14 Electrical Circuits

14 Electrical circuits Answers
Page 245–246 Test yourself on prior knowledge

𝐸
1 P =𝑡
360×103 𝐽
= (3×60 𝑠)
= 2000 W
2 P = VI
𝑃
⇒I =
𝑉
2000 𝑊
=
230 𝑉
= 8.70 A = 9 A (1 sf)
3 All in volts, V: 1.39; 1.45; 1.47; 2.84; 2.86; 2.92; 4.31
4 a) V = IR
= 0.6 × 10-3 A × 470 
= 0.282 V = 0.3 V (1 sf)
b) V1 = 1.5 V – 0.282 V
= 1.218 V = 1 V (1sf)
𝑉1
c) R1 =
𝐼
1.218 𝑉
= 0.6×10−3 𝐴
= 2030  = 2000  (1 sf)

d) RT = R1 + R
= 2030  + 470 
= 2500  = 3000  (1 sf)
5 a) IT = 0.90 A + 0.41 A + 0.19 A = 1.5 A
𝑉 9.0 𝑉
b) R1 = 𝐼 = 0.90 𝐴
1
= 10 
𝑉 9.0 𝑉
R2 = 𝐼 = 0.41 𝐴
2
= 21.95  = 22  (2 sf)
𝑉 9.0 𝑉
R3 = 𝐼 = 0.19 𝐴
3
= 47.37  = 47  (2 sf)
© Nick England, Jeremy Pollard, Nicky Thomas & Carol Davenport 2019
Page 247 Test yourself

𝑉2
1 R = 𝑃
230 2 𝑉 2
= 2.2×103 𝑊
= 24.045  = 24  (2 sf)
2 a) A
b) C
c) B
d) E
𝑉2
3 P =
𝑅
⇒ V = √𝑃 × 𝑅
= √25 𝑊 × 330 Ω
= 90.83 V = 91 V (2 sf)
4 a) P = IV
𝑃
⇒I =𝑉
0.30 𝑊
= 3.8 𝑉
= 0.0789 A = 0.079 A (2 sf)

b) Capacity (current × time) = charge stored
= 1560 × 10-3 A × 3600 s
= 5616 C = 5600 C (2 sf)
Q
c) t =
I
5616 C
t= = 70975s ≈ 19 hours 43 minutes
0.0789A
5 a) P = IV
𝑉
substituting I = 𝑅
𝑉
= (𝑅 ) × 𝑉
𝑉2
= 𝑅
b) If V is doubled, P increases by a factor of 4.

If the resistance is halved, then the power doubles.
The overall effect is P increases by a factor of 8.
P = 0.068 W × 8 = 0.544 W = 0.54 W (2 sf).
OR numerically:
(3.0 𝑉)2
𝑃= 16.5 Ω
= 0.54 𝑊
Page 248 Activity

Comparing the power of a 12 V bulb and a rheostat
1
Current, I, (A), ± 0.01 A Power, P, (W)

Potential difference, V, (V), ±0.01 V
Rheostat Bulb Rheostat Bulb
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2.00 0.08 0.02 0.16 0.04
4.00 0.16 0.09 0.64 0.36
6.00 0.24 0.21 1.44 1.26
8.00 0.32 0.37 2.56 2.96
10.00 0.40 0.58 4.00 5.80
12.00 0.48 0.83 5.76 9.96
3 In both cases, P increases with V. The bulb increases in the form P = kV3 (using Excel to fit best-fit
curve) and the rheostat increases in the form P = V2/R. The rheostat initially has P increasing at a
greater rate than for the bulb. At V = 5 V, both components have the same power. As V increases
the power of the bulb increases at a higher rate than the rheostat.
4 R = V/I, which equals 25 , for each V-I combination.
5 Using Excel to plot a graph of P against V3, produces the graph shown below. A best-fit line is
fitted to the data and Excel calculates the gradient, hence k, to be 0.0057.
6 P = V2/R. The resistance of the rheostat is constant, hence P only varies with V2. In the bulb, R
increases with V, adding another term to the power equation in terms of V – this means P  V3 –
from best-fit.
Extension
The maximum uncertainty in the resistance calculation of the rheostat occurs when the values are
lowest (non-zero), i.e. at V = 2.00 V and I = 0.08 A. The percentage uncertainty in V is therefore 0.5%
and the percentage uncertainty in I is 12.5%, giving a combined uncertainty of 13%, this drops to just
over 2% when V = 12.00 V.
Page 251–252 Test yourself

