Practical circuits: past paper questions
Real questions on practical circuits
The newest 20 of 111 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[2]
the current in the cell current = A
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[2]
the current in the cell current = A
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(ii)[2]
the resistance of the thermistor. (ii) resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[4]
Two parallel plate capacitors C 1 and C 2 are connected to a supply that has a potential difference (p.d.) V S . The capacitors may be connected in series or in parallel. The supply provides charge Q S and the plates of the two capacitors acquire charges Q 1 and Q 2 respectively. The p.d.s across the plates of the capa...
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
Calculate the p.d. across the capacitor. p.d. = V (i)
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[2]
Calculate the charge on the capacitor. charge = C (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(iii)[3]
The capacitor is now connected in parallel with a capacitor of capacitance 180 μF that is initially uncharged. Determine the total energy, in mJ, now stored in the two capacitors. energy = mJ
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(iii)[2]
On Fig. 6.3, draw the circuit diagram for the components inside the rectification circuit. W Y X Z
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(iv)[3]
Determine a value for the time constant for the discharge of the capacitor C through the resistor R in Fig. 6.1. time constant = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[2]
The capacitor C has a capacitance of 570 μF. Use your answer in (b)(iv) to determine the resistance of resistor R. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(iv)[3]
Determine a value for the time constant for the discharge of the capacitor C through the resistor R in Fig. 6.1. time constant = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[2]
The capacitor C has a capacitance of 570 μF. Use your answer in (b)(iv) to determine the resistance of resistor R. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2024 · Q6c(i)[1]
Use circuit symbols to complete Fig. 6.1 to show the circuit diagram of this arrangement.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(i)[2]
Complete Fig. 6.1 to show a circuit that produces half-wave rectification of an alternating input voltage V IN to produce output voltage V OUT across the resistor R. V IN R C V OUT Fig. 6.1 (b) (i)
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(ii)[1]
State the purpose of the capacitor C in the circuit of Fig. 6.1.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6c(i)[2]
Show that the capacitance of C is 570 μF.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6c(ii)[3]
Determine the resistance of R. (ii) resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2024 · Q6a[3]
Explain the shape of the line in Fig. 6.2.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2024 · Q6b(ii)[3]
the time constant τ of the circuit in Fig. 6.1. τ = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2024 · Q6c[2]
Use your answers in (b) to determine capacitance C. C = F
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The points and error bars were straightforward to plot. A common error was plotting vertically 1.131 at 1.115 (three small squares difference). When plotting points, the diameter of each point should be less than half a small square. Candidates need to take greater care over the accuracy of the error bars and ensure that the error bars are symmetrical.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/52 Q2(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates appear to be using a sharp pencil and a transparent 30 cm ruler. For correctly plotted data, the line of best fit did not pass through both the highest and lowest points. The worst acceptable line was drawn well in general, and many stronger candidates drew a line that passed through all the error bars. Candidates should clearly label the lines drawn. Where a dashed line represents...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/52 Q2(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates clearly demonstrated the points that they used to calculate the gradient. Some candidates misread coordinates or did not use a sensibly sized triangle. A small number of candidates chose data points that did not lie on the lines, often using data from the table that is close to the line instead. Candidates should be encouraged to select two points on the line of best fit which are...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/52 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
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