IB Electricity revision questions 2012

1.

The graph below shows the current/voltage characteristics of a filament lamp.

24

16
3

Current / 10 A
8

6
4
Voltage / V

10

The resistance of the filament at 4.0 V is

A.

250 .

B.

4 000 .

C.

8 000 .

D.

64 000 .
(1)

2.

This question compares the electrical properties of two 12 V filament lamps.

A lamp is designed to operate at normal brightness with a potential difference of 12 V across its
filament. The current in the filament is 0.50 A.
(a)

For the lamp at normal brightness, calculate

(i)

the power dissipated in the filament.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

the resistance of the filament.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

In order to measure the voltage-current (V-I) characteristics of a lamp, a student sets up the
following electrical circuit.
12 V battery

(b)

On the circuit above, add circuit symbols showing the correct positions of an ideal
ammeter and an ideal voltmeter that would allow the V-I characteristics of this lamp to be
measured.
(2)

The voltmeter and the ammeter are connected correctly in the previous circuit.
(c)

Explain why the potential difference across the lamp

(i)

cannot be increased to 12 V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

cannot be reduced to zero.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

An alternative circuit for measuring the V-I characteristic uses a potential divider.
(d)

(i)

Draw a circuit that uses a potential divider to enable the V-I characteristics of the
filament to be found.

(3)

(ii)

Explain why this circuit enables the potential difference across the lamp to be
reduced to zero volts.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

The graph below shows the V-I characteristic for two 12 V filament lamps A and B.

Potential
difference
/V

lamp A

lamp B

12

0
0

0.5

1.0
current / A

(e)

(i)

Explain why these lamps do not obey Ohms law.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

State and explain which lamp has the greater power dissipation for a potential
difference of 12 V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(3)

The two lamps are now connected in series with a 12 V battery as shown below.
12 V battery

lamp A

(f)

(i)

lamp B

State how the current in lamp A compares with that in lamp B.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Use the V-I characteristics of the lamps to deduce the total current from the battery.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(iii)

Compare the power dissipated by the two lamps.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 25 marks)

3.

In the circuit below, the voltmeter has a resistance 100 k. The battery has negligible internal
resistance and emf 6 V.

The reading on the voltmeter is

A.

0 V.

B.

2 V.

C.

3 V.

D.

4 V.
(1)

4.

In which one of the circuits below is it possible to vary the current in the lamp by adjusting the
variable resistor? The cell has negligible internal resistance.
A.

B.

C.

D.

(1)

5.

In the circuit shown below, the cell has negligible internal resistance.

Which of the following equations is correct?

A.

I1 = 2I2

B.

I1 = 2I3

C.

I2 = 2I3

D.

I3 = 2I1
(1)

6.

Three resistors P, Q and R, are each labelled 100 . They are connected as shown.
X
Q

The total resistance, when measured between points X and Y, is found to be 200 .
What is the correct explanation for the resistance reading?
A.

Resistor R is zero

B.

Resistor R is infinite

C.

Resistor P is zero

D.

Resistor P is infinite
(1)

7.

This question is about an electric circuit.

A particular filament lamp is rated at 12 V, 6.0 mA. It just lights when the potential difference
across the filament is 6.0 V.
A student sets up an electric circuit to measure the I-V characteristic of the filament lamp.
In the circuit, shown below, the student has connected the voltmeter and the ammeter into the
circuit incorrectly.

The battery has emf 12 V and negligible internal resistance. The ammeter has negligible
resistance and the resistance of the voltmeter is 100 k. The maximum resistance of the
variable resistor is 15.
(a)

Explain, without doing any calculations, whether there is a position of the slide S at
which the lamp will be lit.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Estimate the maximum reading of the ammeter.

...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(2)

10

(c)

Complete the circuit diagram below showing the correct position of the voltmeter and of
the ammeter in order to determine the I-V characteristic of the filament lamp.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

8.

Which graph best represents the relationship between the current I and the voltage V of a
filament lamp.
A.

0
0
C.

B.

0
0

0
0

I
D.

0
0

I
(1)

11

9.

Three identical resistors of constant resistance are connected in series to a battery of negligible
internal resistance. The total power dissipated in the circuit is P.
The three resistors are now connected in parallel. The total power dissipated is
A.

P
.
3

B.

P.

C.

3P.

D.

9P.
(1)

12

10.

The graph shows the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of an electrical component.