6 a) V = IR
= 300 × 10-3 A × 4.8 
= 1.44 V = 1.4 V (2 sf)
b) There is always a pd across the internal resistance, which reduces the pd across the output
terminals of the cell.
c) The current is constant at 300 mA for 5 hours. After this time the current reduces to zero in 30
minutes at a rate of approximately 10 mA per minute.
d) The current output by the cell depends upon the chemical reactions occurring inside the cell,
each reaction producing the same emf. When the chemicals to react run out, the emf drops
rapidly to zero.
e) Total charge = area under I-t graph. Approximating the shape under the graph as a rectangle
and a triangle:
1
ΔQ = (300 × 10-3 A × 5 hr × 3600 s) + ( 2 × 300 10-3 A × 30 min × 60 s)
= 5670 C = 5700 C (2 sf)

7 The internal resistance of the cell = gradient of V-I graph:
(8.7 𝑉−1.8 𝑉)
𝑟 = (18.0 = 0.40 
𝐴−0.80 𝐴)
8 a) X
b) X
c) Y
d) X
Page 253–254 Required practical 6

Investigation of the emf and internal resistance of electric cells and batteries by measuring the
variation of the terminal p.d. of the cell with current in it
1
Avg. I
0.633 0.573 0.490 0.340 0.244 0.147 0.078 0.038 0.018 0.008 0.004 0.002
(mA)
Avg. V
0.062 0.125 0.229 0.418 0.544 0.675 0.781 0.832 0.864 0.880 0.889 0.893
(V)
3 ℰ = 𝐼(𝑅 + 𝑟) = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑟,
𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
𝑠𝑜, ℰ = 𝑉 + 𝐼𝑅, 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = ℰ − 𝐼𝑟
4 ℰ = 0.884 𝑉 from graph (Excel plot and best-fit straight line).

5 Excel measures the gradient to be 1.3288, but this is with the current in mA, so r = 1328.8  or
1330  (3 sf).
Extension
Using the spread of the data and the uncertainties in the precision of the ammeter and voltmeter to
produce error bars on each point produces graph shown below. Two further fit lines can be drawn
using the spread of the error bars to estimate the uncertainty on the true best-fit line, one with a
higher gradient (in blue) and one with a lower gradient (in red).
The blue line yields ℰ = 0.910 V and r = 1458 .

The red line yields ℰ = 0.860 V and r = 1240 .
Using half the range as the uncertainty leads to:
ℰ = (0.884  0.025) V and r = (1330  109)  (all 3 sf).

9 a) B
b) A
c) E
d) D
e) A
10 a) The current in bulb P is less than that in bulb Q.

b) The p.d. across lamp P is the same as that in bulb Q.
c) The electrical power of bulb Q is greater than that in bulb P.
d) The electrical resistance of bulb Q is less than that in bulb P.

1 1 1 1
11 𝑅 = 𝑅 + 𝑅 + 𝑅
𝑇 1 2 3
3
= 𝑅 since all resistors are equal
3
=
3.3×103 Ω
3.3×103 Ω
⇒ 𝑅𝑇 = 3
= 1.1 × 103 Ω
1 1 1
12 a) 𝑅𝑇
=𝑅 +𝑅
1 2
1 1
= +
1×103 Ω 330×103 Ω
⇒ RT = 997  = 1 k (1 sf)
𝑉
b) I =𝑅
12 𝑉
=
997 Ω
= 0.012 A = 0.01 A (1 sf)

