IBPhysicsHLTopic QuestionsThe Particulate Nature of MatterCurrent & Circuits

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Current & Circuits (HL IB Physics)

Topic Questions

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1
Sme Calculator1 mark

Identify the unit defined as 'the charge carried by an electric current of one ampere in one second'.

  • Current.

  • Potential difference.

  • Coulomb.

  • Ampere.

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2
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Select the correct quantity and unit for this definition;

'the rate of flow of electric charge past a cross-section of material'

  Quantity Unit
A. charge coulomb
B. charge ampere
C. current coulomb
D. current ampere

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3
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Select the row which correctly identifies the three circuit symbols shown below. 

5-2-q1-sl-easy-mcq-phy-

  I. II. III.
A. heating element potentiometer variable resistor
B. heating element fuse thermistor
C. resistor ammeter variable resistor
D. voltmeter fuse thermistor

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4
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Identify two features of the circuit shown.

5-2-q2-sl-easy-mcq-phy-

A. a bulb is in series with a fixed resistor current can be measured through the cell
B. a bulb is protected by a fuse current can be measured through the bulb
C. a bulb is protected by a fuse voltage can be measured across the cell
D. a capacitor is in series with a fuse voltage can be measured across the bulb

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5
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Electrons moving through a metal wire transfer some of their electric potential energy to the positive ions of the metal. Which two changes are caused by this energy transfer?

  Kinetic energy of the lattice Resistance of the metal wire
A. decreases decreases
B. decreases increases
C. increases decreases
D. increases increases

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6
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Two identical 10 Ω resistors are connected first in series, and then in parallel, as shown.


5-2-q4-sl-easy-mcq-phy

Determine the correct combined resistance of each arrangement.

  Series Parallel
A. 5 Ω 20 Ω
B. 10 Ω 20 Ω
C. 20 Ω 10 Ω
D. 20 Ω 5 Ω

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7
Sme Calculator1 mark

Select the graph which best describes the I-V characteristic of an ohmic resistor.

  • 5-2-q5-opt-a-sl-easy-mcq-phy

  • 5-2-q5-opt-b-sl-easy-mcq-phy

  • 5-2-q5-opt-c-sl-easy-mcq-phy

  • 5-2-q5-opt-d-sl-easy-mcq-phy

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8
Sme Calculator1 mark

A wire with resistivity ρ, length L and cross-sectional area A has resistance R.

5-2-q6-1-sl-easy-mcq-phy

Which of the wire, made from the same material, will also have resistance R?

5-2-q6-2-sl-easy-mcq-phy

  • I only

  • I and II

  • II and III

  • III only

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9
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which of the following statements are benefits of using parallel circuits when connecting components in homes and vehicles?

  1. A single power source supplies all lights and appliances with the same potential difference 
  2. The current is the same in all branches so only one type of fuse is needed
  3. If one bulb breaks, the appliances in other branches continue to work

  • I and II

  • I and III

  • II and III

  • I, II and III

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10
Sme Calculator1 mark

A student is provided with three identical cells, each having a potential difference of V.

For the two arrangements shown, what is the total potential difference across the array?

5-2-q8-sl-easy-mcq-phy

  Series Parallel

A.

 V 3 V
B. 1 third V 3 V
C. 3 V 1 third V
D. 3 V V

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11
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A particular quantity X is an important factor when calculating for electrical circuits. X can be found using several different equations, as shown.

X space equals space W over t

 		 X space equals space I V X space equals space I squared R X space equals space V squared over R

Which option identifies X?

  • Current, I

  • Power, P

  • Resistance, R

  • Resistivity, ρ

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12
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Which is the correct unit for electromotive force?

  • Newton, N

  • Ampere, A

  • Volt, V

  • Coulomb, C

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13
Sme Calculator1 mark

A cell has an emf of 5 V and internal resistance 5 Ω and is connected to a lamp of resistance 200 Ω. What is the current in the cell?

