M1.

(a)

forward bias:
zero current rising gradually (1)
sharp increase at ≈ 0.7 V (1)

reverse bias:
zero or slightly less than zero current (1)

sharp negative increase at breakdown (1)

breakdown value >50 V indicated (1)
4

(b) forward bias: high resistance (initially gives small current) (1)
at ≈ 0.7 V, resistance decreases rapidly (current increases) (1)

reverse bias: high resistance (gives ≈ zero or slightly negative current) (1)
at breakdown, resistance ≈ zero (and very large current) (1)
3

The Quality of Written Communication marks are awarded for the quality of answers
to this question.
[7]

M2. (a) only 30 Ω in the circuit (1)

(use of V = IR gives) 6 = I × 30 and I = 0.20 A (1)
2

(b) two resistors in parallel gives

and R = 20 (Ω) (1)

total resistance = 20 + 30 = 50 (Ω) (1)

(allow C.E. for value of R)

I= = 0.12 A (1) (allow C.E for total resistance)

4
[6]

Page 1 of 23
M3. (a) VR = (3.0 – 2.0) = 1.(0) (V) (1)

R= = 100 Ω (1)

(b) (use of P = IV gives) Pdiode (= 10 × 10–3 × 2.0) = 0.02(0) W (1)

(c) (use of c = fλ gives) ) = (4.7 × 1014Hz) (1)

(use of E = hf gives) E (= 6.63 × 10–34 × 4.7 × 1014) = 3.1 × 10–19 J (1)

(allow C.E. for A.E. in value of f)

(d) energy supplied in 1 sec = 0.02(0) (J) (1)

(allow C.E. for value of P from (ii))

number of photons emitted in 1 sec = = 6.5 × 1016 (1)

(allow C.E. for value of E)

(e) all the energy supplied converted to light energy [or 100% efficient]
[or monochromatic light]
[or all photons (emitted by LED) have the same energy] (1)
[8]

M4. (a) (i)

(1) battery, wire, (variable resistor) and ammeter in series

(1) voltmeter connected across wire

(ii) (α) (with switch closed) measure I and V (1)

move contact along the wire (1) (or length of wire changed)
measure new (I and) V (1)
measure l each time (1)

or (β) measure I and V (1)

change variable resistor (1)
measure new I and V (1)
l known (1)

Page 2 of 23
 (iii)

(α) obtain gradient of graph of V or R vs l (1)

A (and I) known, hence ρ (1)

or (β) gradient of graph of V vs I (1)

A and l known, hence ρ (1)

[or, for both methods, measure R = for each length (1)

take mean and hence ρ (1)

9

(b) (use of V = IR gives) R = (1) ( = 120 × 103 (Ω))

(allow C.E. for value of R)

= 5.1 × 105 Ω m (1)
3

(c) four resistors in series (1)

R = 4 × (120 × 103) = 4.8 × 105Ω (1)
(allow C.E. for value of R)
2
[14]

M5. (a) Ohm’s law obeyed (or straight line graph) initially (1)
at a given voltage) current heats filament (to certain temperature) (1)
resistance constant at that temperature (1)
increase in voltage gives increase in current (1)
temperature of filament increases and resistance increases (1)
rate of increase of current less than if resistance was constant (1)
negative voltage and current produces same effect (1)
5

(b) P = I2R (1)

20 = (90 × 10-3)2 R and R = 2.5 × 103Ω (1) (2470 Ω)
2
[7]

Page 3 of 23
M6. (a) (i) (use of V = IR gives) V = I(R1 + R2) (1)

= 50 mA ✓

(ii) Vout (= IR2) = 0.05 × 60 = 3 V (1)

(allow C.E. for value of I from (i))
4

(b) (temperature increases, resistance decreases), total resistance decreases (1)

current increases (1)
voltage across R2 increases (1)
[or R2 has increased share of (total) resistance (1)
new current is same in both resistors (1) larger share of the 9 V (1)]

[or Vout = Vin (1) R1 decreases (1) Vout decreases (1)]

3
[7]

M7. (a) circuit diagram to show:

ammeter in series, voltmeter in parallel (1)
variable source (e.g. battery + rheostat or potential divider) (1)
2

