EXAM QUESTIONS

AQA TRILOGY

ELECTRICITY

Q1-6 FOUNDATON

Q3-9 HIGHER

MARK SCHEME AT THE END OF

ALL THE QUESTIONS

Page 1 of 29
Q1.
Some ceiling lights in the home are connected to the mains by a two-core cable.

Figure 1 shows a ceiling light.

Figure 1

(a)  Suggest why some ceiling lights do not have an earth wire.

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___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)  Write down the equation that links charge flow, current and time.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)  There is a current of 2.95 A in one of the copper wires for 60 seconds.

Calculate the charge flow through the wire.

Use your equation from part (b)

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge flow = _________________ C

(2)

(d)  Figure 2 shows a current potential difference graph for a piece of copper wire.

Figure 2

Page 2 of 29
 Draw another line on Figure 2 for a wire with a different resistance.
(2)

Some fuses have a thin piece of copper that melts if the current is too large.

(e)  Draw the circuit symbol for a fuse.

(1)

(f)  Describe how the movement of the copper particles in the wire changes when
copper melts.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(g)  Old copper wires are melted when they are recycled.

Page 3 of 29
 Calculate the energy needed to melt 500 kg of copper at its melting point.

Specific latent heat of fusion of copper = 200 kJ/kg

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Energy = _________________ J
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q2.
Figure 1 shows the circuit symbol for three different components.

Figure 1

(a) Which component is a variable resistor?

Tick one box.

A B C

(1)

(b) Which component is a thermistor?

Tick one box.

A B C

(1)

(c) In which component will the resistance decrease when the temperature increases?

Tick one box.

A B C

(1)

Page 4 of 29
(d) In which component will the resistance decrease when the light intensity increases?

Tick one box.

A B C

(1)

Figure 2 shows four different arrangements of resistors.

Figure 2

(e) Two of the arrangements are in series and two are in parallel.

Describe the difference between a series and a parallel arrangement.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) Which arrangement has a resistance of 10 Ω?

Tick one box.

P Q R S

(1)

(g) Which arrangement has the highest resistance?

Tick one box.

Page 5 of 29
 P Q R S

(1)

(h) A student connects a resistor to a cell for 60 seconds.

The current through the resistor is 0.97 A

Calculate the charge flow.

Use the equation:

charge flow = current × time

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge flow = ____________________ C

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q3.
Figure 1 shows a three pin plug connected to the cable of a metal toaster.

Figure 1

(a) Name wire X.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) What does wire X do?

Page 6 of 29
 Tick one box.

It provides extra energy to the toaster

when needed.

It completes the circuit in the toaster.

It can prevent an electric shock from the

toaster.

It supplies the current to the toaster.

(1)

(c) The toaster is plugged in to the mains electricity supply.

What is the potential difference between the live and neutral wires?

Tick one box.

0V 120 V 230 V 460 V

(1)

(d) Mains electricity is an alternating supply.

A battery is a direct supply.

Figure 2 shows an alternating supply and a direct supply.

Figure 2

Give two differences between the alternating supply and the direct supply.

1. _________________________________________________________________

Page 7 of 29
 2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

Energy is transferred to homes by the National Grid.

Figure 3 shows the percentage energy losses over the National Grid for different years.

Figure 3

(e) Describe the changes in percentage energy loss.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) Calculate the mean percentage energy loss per year in Figure 3.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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Page 8 of 29
 Mean energy loss per year = ____________________ %
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q4.
A student investigated how length affects resistance of a wire.

Figure 1 shows the circuit the student used.

Figure 1

(a) The student took measurements using the meters X and Y.

Name meters X and Y.

Meter X ____________________

Meter Y ____________________
(2)

The table shows the results.

Resistance in Ω

Length in m Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Mean

0.100 0.66 0.67 0.74 0.69

0.200 1.36 1.40 1.34 1.37

0.300 2.02 2.02 2.03 2.02

0.400 2.77 2.72 2.68 2.72

0.500 3.37 3.35 3.40 3.37

0.600 4.03 4.02 3.96 4.00

(b) For which length of wire are the readings of resistance the most precise?

Give the reason for your answer.

Length = ____________________ m

Page 9 of 29
 Reason ____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Why did the student do three tests and calculate a mean?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Write the equation that links current, potential difference, and resistance.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) The potential difference across a piece of wire is 2.1 V

The current in the wire is 0.30 A

Calculate the resistance of the wire.

Write any equation that you use.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = ____________________ Ω
(3)

Figure 2 shows a graph of the results.

Figure 2

Page 10 of 29
 (f) What is the label for each axis of the graph?

x-axis ______________________________________________________________

y-axis ______________________________________________________________
(2)

(g) What conclusion can be made from the graph in Figure 2?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Q5.
An energy input of 1.3 × 1018 J is supplied each year by power stations to the National
Grid.

