement, using the correct symbols for the components in the circuit.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A filament lamp connected to a $12\text{ V}$ power supply transfers $24\text{ W}$ of power. Calculate: the current in the lamp current = ......................................................

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the resistance of a resistance wire. The circuit used is shown in Fig. 2.1. The crocodile clip attached to the flying lead is connected to different points along the length of the resistance wire.

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• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student sets up a circuit to determine the resistance of a length of wire.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the resistance of a light-emitting diode (LED) when different currents flow through it. The student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates how the potential difference $V$ across the terminals of a power supply changes as the current $I$ in a circuit changes. The student assembles the circuit shown in Fig. 3.1. The student closes the switch and observes the reading $V_0$ on the voltmeter.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 22Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 5.1 to measure the resistance of a length of wire. The circuit contains four identical cells. The student finds that both meters read zero when the switch is closed.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which circuit contains a heater and a fuse?

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 21Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a circuit containing three resistors, a 12 V power supply and an ammeter.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the resistance of a lamp. (a) Fig. 1.1 shows the circuit used. The student closes the switch.

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 41Essay6 marks

  Plan an experiment to investigate how the thickness of a metal wire affects its resistance.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates a thermistor using the circuit in Fig. 2.1. Draw a circuit diagram of the circuit.

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the resistance of a diode when different currents flow through it. The student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 1.1. The student connects a voltmeter into the circuit to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the diode.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the effective resistance of different combinations of resistors and lamps in circuits. The student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1.

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