IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 · Physics · 99

0654.P4.3.04 — Calculate the combined resistance of two or 7 Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: more resistors in series (a) . the sum of the c: past paper questions

6 real questionsasked in 2 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Which, Calculate

Real questions on 0654.p4.3.04 — calculate the combined resistance of two or 7 recall and use in calculations, the fact that: more resistors in series (a) . the sum of the c

The newest 6 of 6 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0654/32 · October/November 2025 · Q9a(ii)[3]
The battery has four 1.5 V cells in series. Calculate the resistance of the bell. resistance = Ω When the bell rings the current in the bell is 3.0 A.
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0654/41 · May/June 2025 · Q12b[2]
A 40 Ω resistor and a 20 Ω resistor are connected in parallel. Calculate the combined resistance of the two resistors. resistance = Ω
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0654/21 · May/June 2021 · Q37[1]
Which combination of resistors has a combined resistance of 2.0 ?
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0654/11 · October/November 2019 · Q35[1]
Which pair of changes must result in a larger current in the circuit?
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0654/11 · October/November 2019 · Q36[1]
Which circuit has the smallest resistance?
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0654/11 · October/November 2019 · Q37[1]
Which row shows how lamps are connected in a lighting circuit in a house and gives an advantage of connecting them in this way?
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What examiners said

The most common error was that total resistance = 1/20 + 1/40. The inverse transformation step was frequently missing, so a final answer of 3/40 or 0.075 was commonly seen. 60 was also commonly seen.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/41 Q12(b) (Cambridge)

The most common error was to confuse series and parallel combinations of resistors, and select option D, rather than the correct option, A.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 0654/21 Q37 (Cambridge)

A large majority of candidates of all abilities opted for the single resistor, not recognising that the parallel combination had less resistance.
— Examiner report, October/November 2019, 0654/11 Q36 (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

99 0654.P4.3.04 — Calculate the combined resistance of two or 7 Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: more resistors in series (a) . the sum of the c

Calculate the combined resistance of two or 7 Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: more resistors in series (a) . the sum of the currents entering a junction in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents that leave the junction (b) . the total p.d. across the components in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual p.d.s across each component (c) . the p.d. across each branch of a parallel arrangement of components is the p.d. across the whole arrangement

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