13 a) Resistance of two resistors in parallel,
1 1 1
= +
𝑅 47×103 Ω 47×103 Ω
2
= ⟹ 𝑅 = 23.5 × 103 Ω
47×103 Ω
Total resistance of circuit = 47 × 103 + 23.5 × 103

= 70.5 × 103 
= 71 × 103 
𝑉
b) Current through 47 k resistor in series, Iseries =
𝑅𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
12 𝑉
= 70.5×103 Ω
= 1.7 × 10-4 A
As the two parallel resistors are the same, the current through each of the parallel resistors is
the same and will be half the total current = 0.85 × 10-4 A
Iparallel = 8.5 × 10-5 A (2 sf)
𝑉
14 a) I =𝑅
6.0 𝑉
= 2.2 Ω
= 2.72 A = 2.7 A (2 sf)

b) Total Resistance of circuit = 2.2  + 0.3  = 2.5 
𝑉 6.0 𝑉
c) Current flowing, I = 𝑅 = 2.5 Ω
= 2.4 A
d) The total resistance in the circuit is higher.
e) The resistance of the ammeter could be reduced.
The ammeter could have a built in ‘offset’ that takes the inherent resistance into account.
f) Zero
g) 3.0 V (by inspection)
h) 23.5 k
i) 2.0 V (by ratio)
j) The resistance between X and Y in Circuit 3 is larger than the resistance between X and Y in
Circuit 4.
1 1 1
k) As: = +
𝑅𝑇 𝑅 𝑅𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
1 1 1
⇒ As 𝑅𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 ⟶ ∞, then ⟶ 0, and ⟶ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑇 ⟶ 𝑅
𝑅𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑇 𝑅
Page 260 Activity

Analysing the results from a wire potentiometer
1, 2 and 3 Anomalous results ignored in calculation of averages shown in blue
Length of wire, pd across wire, V, (V), ±0.01 V

l1, (m), ±0.002 m 1 2 3 Average Uncertainty
0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.100 0.60 0.80 0.61 0.61 0.01
0.200 1.20 1.04 1.02 1.03 0.01
0.300 1.80 1.87 1.86 1.84 0.04
0.400 2.40 2.37 2.46 2.41 0.05
0.500 3.00 2.84 2.97 2.99 0.02
0.600 3.60 3.52 3.56 3.56 0.04
0.700 4.20 4.19 4.37 4.20 0.01
0.800 4.80 4.77 4.84 4.80 0.04
0.900 5.40 5.48 5.24 5.60 0.02
6
potential difference, V, (V)
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
length, l, (m)
5 Refer to graph – yes, (0,0) should be a point, but it is not a definite one as there may be
systematic uncertainties in the equipment used.
6 Excel fits a best-fit line where V = 6.03 l.
7 The error bars can be used as a guide to fit the best-fit line. This line should go through the
majority of the spread of the data including the error bars.
8 If the voltmeter has a lower resistance, then the total resistance of the circuit will decrease,
increasing the total current drawn, and V decreases. The voltmeter will read a lower value than it
should.

𝑝𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 330 Ω
15 a) Ratio: 𝑝𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐷𝑅
= 𝑅𝐿𝐷𝑅
= 450 Ω = 0.73
𝑉 6.0 𝑉
b) 𝑉𝑅 = 𝑅𝑇 𝑅 = (330 Ω+450 Ω) × 330 Ω = 2.54 V = 2.5 V (2 sf)
𝑇
𝑝𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 330 Ω

c) Ratio: = = = 7.0 × 10-4
𝑝𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐷𝑅 𝑅𝐿𝐷𝑅 470 𝑘Ω
𝑉𝑇 6.0 𝑉
d) 𝑉𝑅 = 𝑅 = (330 × 330 Ω = 0.0 V (2 sf)
𝑅𝑇 Ω+470 𝑘Ω)
16 a)
𝑉
b) I =
𝑅𝑇
6.0 𝑉
=(
660 Ω+1500 Ω)
= 0.0027 A
c) V = IR
= 0.0027 A × 660 
= 1.83 V = 1.8 V (2 sf)
d) As temperature increases and resistance decreases, total current increases, so V increases:
6.0 𝑉
V = (660 × 660 Ω = 4.5 V
Ω+220 Ω)
e) P = I2R
= 0.42 × 220
= 35.2 W = 35 W (2 sf)
f) Thermistor will probably heat up and be destroyed, as the power loss will be so high.
Pages 264–269 Practice questions