  • 0.10 A

  • 0.050 A

  • 0.025 A

  • 0.024 A

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14
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Which statement correctly describes internal resistance?

  • The internal resistance of a cell is measured in amperes.

  • When the internal resistance is zero, the terminal pd of a cell is equal to its emf.

  • Internal resistance of a cell is due to resistance in the circuit wires.

  • Internal resistance within a cell increases its emf.

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15
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A graph showing the variation of terminal potential difference V of a cell with the current I flowing through it is shown:

q5_electromotive-force--internal-resistance_aqa-as-physics-mcq

Which line identifies the quantity which is represented by the magnitude of the slope of the graph?

  • The internal resistance of the cell.

  • The terminal potential difference provided by the cell.

  • The current through the cell.

  • The external resistance in the circuit.

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16
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which of the following statements about the emfspace ϵ spaceof a cell is correct?

  • The emf is measured in Newtons

  • ϵ space equals space I R space plus space I r squared, where R is the load resistance and r is the internal resistance

  • ϵ is the amount of chemical energy transferred to electric energy, per unit of charge through a cell

  • The emf of a cell is always less than its terminal – or output – potential difference

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17
Sme Calculator1 mark

Solar heating panels and photovoltaic cells can be used in countries where there is bright sunlight for large portions of the day. 

Which row identifies the correct statements for the use of both solar heating panels and photovoltaic cells? 

 

Solar Heating Panels

Photovoltaic Cells

A.

 heat tap water

generate electricity

B.

cool drinking water

heat drinking water

C.

store water

store electricity 

D.

generate electricity

heat tap water

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1
Sme Calculator1 mark

What is the current reading on the ideal ammeter shown?

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q1-phy

  • 1.0 A

  • 2.0 A

  • 3.3 A

  • 6.6 A

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2
Sme Calculator1 mark

What is the current reading on the ideal ammeter shown?

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q2-phy

  • 0 A

  • 0.12 mA

  • 12 A

  • 26.7 A

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3
Sme Calculator1 mark

A student is investigating the properties of cells made using lemons in parallel. They find that their lemon cell has an emf of 1.0 V and an internal resistance of 5000 Ω. 

What is the best estimate of the least number of lemons needed to light a bulb with a rating of 50 W and 8.0 V?

  • 9

  • 3000

  • 15 000

  • 30 000

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4
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The diagram shows a cubical wire framework made from rigid, uniform copper wire. The wires all have the same length.

Points A and H are connected to the terminals of a 6.0 V power supply. Side AB has a resistance of 2.0 Ω.

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q4-question-phy

Which line correctly identifies the total resistance of the network, the potential at F and the current in BC?

  total resistance / Ω current in side BC / A potential at F / V
A. 1 third 3.6 6.0
B. 5 over 3 0.6 2.4
C. 1 third 1.2 3.6
D. 5 over 3 0.6 6.0

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5
Sme Calculator1 mark

The circuit shown includes three identical cylindrical resistors, with dimensions such that the cross-sectional area is 5 mm2, the length is 20 cm and the resistance is R Ω.

When the switch is closed, the total resistance of the circuit is 5 kΩ.

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q5-phy

What is the resistivity of the material that the resistors are made from?

  • 0.08 Ω m

  • 0.25 Ω m

  • 8.0 Ω m

  • 25 Ω m

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6
Sme Calculator1 mark

The readings on both ammeters are zero. What are the values of X and Y?

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q6-phy

  X / Ω Y / Ω
A. 2 12
B. 2 6
C. 4 12
D. 4 6

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7
Sme Calculator1 mark

A strain gauge is a device which measure force. An applied tension on a thin wire of known resistance changes the length and cross-sectional area so that the value of the resistance is changed in a predictable way (assuming that volume remains constant).

When the length of the wire is increased by 5 % what will be the effect on the resistance?

  • − 5 %

  • + 5 %

  • − 10 %

  • + 10 %

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8
Sme Calculator1 mark

Two rods have the same length, and the same resistance. One rod is made from copper and the other from aluminium.