(b) (i) RX = = 56 Ω (1)

(ii) RX = (e.g.) = 23 (Ω) (1)

RX depends on current (or voltage) non-ohmic

3

(c) (i)
col C col D
0.15 2.53
0.20 2.83
0.25 3.09
0.30 3.37
0.35 3.66
0.40 3.94

four pairs of values correct (1)

all six pairs correct and col D to no more than 4 s.f (1)

(ii) axes labelled (1)

suitable scales chosen (1)
at least five points plotted correctly (1)
acceptable straight line (1)

Page 4 of 23
 (iii) k = gradient (1)

gradient = = 5.7 (V–1) (1)

intercept on y-axis =ln A (1)

(intercept = 1.68 gives) A = e1.68 = 5.4 (mA) (1)

unit for k or A correct (1)

(iv) the points define a straight line (1)

valid over given range (1)
max 10
[15]

M8. (a)

straight line in both quadrants,

through origin for A and B (1)
greater gradient for B (1)
2

(b)

characteristic to show:
positive current increasing slowly and then rapidly (1)
at ≈ 0.6V (1)
negative current either zero or just < zero (1)
3

(c) as voltage increases, current increases (1)

current heats filament (1)
therefore resistance increases (1)
correct argument to explain curvature(1)
mirror image in negative quadrant (1)
max 4
[9]

Page 5 of 23
M9. (a) R= (1)

= 0.031 Ω (1) (0.0305 Ω)

2

(b) constant volume gives l1A1 = l2A2

[or l2 = 2l1 and A2 = A1/2] (1)

R= =4R (1)

[or calculation with l2 = 2.8 (m) and A2 = 3.9 (m2) (1)]

gives R = 0.124 Ω (1)]

2
[4]

M10. (a) first pair in parallel (1)

= = gives R’ = 20 (Ω) (1)

second pair in parallel gives R” = 30(Ω) (1)

resistance between A and B = 20 + 30 (1) (= 50 Ω)

(allow C.E. for values of R’ and R")

4

(b) (i) total resistance = 50 + 50 = 100 Ω (1)

(V = IR gives) 24 = I 100 and I = 0.24 A (1)

(ii) current in 60 Ω = I (1)

= 0.080 (A) (1)
[or alternative method]
(allow C.E. for value of I from (b)(i))
4
[8]

Page 6 of 23
M11. (a) (i) (in 1 s), E = 0.045 × 4200 × (47 – 15) (1)
= 6050 J

(ii) P = 6.0 kW (1)

3

(b) (i) (use of P = VI gives) I = = 26 A (1) (26.3 A)

(allow C.E. for value of P from (a))

(ii) radius = 1.2 × 10-3 (m) (1)

cross-sectional area = π(1.2 × 10-3)2 (or 4.5 × 10-6(m2)) (1)

(1)

= (1)

= 3.8 × 10-3 Ω m -1

(allow C.E. for value of A)

(iii) = 0.1 (V m–1) (per wire)

two wires per cable gives pd per metre = 2 × 0.1 (1)

(= 0.20 V m–1) (1)

(iv) maximum length = = 30 m (1)

9
[12]

M12. (a) (i) (use of P = VI gives) P (= 2.4 × 20) = 48 W (1)

(ii) incident (solar) power (= 1.4 × 2.5) = 3.5 (kW) (1)

efficiency = (1)

= 0.014 (1) (or 1.4%)

(allow C.E. for incorrect values of input and output power)

4

(b) (i) in 1 s source emits 1.1 × 1014 particles (1)

energy emitted in 1 s = 1.1 × 1014 × 5.1 × 1.6 × 10–13 (J) (1) (= 90 J)

Page 7 of 23
 (ii) T1/2 = + correct use or λ = (1)

= 2.44 × 10–10 s –1 (1)

[or λ = = 7.7 × 10–3 yr–1]

(iii)

(allow C.E. for incorrect value of λ in (ii))

mass of isotope = (1)

= 0.18 kg (1)
(allow C.E. for incorrect no. of nuclei)
7
[11]