I

I1

V0

V1

What is the resistance of the component at a potential difference V1 and how does the resistance
change, if at all, between potential differences V0 and V1.
resistance at V1

change between
V0 and V1

A.

(V1 V0 )
I1

no change

B.

(V1 V0 )
I2

decreases

C.

V1
I1

no change

D.

V1
I1

decreases
(1)

13

11.

Two filament lamps X and Y are designed to operate at normal brightness when the potential
difference across the lamps is 6 V. Each lamp will just light when the potential difference across
it is 3 V.
The two lamps are connected in parallel to a 4 V supply of negligible internal resistance as
shown below.
4V

The filament of lamp X breaks so that there is no current in it. The filament of lamp Y will
A.

glow at normal brightness.

B.

glow at more than normal brightness.

C.

glow more dimly.

D.

stay at the same brightness.

(1)

14

12.

This question is about electrical circuits.

The graph below shows the I-V (current-voltage) characteristic of an electrical component T.
150

100

I / mA

50

0
0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

V/V

(a)

On the graph above, draw the I-V characteristic in the range V = 0 to V = 6.0V for a
resistor R having a constant resistance of 40.
(1)

(b)

The component T and the resistor R are connected in parallel as shown below.
T

R
40

15

When a battery of constant emf E and negligible internal resistance is connected between
the terminals A and B, the current in the resistor R is 100 mA.
(i)

Calculate the emf E of the battery.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Use the graph to determine the current in T.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Calculate the power dissipation in T.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

16

(c)

In order to reduce the power dissipation in component T, a second resistor R of resistance

40 is connected in series with T. The circuit is shown below.
T

R
40

The battery connected between A and B is unchanged.

Use the graph to determine
(i)

the current in resistor T.

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

the power dissipation in T.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

17

13.

A voltmeter of resistance 50 k is connected in a circuit as shown in the diagram below.

e.m.f. = 12V
V

50k

R
10k

The emf of the battery is 12 V and the resistance of the resistor is 10 k. The internal resistance
of the battery is negligible.
The reading of the voltmeter is
A.

0.0 V.

B.

2.0 V.

C.

10 V.

D.

12 V.
(1)

18

14.

The graph below shows the variation with current I of the potential difference V across a
filament lamp.
V / volts

1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0
I / mA

The resistance of the lamp when I = 1.5 mA is

A.

950 .

B.

400 .

C.

0.95 .

D.

0.40 .
(1)

19

15.

In the circuit below, resistors X, Y and Z are connected in series with a 9.0 V supply.
+9.0 V

0
3000

3000

Resistors X and Z are fixed resistors of resistance 3000 . The resistance of resistor Y may be
varied between zero and 3000 .
Which of the following gives the maximum range of potential difference V across the resistors
X and Y?
A.

0 to 6.0 V

B.

3.0 V to 6.0 V

C.

4.5 V to 6.0 V

D.

4.5 V to 9.0 V
(1)

16.

This question is about electric circuits.

(a)

(i)

Define emf and state Ohms law.

emf: ....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................
Ohms law: ....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................
(2)

20

(ii)

The graph below shows the I-V characteristic of a particular electrical component.
V

State show the resistance of the component is determined from the graph.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

In the circuit below an electrical device (load) is connected in series with a cell of emf 2.5
V and internal resistance r. The current I in the circuit is 0.10 A.
e.m.f. = 2.5V

r
I = 0.10A
load

The power dissipated in the load is 0.23 W.

Calculate

(i)

the total power of the cell;

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

21

(ii)

the resistance of the load;

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

the internal resistance r of the cell.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

A second identical cell is connected into the circuit in (b) as shown below.

I = 0.15A
load

22

The current in this circuit is 0.15 A. Deduce that the load is a non-ohmic device.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

17.

In which one of the circuits is it possible to vary the current in the lamp by adjusting the
variable resistor? The cell has negligible internal resistance.
A.

B.

C.

D.

(1)

23

18.

A resistor of resistance 1.0 is connected in series with a battery. The current in the circuit is
2.0 A.
The resistor is now replaced by a resistor of resistance of 4.0 . The current in this circuit is 1.0
A.

2.0 A

1.0

4.0

The best estimate for the internal resistance of the battery is

A.

1.0 .

B.

2.0 .

C.

4.0 .

D.

5.0 .
(1)

19.

This question is about electrical energy and associated phenomena.