1 A
2 A
3 C
4 B
5 C
6 B
7 A
8 C
9 A
10 C
11 a) Electromotive force (emf) is defined as the electrical work done per unit (coulomb) of charge
as it flows through a source of electrical energy such as a cell, generator or power supply unit
(psu). [1]
Internal resistance is the resistance inside a source of emf which leads to electrical energy
being transferred to heat inside the source of emf. [1]
b) 𝑉 = ℰ − 𝐼𝑟 [1]
𝑉 = 12 𝑉 − (500 𝐴 × 5.0 × 10−3 Ω) = 9.5 𝑉 [1]
12 a) As the two resistors in parallel have the same resistance,
800 Ω
𝑅𝑇 = 50 Ω + [1]
2
𝑅𝑇 = 450 Ω (or 500 Ω 1 sf) [1]

𝑉2
b) 𝑃 = 𝑅
⟹ 𝑉 = √𝑃𝑅 [1]
𝑃 = √(2.0 𝑊 × 800 Ω) = 40 𝑉 [1]

c) Current through 50  resistor = 2 × current through 800  resistor
𝑃 2.0 𝑊
Current through 800  resistor = √ = √ = 0.050 𝐴 [1]
𝑅 800 Ω
Current through 50  resistor = 0.10 A [1]

d) PD across 50  resistor = IR = 0.10 × 50 = 5 V
 EMF = 40 V + 5 V = 45 V [1]
13 a) As the two resistors in parallel have the same resistance,
5Ω
𝑅𝑇 = 5 Ω + 2
[1]
𝑅𝑇 = 7.5 Ω (or 8 Ω 1 sf) [1]

b) EMF of P and Q in parallel = 1.2 V
 Total EMF = 3 × 1.2 V = 3.6 V [1]
ℰ 3.6 𝑉
c) 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅 = 7.5 Ω = 0.48 𝐴 [1]
𝑇
⟹ 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑄 = 0.24 𝐴 [1]

d) Total charge through Q each second = current through Q [1]
= 0.24 C [1]
e) P and Q will supply electrical energy for the longest period of time. This is because the charge
flowing through P and Q per second is half the charge through R and S per second. [1]
To create the same emf as R and S, P and Q need only supply half the energy to each unit of
charge, and so will supply energy for longer. [1]
14 a) PD across 330  resistor = IR = 14.0 × 10-3 A × 330  [1]
PD across 330  resistor = 4.62 V = 4.6 V (2 sf) [1]
b) 𝑉1 𝑘 = ℰ − 𝑉330 = 12 𝑉 − 4.62 𝑉 [1]

𝑉1 𝑘 = 7.38 𝑉 = 7.4 𝑉 (2 𝑠𝑓) [1]
𝑉
c) 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑅𝑇 = 𝐼 [1]
𝑇
7.4 𝑉
𝑅𝑇 = 14.0 × 10−3 A = 530  [1]
1 1 1
d) 𝑅𝑇
=𝑅+𝑅 [1]
𝑇ℎ
1 1 1
- = [1]
530 1000 𝑅𝑇ℎ
RTh = 1130  [1]

e) As T increases, the resistance of the ntc thermistor drops and the total resistance of the circuit
also drops. [1]
1
As 𝐼 ∝ 𝑅 the current measured by the ammeter increases. [1]
15 a) 𝑅𝐴−𝐸 = 10 𝑘Ω + 10 𝑘Ω = 20 𝑘Ω [1]
𝑅𝐵−𝐹 = 5 𝑘Ω + 2.5 𝑘Ω = 7.5 𝑘Ω [1]
1 1 1
= +
𝑅𝑇 20 × 103 7.5 × 103
⟹ 𝑅𝑇 = 5454 Ω = 5500 Ω (2 sf) [1]