Copper is three times as dense as aluminium but has half the value of resistivity.

A student wants to know the ratio of:

fraction numerator m a s s space a l u m i n i u m space r o d over denominator m a s s space c o p p e r space r o d end fraction

Which option is the correct answer?

  • 6

  • 3 over 2

  • 2 over 3

  • 1 over 6

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9
Sme Calculator1 mark

The identical resistors marked (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are connected as shown. The battery which has negligible internal resistance supplies a total power of 20 W. 

5-2-sl-mcq-hard-q9-phy

What is the power dissipated in resistor (iv)?

  • 2.0 W

  • 3.0 W

  • 4.0 W

  • 6.0 W

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10
Sme Calculator1 mark

A circuit contains five identical resistors and four identical voltmeters. The reading on voltmeter V1 is 8.0 V and the reading on voltmeter V2 is 1.0 V. What are the readings on V3 and V4?q11_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

 

reading on voltmeter V3 / V

reading on voltmeter V4 / V

A.

1.5

1.0

B.

3.0

2.0

C.

4.5

3.0

D.

6.0

4.0

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11
Sme Calculator1 mark

Five resistors of equal resistance are connected to a cell as shown. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q1-phy

Which of the following is correct about the power dissipated PX, PY and PZ in resistors X, Y and Z respectively? 

  PX PY PZ
A. I squared R 1 third I squared R 2 over 3 I squared R
B. 1 fourth I squared R 1 third I squared R 4 over 9 I squared R
C. I squared R 1 over 9 I squared R 2 over 3 I squared R
D. 1 fourth I squared R 1 over 9 I squared R 4 over 9 I squared R

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12
Sme Calculator1 mark

Two cells, X and Y, each with internal resistance 1.0 Ω, are connected in a circuit with two resistors as shown. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q2-phy

Which of the following statements is not correct? 

  • The circuit charges cell X

  • The power dissipated in cell X is greater than the power dissipated in cell Y

  • The charging current is 1.0 A

  • The circuit charges cell Y

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13
Sme Calculator1 mark

A circuit contains two batteries, an external resistor and a motor, which is attached to a pulley that lifts a load. The direction of current in the circuit is indicated. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q4-phy

Which of the following energy transformations most accurately describes the behaviour of the circuit? 

  • chemical → electrical + thermal + mechanical

  • chemical + electrical → mechanical + thermal 

  • chemical → electrical + thermal + mechanical + gravitational 

  • chemical + electrical → thermal + mechanical + gravitational 

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14
Sme Calculator1 mark

A pump is designed to move water through a certain height h such that the water flows back down, turning a paddle wheel. Such a system is often used to explain the operation of a battery in an electric circuit.

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q5-phy

Which row in the table below best contrasts the work done by the pump and a battery? 

  Pump Battery
A. Does work on the water flowing in the pump Does work on the current flowing in the wires
B. Does work on the water flowing in pipes Does work on the current flowing in the wires
C. Does work on the water flowing in the pump Does work on the ions in the battery
D. Does work on the water flowing in the pipes Does work on the ions in the battery

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15
Sme Calculator1 mark

A 24 V solar panel charges a 12 V battery with internal resistance 0.10 Ω. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q6-phy

Which of the following is correct? 

  V1 V2
A. 18 12.6
B. 30 –12.6
C. 18 –12.6
D. 30 12.6

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16
Sme Calculator1 mark

A cell has internal resistance r.

A graph of terminal potential difference V across the cell against current drawn from the cell I is shown. The scales are such that the length O epsilon is equal to the length O open parentheses epsilon divided by r close parentheses. A point P is chosen on the graph, such that open parentheses O close parentheses open parentheses epsilon divided by 2 close parentheses open parentheses P close parentheses open parentheses epsilon divided by 2 r close parentheses is a square. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q7-phy

Which of the following statements is correct? 

