CIE A Level Physics

Topic Questions

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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10.2 DC: Potential Dividers

1a
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2 marks

Sketch the circuits symbols for 

(i)
the potentiometer
[1]
(ii)
the galvanometer
[1]
1b
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3 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a circuit with a potentiometer.

10-2-1-b-e-abc-potentiometer
Fig. 1.1

Fixed ends AC are connected across the battery so that there is a full battery voltage across the whole resistor.

State the voltage output, Vout when the sliding connect is at

(i)
A
[1]
(ii)
B
[1]
(iii)
C
[1]
1c
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2 marks

The resistor is now replaced with a uniform resistance wire connected between ends AC, as shown in Fig. 1.2a. The 28 V cell is replaced with a cell of unknown e.m.f.

 
10-2-1c-e-wire-potentiometer
Fig. 1.2a

Sketch a graph of Fig 1.2b to show the voltmeter reading V against length l as the jockey is moved from point A to point C.

 
10-2-1c-e-voltage-length-graph
Fig 1.2b
1d
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4 marks

A potentiometer can be used to compare e.m.fs of cells or potential differences. 

A test cell is added to the circuit in Fig. 1.2a. A student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 1.3.

 
10-2-1d-e-testing-two-e-mf-
Fig. 1.3
(i)
State why the student will not be able to find a point where the current is zero.
[1]
 
(ii)
The student fixes the issue from (a)(i) and achieves a balance point when the length of the wire AB is 25.6 cm.
 
They repeat the experiment with a standard cell of e.m.f 1.545 V. The balance point using this cell is 37.2 cm.
 
Calculate the e.m.f of the test cell.
[3]

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2a
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2 marks

Fig 1.1 shows a potential divider circuit containing a fixed resistor and thermistor.

 
10-2-2a-e-thermistor-potential-divider
Fig 1.1
 

Explains what happens as the temperature increases.

2b
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1 mark

The thermistor is now replaced with an LDR and the output voltage is now taken from the LDR, as shown in Fig. 1.2a.

10-2-2b-e-ldr-potential-divider-circuit
Fig. 1.2a
 

Using Fig. 1.2b, determine the resistance of the LDR when the light intensity is 120 lux.

10-2-2b-e-light-intensity-graph
Fig. 1.2b
2c
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3 marks

Using your answer to part (b), calculate Vout when the light intensity is 120 lux.

2d
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2 marks

Using your answer to part (c), determine the voltage across the 6.0 kΩ resistor at a light intensity of 120 lux.

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3a
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4 marks

A variable resistor is used to control the circuit shown in Fig. 1.1.

 
10-2-3a-e-variable-resistor-circuit
Fig. 1.1
 

The variable resistor is connected in series with a 16 V power supply of negligible internal resistance, an ammeter and an 8.0 Ω resistor.

 

The resistance R of the variable resistor can be varied between 0 to 12 Ω.

 

Calculate

(i)
the minimum possible current
[2]
(ii)
the maximum possible current
[2]
3b
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2 marks

On Fig 1.2, sketch the variation with R of current in the circuit.

10-2-3b-e-current-resistance-graph
Fig. 1.2
3c
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2 marks

Galvanometers are used in null methods. 

Explain how a galvanometer is used in null methods.

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1a
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2 marks

A battery is connected in series with resistors P and Q, as shown in Fig 1.1.

10-2-1a-m-potential-divider-circuit-1

The resistance of P is 7.5 Ω. The resistance of Q is constant. A variable resistor of resistance R is connected in parallel with Q.

The current I from the battery is changed by varying R from 5 Ω to 20 Ω. The variation with R of I is shown in Fig 1.2.

10-2-1a-m-variation-of-r-with-i

Use Fig 1.2 to state and explain the variation of the p.d. across resistor P as R is decreased. Numerical values are not required.

1b
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2 marks

For R = 7.0 Ω, calculate the p.d. between points Y and Z.

1c
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3 marks

Show that the resistance of Q is 95 Ω.

1d
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1 mark

State and explain qualitatively how the power provided by the battery changes as the resistance R is decreased.

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2a
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2 marks
Fig 1.1 shows a potential divider circuit with a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 24.0 V connected to two resistors R1 and R2.
10-2-2a-m-potential-divider-circuit-2
Fig 1.1

When the resistance of R1 is 6.5 Ω, the voltage across it is 7.0 V.

Show that the resistance of R2 is 16 Ω.

2b
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1 mark

The resistors are replaced with identical filament lamps A and B and the battery is connected in parallel to a linear potentiometer XY, as shown in Fig 1.2.

iNio3slw_10-2-2b-m-potential-divider-circuit-3

Fig 1.2

The lamps each have the same I–V characteristic shown in Fig. 1.3.

10-2-2b-i-v-characteristic

Fig 1.3

When the slider of the potentiometer is at its midpoint, as shown in Fig. 1.2, the current I in the battery is 4.12 A.

Determine the current in lamp B.

2c
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3 marks

Calculate the total resistance in the circuit.

2d
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2 marks

The slider of the potentiometer in (c) is moved to end X. State and explain the effect on the current of lamps A and B.

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3a
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2 marks

A battery of negligible internal resistance is connected to a thermistor, a switch X and two fixed resistors, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

10-2-3a-m-potential-divider-circuit-ldr
Fig 1.1
 
Resistor R1 has resistance 8.0 kΩ and resistor R2 has resistance 12.0 kΩ. When switch X is open, the potential difference across R2 is 18 V. 
Show that the e.m.f of the battery is 30 V.
3b
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3 marks

Switch X is now closed. The current in the battery is 1.94 A. 

Calculate the resistance of the LDR.

3c
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3 marks

The switch X in the circuit in (a) remains closed. The light intensity on the LDR increases. 

By reference to the current in the battery, state and explain the effect, if any, of the increase in light intensity on the power produced by the battery.

3d
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3 marks

The light intensity on the LDR decreases. 

State and explain what happens to the potential difference across R1.

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