ℰ 6𝑉
b) 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅 = 5454 Ω = 1.1 × 10−3 𝐴 [1]
𝑇
c)
Position of the voltmeter pd, V, (V)

C-E 3
D-F 2
C-D 1
d) i) pd across A-E remains constant as the connections are directly across the battery [1], this
means the pd across C-E remains constant as well. [1]
ii) As the resistance of the thermistor decreases, the pd across D-F decreases [1] as VR. [1]
16 a) [1 mark for correct symbols; 1 mark for correct connection]
b) 𝑉𝐿𝐷𝑅 = ℰ − 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 [1]

𝑉𝐿𝐷𝑅 = 3.0 𝑉 − 0.80 𝑉 = 2.2 𝑉 [1]
𝑉
c) 𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅 [1]
𝑇
2.2 𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = 1500 Ω = 1.46 × 10−3 𝐴 = 1.5 × 10−3 𝐴 (2 𝑠𝑓)
𝑉
d) 𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝐼 [1]
𝑇
0.80 𝑉
𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 1.46 × 10−3 A = 547.9  = 550  (2 sf) [1]
e) As the resistance falls so the total current increases. [1]

This causes the pd across the fixed resistor to increase because VI. [1]
f) If the resistance of the voltmeter is the same as the fixed resistor, their combined resistance is
half the resistance of the fixed resistor. [1]
This means the total resistance of the circuit drops and the total current will increase. [1]
ℰ
17 a) 𝑅𝑇 = 𝐼 [1]
𝑇
12 𝑉
𝑅𝑇 = 2.2 A = 5.45  = 5.5  (2 sf) [1]
1
b) 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅 + ( 1 1 ) [1]
+
𝑅 2𝑅
2𝑅 2 5
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅 + 2𝑅 +𝑅 = 3 𝑅 = 5.45  [1]
⟹ R = 3.27  = 3.3  (2 sf) [1]

c) The pd across QR
𝑉𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = 𝐼𝑅𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = 2.2 𝐴 × (5.45  − 3.27  ) = 4.796 𝑉 = 4.8 𝑉 (2 𝑠𝑓) [1]
𝑉𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙
The current through Q and R, 𝐼𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = [1]
2𝑅
4.796 𝑉
𝐼𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = (2×3.27  ) = 0.73 𝐴 [1]
d) P = I2R = (2.2 A)2 × 3.27  [1]

P = 15.83 W = 16 W (2 sf) [1]
18 a) Pd across R2 is 12 V – 7.5 V = 4.5 V
𝑉 4.5 𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑅2 = 150 Ω = 0.030 𝐴 [1]
b) P = I2R [1]
P = (0.030)2 × 150  = 0.135 W = 0.14 W (2 sf) [1]
𝑉
c) 𝑅1 = [1]
𝐼
7.5 𝑉
𝑅1 = 0.030 𝐴 = 250  [1]
d) The room temperature resistance of the thermistor is likely to be much higher than 250 ohm
so the voltmeter across the fixed resistor will initially show a constant small reading. [1] As the
current flows, the thermistor gets hotter, its resistance decreases, and the reading on the
voltmeter begins to increase. It will be at a new constant value when the thermistor’s
temperature is again stable (when the rate at which it is converting electrical energy to heat
equals the rate at which the heat is being dissipated to the surroundings). [1]
19 a) Total resistance = sum of all resistors, 𝑅𝑇 = 120 𝑘Ω + 8.0 𝑘Ω + 42 𝑘Ω = 170 𝑘Ω [1]
ℰ 9.0 𝑉
Total current, 𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅 = 170×103 Ω = 5.29 × 10−5 𝐴 = 5.3 × 10−5 𝐴 (2 𝑠𝑓) [1]
𝑇
b) 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 5.29 × 10−5 𝐴 × 8.0 × 103 Ω [1]