M13. (a) (i) pd across resistor (= 3.0 – 2.2) = 0.8 (V) (1)

(use of V = IR gives) R = = 23 Ω (1) (22.9 Ω)

(ii) charge flow in 1 s = 0.035 (C) (1)

no. of electrons (in 1 s) = 2.2 × 1017 (1) (2.19 × 1017)

4

(b) (i) (use of E = hf = gives) E = (1)

= 3.1(3) × 10–19 J (1)

(ii) (use of P = VI gives) P (= 2.2 × 0.035) = 0.077 (W)

[or use of P = I2R with R = 63 (Ω)]

maximum no. of photons emitted per sec. =

= 2.5 × 1017 (1) (2.48 × 1017)

(allow C.E. for value of E from (i) and value of P from (ii))
4
[8]

Page 8 of 23
M14. (a) V– = 12 × (1)

= 7.8 V (1)
2

(b) (i) between Vout and 0 V (1)

(or from +12 V to Vout)
correct direction and resistor (1)

(ii) (since Vin < switching voltage) Vout = – 12 V (12 V across LED) (1)
(or alternative)

(iii) voltage across R = (12 - 2) = 10 (V) (1)

10 = 25 × 10-3 × R gives R = 400 Ω (1)
(or alternatively 22 = 25 × 10-3 to give R = 880 Ω)
5

(c) to switch LED voltage at B = 7.8 (V) (1)

RLDR given by 7.8 = or

RLDR = 25.(3) kΩ
light level = 30 lux (1)
max 3
[10]

M15. (a) (i) for X: (P = VI gives) 24 = 12I and I = 2 A (1)

for Y 18 = 6I and I = 3 A (1)
2

(b) (i) 12 V (1)

(ii) voltage across R2 (= 12 – 6) = 6 (V) (1)

I = 3 (A) (1)
(V = IR gives) 6 = 3R2 and R2 = 2Ω (1)
(allow C.E. for I and V from (a) and (b)(i))

[or V = I(Ry + R2) (1) 12 = 3(2 + R2) (1) R2 = 2Ω (1)]

(iii) current = 2 (A) + 3 (A) = 5 A (1)

(allow C.E. for values of the currents)

(iv) 27 (V)– 12 (V) = 15 V across R1 (1)

(v) for R1, 15 = 5 R1 and R1 = 3Ω (1)

(allow C.E. for values of I and V from (iii) and (iv)
7
[9]

Page 9 of 23
M16. (i) (V = IR gives) 12 = (30 + 30 + 2)I (1)

I= = 0.19 A (1) (0.194 A)

(ii) VPQ = 12 – (0.19 × 2) (1)

= 11.6 V (1)

(allow C.E. for incorrect I in (i))

[or VPQ = 0.19 × 60 = 11.6 V] (I = 0.194 A gives 11.6 V)

[or VPQ = 12 × = 11.6 V

(iii) (PA = I2R gives) PA = (0.19)2 × 30 = 1.08 (1) W (1)

[or PA = ]

(allow C.E. for incorrect I in (i) or incorrect V in (ii))

(iv) (E = PAt gives) E = 1.08 × 20 (1)

= 21.6 J (1)

(allow C.E. for incorrect PA in (iii))

[8]

M17. (a) between A and C: (each) series resistance = 100Ω (1)

(parallel resistors give) + = gives RAC = 50Ω (1)

2

(allow C.E. for incorrect series resistance)

(b) between A and B: series resistance = 150Ω (1)

parallel = (1)

(allow C.E. for series resistance)

RAB = 37.5Ω (1) (38Ω)

3
[5]

Page 10 of 23
M18. (a) (i) (use of E = Pt gives) E = 3000 × 320 = 960 kJ (1)

(ii) (use of Q = mcΔθ gives) Q = 2.4 × 4200 (100 - 16) (1)

= 850 kJ (1)

(iii) energy needed to heat the kettle material (1)

[or heat loss to surroundings]
4

(b) (i) (use of I = gives) I= = 13 (A) (1)

(use of V = IR gives) R = 18 Ω (1) (17.7 Ω)

(allow C.E. for value of I)

[or correct use of R = to give correct R]