  • P is the point at which the load resistance is maximum

  • P is the point at which maximum power is delivered by the cell 

  • P is the point at which minimum power is delivered by the cell

  • P is the point at which the internal resistance of the cell reduces to zero

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17
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which of the following correctly describes the electromotive force of a cell? 

  • The difference in energy between that needed to drive unit charge through the load resistance and through the cell

  • The energy used to drive unit charge through the load resistance

  • The energy used to drive unit charge through the cell's internal resistance

  • The total energy used to drive unit charge round the complete circuit

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18
Sme Calculator1 mark

The figure shows how the e.m.f. of a simple generator varies with time. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q9-phy

Which of the following statements is incorrect? 

  • The alternating e.m.f. does not affect the internal resistance of the generator

  • The frequency of the e.m.f. is 200 Hz

  • The internal resistance of the generator alternates with a frequency of 200 Hz 

  • The internal resistance of a power supply depends on its capacity

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19
Sme Calculator1 mark

Two almost identical lead-acid accumulator batteries, X and Y, are connected in a circuit as shown. 

5-3-sl-mcq-hard-q10-phy

The following information is provided: 

  • When S1 is closed and S2 remains open, the millivoltmeter reads 60 mV
  • When both S1 and S2 are closed, the reading on the millivoltmeter changes by 20 mV and the ammeter reads 5.0 A

What is the resistance of R? 

  • 4.0 mΩ

  • 4.0 Ω

  • 4.0 kΩ

  • 40 kΩ

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1
Sme Calculator1 mark

What is the definition of electric current?

  • The ratio of potential difference across a component to the resistance of the component 

  • The rate of flow of electric charge 

  • The energy transferred per unit of charge flowing through a component 

  • The chemical energy transferred to electrical energy per unit of charge flowing in a cell 

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2
Sme Calculator1 mark

A circuit contains five identical resistors and four identical voltmeters. The reading on voltmeter V1 is 8.0 V and the reading on voltmeter V2 is 1.0 V. What are the readings on V3 and V4?q11_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

 

reading on voltmeter V3 / V

reading on voltmeter V4 / V

A.

1.5

1.0

B.

3.0

2.0

C.

4.5

3.0

D.

6.0

4.0

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3
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A power cable X has resistance R and carries current I. A second cable Y has resistance 2R and carries current 1 half.

What is the ratio fraction numerator p o w e r blank d i s s i p a t e d blank i n blank bold italic Y over denominator p o w e r blank d i s s i p a t e d blank i n blank bold italic X end fraction?

  • 1 fourth

  • 1 half

  • 2

  • 4

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4
Sme Calculator1 mark

Two resistors are connected to a cell.

 

q14_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

 

Assuming both resistors are made from wires of the same length, which graph shows how the potential V varies along the line XY?

ma14_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

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5
Sme Calculator1 mark

Four resistors are connected to a battery of e.m.f. 6 V as shown.

 

q17_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

 

If the battery has negligible internal resistance, what is the current in the battery?

  • 2 A

  • 3 A

  • 4 A

  • 5 A

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6
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which of the following cannot be the units for resistivity?

  • V m A–1

  • J m s–1 A–1

  • J m s–1 A–2

  • Ω m

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7
Sme Calculator1 mark

Three resistors are connected to a cell of e.m.f. 10 V and negligible internal resistance as shown.

q19_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

What is the power dissipated in one of the 2 Ω resistors and in the whole circuit?

 

power dissipated in the 2 Ω resistor / W

power dissipated in the whole circuit / W

A

1

18

B

1

20

C

2

18

D

2

20

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8
Sme Calculator1 mark

Three identical lamps, W, X and Y are connected to a cell of negligible internal resistance as shown.

 

q20_heating-effect-of-electric-currents_ib-sl-physics-mcq

When the switch is closed, each lamp is lit. Which of the following correctly describes the brightness of lamps W, X and Y when the switch is opened?