Not all of this energy is supplied to consumers. Some of the energy is wasted in the
distribution process.

(a)  Write the equation which links efficiency, total input energy transfer and useful output
energy transfer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)  The energy supplied each year to consumers is 1.2 × 1018 J

Page 11 of 29
 Calculate the efficiency of the distribution process.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Efficiency = _______________________
(2)

(c)  How is electrical power transmitted across the National Grid to make the process as
efficient as possible?

Tick one box.

At a high potential difference and a high current

At a high potential difference and a low current

At a low potential difference and a high current

At a low potential difference and a low current

(1)

(d)  Write the equation which links energy transferred, power and time.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)  A wind turbine supplies a power output of 8000 kW for 1200 seconds.

Calculate the energy transferred by the wind turbine in kJ

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Energy transferred = ___________________________ kJ

(3)

(f)  Describe the environmental advantages and disadvantages of using wind turbines to

Page 12 of 29
 generate electricity in the UK.

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___________________________________________________________________

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(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Q6.
A light dependent resistor (LDR) is connected in a circuit.

(a)  Draw the circuit symbol for an LDR.

(1)

(b)  A student investigated the relationship between current and potential difference for
an LDR.

How should the student have connected the ammeter and voltmeter in the circuit?

Tick one box.

Ammeter Voltmeter

in parallel with LDR in parallel with LDR

Page 13 of 29
 in parallel with LDR in series with LDR

in series with LDR in parallel with LDR

in series with LDR in series with LDR

(1)

The diagram below shows a sketch graph of the student’s results.

The LDR was in a constant bright light.

(c)  The student concluded that the current in the LDR is inversely proportional to the
potential difference across the LDR.

Explain why the student’s conclusion is incorrect.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d)  The student repeated the investigation with the LDR in constant dark conditions.

Sketch on the diagram above the graph for the LDR in constant dark conditions.
(2)

The LDR was placed near a light source.

The following results were recorded:

potential difference = 5.50 V

current = 12.5 mA

Page 14 of 29
 (e)  Write down the equation that links current, potential difference and resistance.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(f)  Calculate the resistance of the LDR.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = _____________ Ω
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Q7.
The picture shows an electric bicycle. The bicycle is usually powered using a combination
of the rider pedalling and an electric motor.

(a) A 36 volt battery powers the electric motor. The battery is made using individual
1.2 volt cells.

(i) Explain how a 36 volt battery can be produced using individual 1.2 volt cells.

To gain full marks, you must include a calculation in your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) The battery supplies a direct current (d.c.).

What is a direct current (d.c.)?

Page 15 of 29
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) When fully charged, the battery can deliver a current of 5 A for 2 hours. The
battery is then fully discharged.

Calculate the maximum charge that the battery stores.

Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Charge stored = ______________________________

(3)

(b) When powered only by the electric motor, the bicycle can carry a 90 kg rider at a
maximum speed of 6 m/s. Under these conditions, the maximum distance that the
bicycle can cover before the battery needs recharging is 32 km.

The bicycle has a mass of 30 kg.

(i) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the bicycle and rider when the rider
is not pedalling.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Kinetic energy = ______________________________ J

(2)

(ii) The bicycle can be fitted with panniers (bags) to carry a small amount of
luggage.

What effect would fitting panniers and carrying luggage have on the distance
the bicycle can cover before the battery needs recharging?

______________________________________________________________

Give a reason for your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q8.
The picture shows an electric cooker hob. The simplified circuit diagram shows how the
four heating elements connect to the mains electricity supply. The heating elements are

Page 16 of 29
identical.

When all four heating elements are switched on at full power the hob draws a current of
26 A from the 230 V mains electricity supply.

(a) Calculate the resistance of one heating element when the hob is switched on at full
power.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = _______________ Ω
(3)

(b) The table gives the maximum current that can safely pass through copper wires of
different cross-sectional area.

Cross-sectional Maximum safe

area in mm2 current in amps

1.0 11.5

2.5 20.0

4.0 27.0

6.0 34.0

The power sockets in a home are wired to the mains electricity supply using cables
containing 2.5 mm2 copper wires. Most electrical appliances are connected to the
mains electricity supply by plugging them into a standard power socket.

Page 17 of 29
 It would not be safe to connect the electric cooker hob to the mains electricity
supply by plugging it into a standard power socket.

Why?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Mains electricity is an alternating current supply. Batteries supply a direct current.

What is the difference between an alternating current and a direct current?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q9.
Table 1 shows information about different light bulbs.

The bulbs all have the same brightness.

Table 1

Input power in
Type of bulb Efficiency
watts

Halogen 40 0.15

Compact
fluorescent 14 0.42
(CFL)

LED 7 0.85

(a) (i) Calculate the useful power output of the CFL bulb.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 18 of 29
 Useful power output = _______________ watts
(2)

(ii) Use your answer to part (i) to calculate the waste energy produced each
second by a CFL bulb.