(ii) A=π (m 2) (1) (= 3.32 ×10–7(m2))

(use of ρ = gives) (1)

= 2.3 × 10-5 Ω m (1) (2.35 × 10-5 Ωm)

(use of R = 18 Ω gives ρ = 2.4 × 10-5 Ω m)
(allow C.E. for value of R from (i) and value of A)
5
[9]

M19. (a) (i) energy changed to electrical energy per unit charge/coulomb
passing through
[or electrical energy produced per coulomb or unit charge]
[or pd when no current passes through/or open circuit] (1)

(ii) I= = 2.5 A (1)

(iii) (use of = I(R + r) gives) = V + Ir and 8 = 6 + Ir (1)

substitution gives 8 – 6 = 2.5r (1) (and r = 0.8 Ω)

4

(b) (i) (use of P = I2R gives) PR = 2.52 × 2.4 = 15 W

[or P = VI gives P = 6 × 2.5 = 15 W] (1)

(allow C.E. for value of I from (a))

Page 11 of 23
 (ii) PT = 15 + (2.52 × 0.8) (1)

= 20 (W) (1)

(allow C.E. for values of PR and I)

(iii) E = 5 × 2 × 60 = 600 J (1)

(allow C.E. for value of P from (i) and PT from (ii))

4
[8]

M20. (a) (i) 5 V (1)

(ii) RT = 36 (Ω)
(use of V = IR gives) 15 = I × 36 and I = 0.42 A (1)
3

(b) (i) equivalent resistance of the two lamps (1)

RT = 6 + 12 = 18 (Ω) and 15 = I × 18 (1) (to give I = 0.83 A)

(ii) current divides equally between lamps (to give I = 0.42 A)

(or equivalent statement) (1)
3

(c) same brightness (1)

(because) same current (1)
2
[8]

M21. (a) (i) at 25 (°C), total resistance = 300 + 200 = 500 (Ω) (1)

I= = 24 mA (1)

(allow C.E. for value of total resistance)

(ii) pd across thermistor = 24 × 10–3 × 300 = 7.2 V (1)

(allow C.E. for value of current from (i) and Rth from graph)
3

Page 12 of 23
 (b) as temperature increases, resistance (of thermistor) decreases (1)
total resistance decreases (1)
current in circuit increases (1)
pd across resistor increases (1)
(since battery remains at 12 V) pd across thermistor decreases (1)
[or Rth decreases (1)
potential divider situation (1)

Vth = 12 × (1)

denominator decreases less slowly than numerator (1)

Vth decreases (1)
or for last two marks, thermistor gets smaller share of voltage
explanation of this]
(max 3)
QWC 1

(c) (i) (use of P = gives) at 25°C P= = 0.48 W (1)

at 45°C correct reading of R = 30 (Ω) (1)

P= = 4.8 (W) (1)

(ii) E = Pt = 2.64 × 10 × 60 (1)

= 1.6 × 103 J (1)
(allow C.E. from part (i)

(iii) rate of decrease of resistance is not linear

[or resistance not directly proportional to temperature] (1)
6
[12]

M22. (a) V = –Ir + (1)

1

(b) straight line (within 1st quadrant) (1)

negative gradient (1)
2

(c) : intercept on voltage axis (1)

r: gradient (1)
2
[5]

Page 13 of 23
M23. (a) (i) (1)

R= = 13 Ω (1) (13.3)

(ii) two resistors in parallel give 20 (Ω) (1)

R = 20 + 40 = 60 (Ω) (1)
max 3

(b) (i) three resistors in parallel give (= 2 (Ω))

and total resistance = 4 (Ω) (1)

total current = = 3 (A) (1)

(allow C.E. for value of total resistance)

current in each element 1.0 A (1)

(allow C.E. for value of total current)

[or 6 V across each set

resistance of each set = 2 Ω, gives current through
each set = 3 (A)
current in each element = 1.0 A]
[or 6 V across each set/resistor,
resistance of one resistor = 6 Ω,
gives current in each element = 1.0 A]

(ii) six resistors in series gives R = 36 (Ω) and I = = 0.3 (A) (1)

heating effect (I2R) much reduced [or less power] (1)