Current electricity
A cell of electromotive force (emf) E and internal resistance r is connected in series with a
resistor R, as shown below.

24

The cell supplies 8.1 103 J of energy when 5.8 103 C of charge moves completely round the
circuit. The current in the circuit is constant.

(i)

Calculate the emf E of the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

The resistor R has resistance 6.0 . The potential difference between its terminals is
1.2 V. Determine the internal resistance r of the cell.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(iii)

Calculate the total energy transfer in the resistor R.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

25

(iv)

Describe, in terms of a simple model of electrical conduction, the mechanism by which

the energy transfer in the resistor R takes place.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 12 marks)

20.

A battery is connected in series with a resistor R. The battery transfers 2 000 C of charge
completely round the circuit. During this process, 2 500 J of energy is dissipated in the resistor
R and 1 500 J is expended in the battery.
The emf of the battery is
A.

2.00 V.

B.

1.25 V.

C.

0.75 V.

D.

0.50 V.
(1)

26

21.

Electric circuits
(a)

The diagram below shows the circuit used to measure the current-voltage (I-V)
characteristic of an electrical component X.

On the diagram above,

(i)

label the ammeter A and the voltmeter V.

(1)

(ii)

mark the position of the contact of the potentiometer that will produce a reading of
zero on the voltmeter. Label this position P.
(1)

27

(b)

The graph below shows the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of two different
conductors X and Y.
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30

I/A

0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0

V/V

(i)

State the value of the current for which the resistance of X is the same as the
resistance of Y and determine the value of this resistance
Current:

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

Resistance: .....................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Describe and suggest an explanation for the I-V characteristic of conductor Y.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(3)

28

(c)

The two conductors X and Y are connected in series with a cell of negligible internal
resistance. The current in the conductors is 0.20 A.
Use the graph in (b) to determine
(i)

the resistance of Y for this value of current;

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

the emf of the cell.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

22.

In the circuit shown below, the cell has negligible internal resistance.
2R
I3

I1
R
I2

Which of the following equations is correct?

A.

I1 = 2I2

B.

I1 = 2I3

C.

I2 = 2I3

D.

I3 = 2I1
(1)

29

23.

The graph below shows the variation with potential difference V of the current I in an electrical
component.

0
0

V0

Which one of the following is a correct statement about the resistance of the component?
A.

For potential differences greater than V0, the resistance is constant.

B.

For potential differences greater than V0, the resistance decreases with increasing
potential difference.

C.

The variation of current with potential difference is linear and so Ohms law is obeyed.

D.

For potential differences less than V0, the resistance is zero.

(1)

30

24.

The resistors in each of the circuits shown below each have the same resistance.

circuit P

circuit Q

circuit S

Which of the following gives the circuits in order of increasing total resistance?
A.

B.

C.

D.

Q
(1)

25.

In the circuit shown, the voltmeter has a resistance of 20 k and the battery has an emf of 6.0 V
and negligible internal resistance.
6.0 V

10 k

20 k

V
20 k

31

The reading on the voltmeter is

A.

2.0 V.

B.

3.0 V.

C.

4.0 V.

D.

6.0 V.
(1)

26.

The drift velocity of the electrons in a copper wire in which there is an electric current is
A.

equal to the speed of light.

B.

close to that of the speed of light.

C.

of the order of a few kilometres per second.

D.

of the order of a few millimetres per second.

(1)

32

27.

Electrical circuits
Andrew is set the task of measuring the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of a filament lamp.
The following equipment and information are available.
Information

(a)

Battery

emf = 3.0 V, negligible internal resistance

Filament lamp

marked 3 V, 0.2 A

Voltmeter

resistance = 30 k, reads values between 0.0 and 3.0 V

Ammeter

resistance = 0.1 , reads values between 0.0 and 0.5 A

Potentiometer

resistance = 100

For the filament lamp operating at normal brightness, calculate

(i)

its resistance;
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

its power dissipation.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(1)

33

Andrew sets up the following incorrect circuit.

(b)

(i)

Explain why the lamp will not light.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

State the approximate reading on the voltmeter. Explain your answer.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

34

(c)

On the circuit diagram below, add circuit symbols to show the correct position of the
ammeter and of the voltmeter in order to measure the I-V characteristics of the lamp.