𝑉 = 0.4232 𝑉 = 0.42 𝑉 (2 𝑠𝑓) [1]
c) As the resistance of the LDR drops, so the total current increases. [1]
This causes the pd across R to increase as VI. [1]
d) If pd across R is 0.90 V, then the current through R must be
𝑉 0.90 𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑅 = 8.0 ×103 Ω = 1.125 × 10−4 A.
Total resistance must therefore be

ℰ 9.0 𝑉
𝑅𝑇 = = = 80000 Ω [1]
𝐼 1.125×10−4 A
⟹ 𝑅𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 80000 Ω − 12000 Ω − 8000 Ω = 60 000 Ω [1]

20 a) [1 mark for correct symbols; 1 mark for correct connection]
𝑃 32
b) Current flowing through each bulb, 𝐼 = 𝑉 = 12 = 2.6 𝐴 [1]
⟹ 𝐼𝑇 = 2 × 2.6 𝐴 = 5.2 𝐴 [1]

𝑉2 𝑉2
c) 𝑃 = 𝑅
⟹𝑅= 𝑃
[1]
(12 𝑉)2
𝑅= = 4.5 Ω [1]
32 𝑊
d) If ammeter has a higher resistance, the total resistance of the circuit will increase, causing the
total current drawn from the battery to decrease. [1]
This reduces the current flowing through each bulb, reducing their power and brightness. [1]
12 𝑉
e) PD across each bulb in series = 2
= 6.0 𝑉
𝑉2 (6.0 𝑉)2
𝑃= 𝑅
= 4.5 
= 8.0 𝑊 [1]
Power is therefore ¼ of power in parallel – the bulbs will be substantially dimmer. [1]
f) If one bulb malfunctions, the other will still work, increasing safety. [1]
𝑃
21 a) Current flowing through X, 𝐼𝑋 = 𝑉𝑋 [1]
𝑋
36 𝑊
𝐼𝑋 = 12 𝑉
= 3.0 𝐴 [1]
𝑃 2.0 𝑊
Current flowing through Y, 𝐼𝑌 = 𝑉𝑌 = 4.5 𝑉
= 0.44 𝐴 [1]
𝑌
b) As pd across X = 12 V [1]
then pd across R1 = 24 V – 12 V = 12 V [1]
c) Current through R1 = 3.0 A + 0.4 A = 3.4 A [1]
𝑉 𝑅1 12 𝑉
d) 𝑅𝑅1 = 𝐼𝑅 1
= 3.4 𝐴 = 3.53 Ω = 3.5 Ω (2 sf) [1]
e) 𝑉𝑅2 = 12 𝑉 − 4.5 𝑉 = 7.5 𝑉 [1]

𝑉𝑅2
f) 𝑅2 = [1]
𝐼𝑅 2
7.5 𝑉
𝑅2 = 0.40 𝐴 = 18.75 Ω = 19 Ω (2 sf) [1]
g) Total resistance of circuit increases. Total current drawn decreases. [1]

PD across R1 decreases. [1]
h) The PD across R1 decreases, so the PD across X increases, [1] so bulb X gets brighter and might
blow. [1]
22 a) 𝑉 = ℰ − 𝐼𝑟, so as I increases Ir increases [1]
and ℰ − 𝐼𝑟 decreases [1]
b) ℰ = y-intercept of V-I graph =1.50 V [1]
(1.46−0.38)
−𝑟 is the gradient of V-I graph = (0.15−3.75) [1]
𝑟 = 0.30 Ω [1]
c) see graph below: same intercept [1]; gradient doubled [1]

d) see graph below: horizontal line [1]; same intercept [1]
Pages 269-273 Stretch and challenge questions

23 a) The circuit is equivalent the one shown below:
b) Resistance of 3 1 resistors in parallel = 1⁄3 Ω;