5
[8]

M24. (a) (i) (use of ΔQ = mcΔθ gives) Q = 30 × 1000 × 15 (1)

5
= 4.5 × 10 J (1)

(ii) P × t = 4.5 × 105 (1)

t= = 225 s (1)

(allow C.E. for value of Q from (i)

4

Page 14 of 23
 (b) heat is lost to surroundings or other objects in room or to
heater itself (1)
more (thermal) energy required from heater (1)

[or because convection currents cause uneven heating]

[or rate of heat transfer decreases as temperature increases]
2
[6]

M25. (a) circuit diagram to show:

wide end of conducting strip to – of battery, narrow end to + (1)
voltmeter between wide end and probe (1)
2

(b) resistance gradient increases as x increases (1)

because strip becomes narrower (as x increases) (1)
current constant throughout strip (1)
voltage gradient = current × resistance gradient, so
voltage gradient increases as x increases (1)
4

(c) (i)
(2l – x ) ln (2l – x )
(0.700) (–0.357)
0.60(0) –0.511
0.53(0) –0.635
0.47(0) –0.755
0.44(0) –0.821
0.42(0) –0.868

1st column correct to 2 s.f. (1)

2nd column correct to 3.s.f. (1) (1)
(only 4 values correct, (1))

(ii) suitable scales (1)

axes labelled and units included (1)
5 points correctly plotted (1)
acceptable straight line (1)
straight line confirms equation because equation is of form
y = mx + c with negative gradient (1)

Page 15 of 23
 (iii) gradient = (–) = (–) 15.4 (V) (1)

1.44 V1 = 15.4 gives V1 = 11 V (1) (10.7 ± 0.2 V)

[alternative: V = V1 when x = l and ln (2l – x ) (= ln 0.4) = 0.92 (1)
at ln (2l – x ) = 0.92, graph gives V1 = 11 V (1) (10.7 ± 0.2 V)]
10
[16]

M26. (a) R= (1)

ρ is resistivity, l is the length of the wire, A is the cross-sectional area (1)

2

(b) (i) P= (1)

R= = 106(Ω)(1) (105.8 Ω)

l= = = 7.7 m (1) (7.69 m)

(allow C.E. for incorrect value of R )

(ii) in series, voltage across each < 230 V or pd shared (1)

power (= V2/R) is less than 500 W in each (1)

in parallel, voltage across each = 230 V (1)

correct rating, conclusion (1)

[or, in series, high resistance or combined resistance (1)

low current (1)

in parallel, resistance is lower, higher current (1)

more power, justified (1)]

max 6
[8]

Page 16 of 23
M27. (a) at 200 °C : RR = 130 ± 1 (Ω), RTh = 18 ± 1Ω (1)
1

(b) (i) VAB = Vin (1)

= 12 × (1)

= 1.5 V (1) (1.46 V)

(allow C.E. for values from (a))

(ii) Rth = RR occurs at 50 °C (1) 4

(c) (i) (use of P = gives) Rb = = 18 Ω (1)

[or use of P = VI and calculate I]

(ii) (S open, RTh ≈ 90 Ω)

bulb and thermistor in parallel (1)
gives lower resistance than thermistor on its own (1)
total resistance in circuit decreases (1)
current increases VR > 6 V (1)
(hence Vth < 6 V i.e. decreases)
[or use of potentiometer equation, or ratio of resistances and
share of pd]
max 4
[9]

M28. (a) (i) (total) resistance = (20 + 60) (Ω) (1)

(V = IR gives) I = = 0 075 A (1)

(ii) with S closed, (effective) resistance = 20 (Ω) (1)

I= =0.3 A (1)
max 3

Page 17 of 23
 (b) use of same current as in part (i) (1)
voltmeter reading = 0.075 × 60 = 4.5 V (1)

[or use potentiometer equation 6 × = 4.5 V]

(allow C.E. for value of I from (a)(i)
2
[5]

M29. (a) specific to anode element/target atoms/material (1)

energy level transition (1)
2

(b) new curve to show:

entire curve has more intensity (1)
stops at 90 kV (1)
spikes in same position (1)
3

