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Digital electronics (extended

Level IGCSE
Subject Physics
ExamBoard CIE
Topic Electricity and Magnetism
Sub-Topic Digital electronics (extended candidates)
Paper Type (Extended) Theory Paper
Booklet Question Paper 4

Time Allowed: 51 minutes

Score: /42

Percentage: /100
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1 Fig. 10.1 shows a circuit based on a transistor and a thermistor.

power
R2 supply

R1

Fig. 10.1

(a) Describe the action of the thermistor in this circuit.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) State and explain how the circuit may be modified so that the lamp switches on at a
different temperature.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State one practical use of this circuit.

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total :6]
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2 (a) Fig. 10.1 shows an AND gate with two inputs A and B and one output.

A
output

Fig. 10.1

State the output when

(i) A is high and B is low,

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) both A and B are low.

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(b) An electrical thermometer in a greenhouse gives a low output if the temperature is too
low.

A humidity sensor in the same greenhouse gives a high output if the humidity in the
greenhouse is too high.

An alarm sounds when both the temperature is too low and the humidity is too high.

(i) Complete the diagram below to show how a NOT gate and an AND gate may be
used to provide the required output to the alarm. [2]

electrical thermometer

alarm

humidity sensor

(ii) On your diagram, use either ‘high’ or ‘low’ to indicate the level of the inputs and
outputs of both gates when the alarm sounds. [2]

[Total: 6]
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3 Fig. 10.1 shows a circuit that is used to switch on a lamp automatically when it starts to go
dark.

D
A

+
V
–
C
B

Fig. 10.1

(a) Write down the names of the components labelled A, B, C and D.

A ........................................... B ...........................................

C ........................................... D ........................................... [2]

(b) Which of the four components A, B, C or D acts as a switch?

........................[1]

(c) Explain why the lamp comes on as it goes dark.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[3]

[ Total : 6 ]
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4 (a) Fig. 9.1 shows an a.c. supply connected to a resistor and a diode.

resistor
a.c. supply output

Fig. 9.1

(i) State the effect of fitting the diode in the circuit.

...................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) On Fig. 9.2, sketch graphs to show the variation of the a.c. supply voltage and the
output voltage with time.

a.c. supply
voltage
0
time

output
voltage
0
time

Fig. 9.2
[2]

(b) (i) In the space below, draw the symbol for a NOT gate.

[1]

(ii) State the action of a NOT gate.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

[ Total : 6 ]
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5 (a) In the space provided, draw the symbol for a NOR gate. Label the inputs and the output.

[2]

(b) State whether the output of a NOR gate will be high (ON) or low (OFF) when

(i) one input is high and one input is low,

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) both inputs are high.

...................................................................................................................................
[1]

(c) Fig. 9.1 shows a digital circuit made from three NOT gates and one NAND gate.

HIGH

LOW

Fig. 9.1

(i) Write HIGH or LOW in each of the boxes on Fig. 9.1. [2]

(ii) State the effect on the output of changing both of the inputs.

...................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

[ Total : 6 ]
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6 (a) Fig. 10.1 shows the faces of two ammeters. One has an analogue display and the other
a digital display.

2 3
1 A 4
A
0

5
Fig. 10.1

State what is meant by the terms analogue and digital.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) (i) Name the components from which logic gates are made.

...............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) In the space below, draw the symbol for an AND gate.
Label the inputs and the output. [1]

(iii) Describe the action of an AND gate with two inputs. [2]

[ Total : 6 ]
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7 (a) (i) What is the function of a transistor when placed in an electrical circuit?

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) Describe the action of a transistor.

...................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) (i) In the space below, draw the symbol for an OR gate. Label the inputs and the output.
[1]

(ii) Describe the action of an OR gate that has two inputs.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................[2]

[Total : 6 ]