(2)

(d)

On the axes below draw a sketch graph to show the I-V characteristics for this filament
lamp.
I /A
0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

V /V
(4)

35

(e)

Explain the shape of the graph that you have drawn in (d).
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 14 marks)

28.

This question is about electric circuits.

Susan sets up the circuit below in order to measure the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of a
small filament lamp.

3.0 V
V

The supply is a battery that has an emf of 3.0 V and the ammeter and voltmeter are considered
to be ideal. The lamp is labelled by the manufacturer as 3 Volts, 0.6 Watts.

36

(a)

(i)

Explain what information this labelling provides about the normal operation of the
lamp.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Calculate the current in the filament of the lamp when it is operating at normal
brightness.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

Susan sets the variable resistor to its maximum value of resistance. She then closes the switch S
and records the following readings.
Ammeter reading = 0.18 A

Voltmeter reading = 0.60 V

She then sets the variable resistor to its zero value of resistance and records the following
readings.
Ammeter reading = 0.20 A

Voltmeter reading = 2.6 V

37

(b)

(i)

Explain why, by changing the value of the resistance of the variable resistance, the
potential difference across the lamp cannot be reduced to zero or be increased to
3.0 V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Determine the internal resistance of the battery.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

Calculate the resistance of the filament when the reading on the voltmeter is
(i)

0.60 V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

2.6 V.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(d)

Explain why there is a difference between your answers to (c)(i) and (c)(ii).
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

38

(e)

Using the axes below, draw a sketch-graph of the I-V characteristic of the filament
of the lamp. (Note: this is a sketch-graph; you do not need to add any values to the
axes.)
I

(1)

The diagram below shows an alternative circuit for varying the potential difference across the
lamp.
X

Y
3.0 V
Z

The potential divider XZ has a potential of 3.0 V across it. When the contact is at the position
Y, the resistance of XY equals the resistance of YZ which equals 12 . The resistance of the
lamp is 4 .

39

(f)

Calculate the potential difference across the lamp.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 18 marks)

29.

The diagrams below show combinations X, Y and Z of three resistors, each resistor having the
same resistance.

combination X

combination Y

combination Z

Which one of the following shows the resistances of the combinations in increasing order of
magnitude?
lowest

highest

A.

B.

C.

D.

X
(1)

40

30.

A battery of emf E and negligible internal resistance is connected to three resistors, each of
resistance R, a voltmeter and a switch, as shown below.
E

The voltmeter has infinite resistance.

What are the readings on the voltmeter when the switch is open and when it is closed?
Switch open

Switch closed

A.

less than E

B.

C.

less than E

D.

E
(1)

41

31.

This question is about emf and internal resistance.

A dry cell has an emf E and internal resistance r and is connected to an external circuit. There is
a current I in the circuit when the potential difference across the terminals of the cell is V.
V

r
I

(a)

State expressions, in terms of E, V, r and I where appropriate, for

(i)

the total power supplied by the cell;

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

the power dissipated in the cell;

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

the power dissipated in the external circuit.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Use your answers to (a) to derive a relationship between V, E, I and r.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

42

The graph below shows the variation of V with I for the dry cell.
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.90
0.80
V/V
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.0
0.0

0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

I/A

43

(c)

Complete the diagram below to show the circuit that could be used to obtain the data
from which the graph was plotted.

(3)

(d)

Use the graph, explaining your answers, to

(i)

determine the emf E of the cell;

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

determine the current in the external circuit when the resistance R of the external
circuit is very small;
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

44

(iii)

deduce that the internal resistance r of the cell is about 1.2 .

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(e)

The maximum power dissipated in the external circuit occurs when the resistance of the
external circuit has the same value as the internal resistance of the cell. Calculate the
maximum power dissipation in the external circuit.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 18 marks)

45

32.

In the two circuits X and Y below, each cell has an emf E and negligible internal resistance.
Each resistor has a resistance R.
circuit X

circuit Y
E

R
R

The power dissipated in circuit X is P.

The best estimate for the power dissipated in circuit Y is
A.

P
.
4

B.

P
.
2

C.

2P.

D.

4P.
(1)

33.

A heater has a resistance R when the potential difference across it is 12 V. In the circuit below,
it is connected in series with a 36 V supply and a resistor S.
36 V

46

To ensure that the potential difference across the heater is 12 V, the resistance of the resistor S
should be
A.

R
.
2

B.

2R
.
3

C.

3R
.
2

D.

2R.
(1)

47