Resistance of 6 1 resistors in parallel = 1⁄6 Ω;
Total resistance = 1⁄3 + 1⁄6 + 1⁄3 Ω = 0.83 .
24 C
25 B
26 A
27 D
28 A
29 a) By considering AC:
R1 + R2 = 1.5 V / 37.5 mA
R1 + R2 = 40 Ω (1)
By considering BD:
R3 + R4 = 1.5 V / 25 mA
R3 + R4 = 60 Ω (2)
By considering AB:
R1 + R5 + R3 = 1.5 V / 30 mA
R1 + R5 + R3 = 50 Ω (3)
By considering CD:
R2 + R5 + R4 = 1.5 V / 15 mA
R2 + R5 + R4 = 100 Ω (4)
b) For R5: (3) + (4) gives:
R1 + R5 + R3 + R2 + R5 + R4 = 50 + 100 Ω
Substituting from (1) and (2) we obtain:
40 Ω + 60 Ω + 2 R5 = 150 Ω
So R5 = 25 Ω
c) With CD connected together, we have R2 + R4 in parallel with R5, 25 Ω
Substituting for R5 in (4) shows R2 + R4 = 75 Ω (5)
75 Ω in parallel with 25 Ω is 18.75 Ω
And this is in series with R1 + R3 which, from (3) is 50 Ω – 25 Ω = 25 Ω
R1 + R3 = 25 Ω (6)
So total resistance is 25 Ω +18.75 Ω = 44 Ω (2sf).
d) From above: R1 + R3 = 25 Ω and R2 + R4 = 75 Ω

So an intuitive guess that the fault is ¼ of the distance from A or C (15 metres).
More formally:
𝑅1 𝑅
𝑅2
= 𝑅3
4
Substituting for R3 in (6)

𝑅1𝑅4
𝑆𝑜 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
= 25
𝑅
𝑅1 (1 + 𝑅4 ) = 25
2
(5) can be rewritten as:

𝑅
𝑅2 (1 + 𝑅4 ) = 75
2
𝑅1 1 15 metres
𝑅2
= 3 = 45 metres
OR, similarly:
𝑅2 𝑅3
𝑅3 + 𝑅4
= 25 from (6)
𝑅
𝑅3 (1 + 𝑅2 ) = 25
4
and
𝑅
𝑅4 (1 + 𝑅2 ) = 75 from (5)
4
𝑅3 1 15 metres
𝑅4
= 3 = 45 metres
30 a) Current flows and power is converted/heat energy produced (in the thermistor).
Calculation P = V2/R = 25/120 = 0.2 W
This causes the temperature of the thermistor to rise and its resistance to fall.
Increased current flow so more heat energy produced.
Cycle continues until thermistor overheats/is destroyed.
b) 50 Ω, as the variation of Rth would be relative to (50 + 120) Ω: the change in potential is the
change in Rth relative to smallest total resistance.
c) 50 Ω is the smallest resistance and might be too little to prevent the “thermal runaway”
described in part (a)
31 a) 40 V.
B is at the same potential as X because no current flows along BX.
b) i) 200 – 40 = 160 V
(200 𝑉−40 𝑉) 160
ii) 𝑑
= 𝑑
𝑉𝑚 −1
c) 40 V
d) So that X is at the same potential and then the same current flows into the ground through R.
(300 𝑉−40 𝑉) 260
e) (50 −𝑑)𝑚
= (50 𝑉𝑚 −1
−𝑑)
f) i) Because the same currents flowed along AX and BX, so

𝑉 𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑅𝐴𝑋 = 𝑅𝐵𝑋 and R is proportional to length.
𝐴𝑋 𝐵𝑋
160 𝑚 260 𝑚
ii) 𝑑
= (50 𝑚−𝑑)
260𝑑 = 50 × 160 − 160𝑑