(c) % into heat = (100 – 0.70) = 99.3 (1)

rate of heat produced = × 80 × 103 × 120 × 10–3 (1)

= 9.5 kW (1) (9.53 kW)

3
[8]

M30. (a) (i) three resistors in series (1)

(ii) R = 3.0 + 4.0 + 6.0 = 13 Ω (1)

(iii) three resistors in parallel (1)

(iv) (1)

R = 1.3 Ω (1)
5

(b) (i) two resistors in parallel give and R’ = 2.0 (Ω) (1)

total resistance = (2 + 4) = 6.0 Ω (1)

4

Page 18 of 23
 (ii) divide the emf in the ratio of 2 : 4 (1)
to give 4.0 V (1)
[or any suitable method]
[9]

M31. (a) (i) no of bulbs = = 46 (1)

(ii) (use of P = VI gives) I = = 0.080 A (1)

(iii) resistance of each bulb = = 63 Ω (62.5 Ω)

(allow C.E. for number of bulbs and value of I)

[or R = 62.5 Ω

or = 62.5 Ω]
5

(iv) energy consumed by the set = 0.4 × 46 × (2 × 60 × 60) (1)

= 132 kJ (1)
(allow C.E. for number of bulbs from (i))

(b) (i) no of bulbs = 56, gives total resistance = 62.5 × 56 (Ω) (= 3500) (1)

I= = 0.066 A (1) (0.0657 A)

(use of 63 Ω gives 0.065 A)

(allow C.E. for no. of bulbs in (a) (i) and R in (a) (iii))

(ii) bulbs would shine less bright (1)

3
[8]

Page 19 of 23
M32. (a) (i) electrical energy produced (in the battery) per unit charge (1)

[or potential/voltage across terminals when there is no current]

(ii) there is a current (through the battery) (1)

voltage ‘lost’ across the internal resistance (1)

Max 2

(b) (i) = V + Ir (1)

(ii) labelled scales (1)

correct plotting (1)
best straight line (1)
: intercept on y axis (1) = 9.2 (± 0.1) V (1)

r : (−) gradient = = 14.2 Ω (1) (range 14.0 to 14.3)

8
[10]

M33. (a) (i) circuit diagram to show:

wire, ammeter, battery, (variable resistor) and switch in series (1)
[or potentiometer with ammeter in correct position]
voltmeter across the wire (1)

(ii) (method: constant length of wire)

measure length (of wire) (1)
measure diameter (of wire) (1)
measure voltage (across) and current (through wire) (1)
vary resistor to obtain different voltage and current (1)
alternative
[(method: variable length of wire)
measure length (each time) (1)
measure diameter (1)
(for full length of wire) measure voltage and current (1)
voltmeter to shorter lengths, measure voltage (and current) (1)]

Page 20 of 23
 (iii) (use of) ρ = (to calculate ρ) (1) (for either method)

calculate A from (πr2) (1) (for either method)

(method: constant length of wire)

determine for (one) length (1)

repeat readings (for same length and) take mean of ρ or R (1)

[or plot graph of V vs I to give mean R (1)

or gradien = (1)]
alternative
[(method: variable length of wire)

determine for each length (1)

calculate ρ for each length and take mean (1)

[or graph of R vs l (1) with correct gradient (1)]
10

(b) (use of gives) (1)

l = 0.035 m (1)
2
[12]

M34. (a) (1)

∆Q = 0.25 × 6 × 60 = 90 C (1)
2

Page 21 of 23
 (b) (i) (1) [or E = VIt]

(1)

(ii) (use of gives) (1)

[or P = IV gives P = 0.25 × 5 = 1.2(5) W]

(allow C.E. in alternative method for value of V from (i))
3
[5]

M35. (a) (1)

∆Q = 0.25 × 6 × 60 = 90 C (1)
2

(b) (i) (1) [or E = VIt]

(1)

(ii) (use of gives) (1)

[or P = IV gives P = 0.25 × 5 = 1.2(5) W]

(allow C.E. in alternative method for value of V from (i))
3
[5]

Page 22 of 23
Page 23 of 23