 

lamp W

lamp X

lamp Y

A

increases

increases

decreases

B

decreases

off

decreases

C

decreases

off

increases

D

increases

decreases

decreases

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9
Sme Calculator1 mark

A science student who lives in the UK, where the mains voltage is 240 V, buys a light bulb marked 60 W which she uses in her bedroom. The student takes the lightbulb with her on a trip to Canada where the mains voltage is 100 V and also uses it there.

Which line correctly identifies the approximate power dissipated in the bulb in the UK and Canada?

  UK / W Canada / W
A. 30 10
B. 60 30
C. 60 10
D. 120 60

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10
Sme Calculator1 mark

A resistor R is connected to the terminals of a battery of emf 9.0 V and internal resistance r.

q11_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

A charge of 240 C through the resistor in two minutes. The power dissipated in the resistor as a result is 1440 J. What is the internal resistance r of the battery?  

  • 3.0 Ω

  • 2.0 Ω 

  • 1.5 Ω 

  • 4.5 Ω 

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11
Sme Calculator1 mark

A battery of electromotive force ϵ delivers charge Q to the load resistance. Which of the following statements is correct?

  • The chemical work done around the circuit is ϵQ 

  • The electrical work done between the terminals of the battery is ϵQ

  • The load resistance is ϵQ

  • The electrical work done in the battery and the across the load resistance is ϵQ  

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12
Sme Calculator1 mark

The potential difference across the terminals of a battery is 5.0 V when the current is 1.0 A and 4.0 V when the current is 1.5 A. What is the emf of the battery and its internal resistance?

 

emf (V)

internal resistance (Ω)
A.

7.0

2.0
B.

7.0

0.5
C.

3.0

2.0
D.

3.0

 0.5

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13
Sme Calculator1 mark

An electrical circuit is designed to measure the current I through a variable resistor R. The cell used in the circuit has an emf ϵ and an internal resistance r.

A graph shows the variation of bold 1 over bold I with R. q15_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

What is the magnitude of the gradient?

  • 1 over ϵ

  • 1 over R

  • 1 over r

  • r

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14
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which statement about terminal potential difference V and e.m.f. ϵ is incorrect?

  • For non-ideal batteries, terminal potential difference is always measured to be less than the e.m.f. 

  • V = ϵ only when current in the cell is zero 

  • For ideal batteries, the terminal potential difference is always measured to be less than the e.m.f. 

  • The terminal potential difference of non-ideal batteries decreases over time

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15
Sme Calculator1 mark

Which of the following units for internal resistance is incorrect?

  • V A–1

  • J s–1 A–2

  • kg m2 A­–2 s–2

  • kg m2 A­–2 s–3

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16
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In the two circuits shown, only the internal resistances differ.

q19_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq

Which row in the table below correctly describes the potential difference across and power dissipated by the 3 Ω resistor? 

  potential difference across the 3 Ω resistor (V)

power dissipated in the 3 Ω resistor (W)
A.

Greater in X than in Y

Lesser in X than in Y
B.

Greater in X than in Y

Greater in X than in Y
C.

Lesser in X than in Y

Lesser in X than in Y
D. Lesser in X than in Y Greater in X than in Y

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17
Sme Calculator1 mark

A cell of internal resistance r is connected to a variable resistor R.

q20_electric-cells_ib-sl-physics-mcq 

Which of the following statements about the circuit is/are correct?

(1) If the resistance of R decreases, the terminal potential difference of the cell also decreases, but the power dissipated in the cell is large

(2) If the resistance of R is made very large, the current in the circuit is very small but most of the power supplied by the cell is dissipated by R

(3) If the resistance of R is made very small, then the lifetime of the cell reduces

  • Statement (1) only

  • Statement (2) only

  • Statements (1) and (3) only

  • Statements (1), (2) and (3)

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18
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An array of photovoltaic cells is set up so that 20 solar cells are connected together as shown. Each cell has an output of 12 V and 2.5 A.

q17_energy-sources_ib-sl-physics-mcq

What is the potential difference and the current output of the array?

 

Potential difference / V

Current / A

A.

48

10.0

B.

48

12.5

C.

60

10.0

D.

60

12.5

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