______________________________________________________________

Waste energy per second = _______________ joules

(1)

(b) (i) A growth cabinet is used to investigate the effect of light on the rate of growth
of plants.

The figure below shows a growth cabinet.

In the cabinet the factors that affect growth can be controlled.

A cooler unit is used to keep the temperature in the cabinet constant. The
cooler unit is programmed to operate when the temperature rises above
20 °C.

The growth cabinet is lit using 50 halogen bulbs.

Changing from using halogen bulbs to LED bulbs would reduce the cost of
running the growth cabinet.

Explain why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

(ii) A scientist measured the rate of growth of plants for different intensities of

Page 19 of 29
 light.

What type of graph should be drawn to present the results?

______________________________________________________________

Give a reason for your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Table 2 gives further information about both a halogen bulb and a LED bulb.

Table 2

Type of Cost to Lifetime in Operating cost over the

bulb buy hours lifetime of one bulb

Halogen £1.50 2 000 £16.00

LED £30.00 48 000 £67.20

A householder needs to replace a broken halogen light bulb.

Compare the cost efficiency of buying and using halogen bulbs rather than a LED
bulb over a time span of 48 000 hours of use.

Your comparison must include calculations.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 20 of 29
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)  (casing is) not made of metal
allow (casing is) made of plastic
allow they are double insulated
1

little / no chance of electric shock

1

(b)  charge flow = current × time

allow the equation given in symbols
1

(c)  Q = 2.95 × 60
an answer of 177 scores 2 marks
1

Q = 177 (C)
allow 180 (C)
1

(d)  straight line with a different positive gradient

must go through the first and third quadrant
1

straight line with positive gradient through the origin

1

(e)

(f)  the particles vibrate about a fixed position regular arrangement

allow the particles are in a regular arrangement
1

(the particles change) to being free to move around

allow correct description of translational kinetic
energy
1

(g)  L = 200 000 (J/kg)

1

E = 500 × 200 000

allow 1 × 108 (J)
1

E = 100 000 000 (J)

allow correct calculation for incorrect conversion
or no conversion of L for 2 marks
1
an answer of 100 000 000 scores 3 marks

Page 21 of 29
 [13]

Q2.
(a) A
1

(b) C
1

(c) C
1

(d) B
1

(e) a series circuit has only one path/loop/branch

1

a parallel circuit has a branch(es) to provide more than one path / loop
allow answers that describe the difference in terms of
potential difference, current or resistance
1

(f) R
1

(g) P
1

(h) Q = 0.97 × 60
1

Q = 58.2 (C)
1

Q = 58 (C)
an answer of 58 (C) scores 3 marks
1
[11]

Q3.
(a) earth
1

(b) it can prevent an electric shock from the toaster

1

(c) 230 V
1

(d) (the potential difference) for the alternating supply changes direction
allow current
1

(the potential difference) for the alternating supply changes magnitude

allow current
allow converse

Page 22 of 29
 allow potential difference of alternating supply is greater
1

(e) there is an overall decrease

allow there is an decrease in percentage energy loss until
2013
1

but there is a (small) increase since 2013

1

(f) 1.92, 1.72, 1.70, 1.74, 1.77

1

(1.92 + 1.72 + 1.70 + 1.74 + 1.77)/5

1

1.77(%)
an answer of 1.77(%) scores 3 marks
1
[10]

Q4.
(a) ammeter
1

voltmeter
must be in the correct order
1

(b) 0.300 (m)

1

there is the smallest spread about the mean

1

(c) to reduce the effect of random errors

1

(d) potential difference = current × resistance

allow V = I × R
1

(e) R=V/I
1

R = 2.1 / 0.30
1

R = 7.0 Ω
an answer of 7.0 Ω scores 3 marks
1

(f) length in m
1

resistance in Ω
must be in the correct order

Page 23 of 29
 allow other correct labelling eg
length / m
length (m)
allow 1 mark if units are omitted
1

(g) resistance is directly proportional to length

1
[12]

Q5.

(a) 

(b) 
1

= 0.92
or
92 (%)
allow an answer that rounds to 0.92
or
92 (%)
1
ignore units
an answer of 0.92 or 92 (%) scores 2 marks

(c)  at a high potential difference and a low current

1

(d) 

(e) 
if a conversion of 8000 has been attempted, this
mark can be awarded
1

(E =) 1200 × 8000
if a conversion of 8000 has been attempted, this
mark can be awarded
1

Page 24 of 29
 (E =) 9 600 000 (kJ)
this answer only
1
an answer of 9 600 000 (kJ) scores 3 marks

(f)  any four from:

(environmental advantages)
•   renewable / sustainable (energy source)
•   conserves fossil fuels
•   no release of pollutant gases e.g. sulfur dioxide
•   no release of greenhouse gases
allow does not release carbon dioxide