420d = 8000
d = 19 km (2sf)
𝑉
32 a) 𝑅 =
𝐼
⟹ 𝑃 = (𝐼 × 𝑅) × 𝐼 = 𝐼2 𝑅
𝑉 𝑉2
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃 = 𝑉 × ( ) =
𝑅 𝑅
b) A fixed voltage is applied to the heater, so P is inversely proportional to R meaning the student
is correct: a low R is needed.
𝑉2
c) Case 1: same pd across each wire, so 𝑅
implies smaller R for larger power, so copper glows
firest (because R is lower).
Case 2: same current through each wire, so 𝐼2 𝑅 implies larger R for a larger power, so iron
glows first (larger R).
d) From information in question: 𝐼 = 𝑘𝑉 4
So, for this material, P = VI = 𝑘𝑉 5
6 𝑊 = 𝑘 × (230 𝑉)5
⟹ 𝑘 = 9.3 × 10−12 𝑊𝑉 −5
So 𝑃1200 = 9.3 × 10−12 𝑊𝑉 −5 × (1200 𝑉)5 = 23 𝑘𝑊
1200 𝑉 5
Or 𝑃1200 = 6 𝑊 × ( 230 𝑉 ) = 23 𝑘𝑊

14 Electrical Circuits

Uploaded by

Document Informationclick to expand document information

Copyright:

Available Formats

14 Electrical Circuits

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

14 Electrical Circuits

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

14 Electrical circuits Answers

Page 245–246 Test yourself on prior knowledge

= 2030  = 2000  (1 sf)

Page 247 Test yourself

= 0.0789 A = 0.079 A (2 sf)

b) If V is doubled, P increases by a factor of 4.

Page 248 Activity

Current, I, (A), ± 0.01 A Power, P, (W)

4 R = V/I, which equals 25 , for each V-I combination.

Page 251–252 Test yourself

= 5670 C = 5700 C (2 sf)

Page 253–254 Required practical 6

4 ℰ = 0.884 𝑉 from graph (Excel plot and best-fit straight line).

The blue line yields ℰ = 0.910 V and r = 1458 .

Page 255 Test yourself

10 a) The current in bulb P is less than that in bulb Q.

Page 258 Test yourself

= 0.012 A = 0.01 A (1 sf)

Total resistance of circuit = 47 × 103 + 23.5 × 103

= 2.72 A = 2.7 A (2 sf)

Page 260 Activity

Length of wire, pd across wire, V, (V), ±0.01 V

6 Excel fits a best-fit line where V = 6.03 l.

Page 263 Test yourself

𝑝𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 330 Ω

Pages 264–269 Practice questions

𝑅𝑇 = 450 Ω (or 500 Ω 1 sf) [1]

𝑃 = √(2.0 𝑊 × 800 Ω) = 40 𝑉 [1]

Current through 50  resistor = 0.10 A [1]

𝑅𝑇 = 7.5 Ω (or 8 Ω 1 sf) [1]

⟹ 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑄 = 0.24 𝐴 [1]

b) 𝑉1 𝑘 = ℰ − 𝑉330 = 12 𝑉 − 4.62 𝑉 [1]

RTh = 1130  [1]

⟹ 𝑅𝑇 = 5454 Ω = 5500 Ω (2 sf) [1]

Position of the voltmeter pd, V, (V)

b) 𝑉𝐿𝐷𝑅 = ℰ − 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 [1]

e) As the resistance falls so the total current increases. [1]

⟹ R = 3.27  = 3.3  (2 sf) [1]

d) P = I2R = (2.2 A)2 × 3.27  [1]

b) 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 5.29 × 10−5 𝐴 × 8.0 × 103 Ω [1]

Total resistance must therefore be

⟹ 𝑅𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 80000 Ω − 12000 Ω − 8000 Ω = 60 000 Ω [1]

⟹ 𝐼𝑇 = 2 × 2.6 𝐴 = 5.2 𝐴 [1]

e) 𝑉𝑅2 = 12 𝑉 − 4.5 𝑉 = 7.5 𝑉 [1]

g) Total resistance of circuit increases. Total current drawn decreases. [1]

c) see graph below: same intercept [1]; gradient doubled [1]

Pages 269-273 Stretch and challenge questions

b) Resistance of 3 1 resistors in parallel = 1⁄3 Ω;

d) From above: R1 + R3 = 25 Ω and R2 + R4 = 75 Ω

Substituting for R3 in (6)

(5) can be rewritten as:

f) i) Because the same currents flowed along AX and BX, so

260𝑑 = 50 × 160 − 160𝑑

You might also like