•   does not contribute to global warming

(environmental disadvantages)
•   noise pollution
•   visual pollution
•   bird kill
•   not always windy so more use of fossil fuel power stations
ignore destruction of habitat
max 3 marks if only refers to advantages or
disadvantages
ignore references to cost
4
[12]

Q6.
(a)

(b)  in series with   in parallel

LDR      with LDR
1

(c)  (graph shows) direct proportion

1

(because) it is a straight line through the origin

allow inverse proportion would show a curve with
a negative gradient
1

(d)  straight line through the origin with a positive gradient

1

current is always of smaller magnitude than line already plotted for a given
potential difference
this mark only scores if first mark is awarded
1
allow for 2 marks a straight horizontal line along

Page 25 of 29
 the x-axis

(e)  potential difference = current × resistance

allow V = IR
1

(f)  12.5 mA = 0.0125 A
1

5.50 = 0.0125 × R
this mark may be awarded if current is incorrectly
/ not converted
1

this mark may be awarded if current is incorrectly

/ not converted
1

(R =) 440 (Ω)
allow an answer consistent with incorrectly / not
converted current
1
an answer of 440 (Ω) scores 4 marks
an answer of 0.44 (Ω) scores 3 marks
[11]

Q7.
(a) (i) (connect) 30 (cells)
1

in series
1

(ii) current always flows in the same direction

or
current only flows one way
1

(iii) 36 000
allow 1 mark for correctly converting 2 hours to 7200
seconds
answers 10 or 600 score 1 mark
2

coulombs / C
do not accept c
1

(b) (i) 2160

allow 1 mark for correct substitution, ie ½ × 120 × 62
answers of 1620 or 540 score 1 mark
2

Page 26 of 29
 (ii) reduce it
1

any one from:

• draws a larger current (from battery)

• motor draws greater power (from battery)

accept energy per second for power
accept more energy needed to move the bicycle

• greater resistance force (to motion) / air resistance / drag / friction

accept less streamlined
more mass to carry is insufficient
1
[10]

Q8.
(a) 35
an answer with more than 2 sig figs that rounds to 35 gains 2
marks

allow 2 marks for correct method, ie

allow 1 mark for I = 6.5 (A) or R =

an answer 8.8 gains 2 marks
an answer with more than 2 sig figs that rounds to 8.8 gains
1 mark
3

(b) (maximum) current exceeds maximum safe current for a 2.5 mm2 wire
accept power exceeds maximum safe power for a 2.5 mm2
wire

or
(maximum) current exceeds 20 (A)
(maximum) current = 26 (A) is insufficient
1

a 2.5 mm2 wire would overheat / melt

accept socket for wire
do not accept plug for wire
1

(c) a.c. is constantly changing direction

accept a.c. flows in two directions
accept a.c. changes direction
a.c. travels in different directions is insufficient
1

d.c. flows in one direction only

1
[7]

Page 27 of 29
Q9.
(a) (i) 5.88 (watts)
an answer of 5.9 scores 2 marks
allow 1 mark for correct substitution ie

0.42 =
allow 1 mark for an answer of 0.0588 or 0.059
2

(ii) 8.12
allow 14 – their (a)(i) correctly calculated
1

(b) (i) input power / energy would be (much) less (reducing cost of running)
accept the converse
electricity is insufficient
1

(also) produce less waste energy / power

accept ‘heat’ for waste energy
1

(as the waste energy / power) increases temperature of the cabinet

1

so cooler on for less time

1

(ii) line graph

need to get both parts correct
accept scattergram or scatter graph

both variables are continuous

allow the data is continuous
1

(c) number of bulbs used-halogen=24 (LED=1)

1

total cost of LED = £30 + £67.20 = £97.20

accept a comparison of buying costs of halogen £36 and
LED £30
1

total cost of halogen= 24 x £1.50 + 24 x £16.00 = £420

or
buying cost of halogen is £36 and operating cost is £384
accept a comparison of operating costs of halogen £384 and
LED £67.20
allow for 3 marks the difference in total cost is £322.80 if the
number 24 has not been credited
1

statement based on correct calculations that overall LED is cheaper

must be both buying and operating costs

Page 28 of 29
an alternative way of answering is in terms of cost per hour:

buying cost per hour for LED = 0.0625p/£0.000625

buying cost per hour for halogen = = 0.075p/£0.00075

a calculation of both buying costs scores 1 mark

operating cost per hour for LED = = 0.14p/£0.0014

operating cost per hour for halogen= = 0.8p/£0.008

a calculation of both operating costs scores 1 mark

all calculations show a correct unit

all units correct scores 1 mark

statement based on correct calculations of both buying and operating costs,

that overall LED is cheaper
correct statement scores 1 mark
1
[12]

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