Circuit diagrams and circuit components: past paper questions
Real questions on circuit diagrams and circuit components
The newest 20 of 78 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[1]
On Figure 3.1, complete the circuit to show: • a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q3c(i)[1]
Complete the column headings in Table 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q8a[2]
Draw on Figure 8.1 to complete the circuit by adding the electrical symbols for the meters to measure the current in the lamps and the potential difference for the lamps.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2026 · Q11a[2]
Define the terms r and T in this equation. r is
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2026 · Q11b(i)[2]
Explain why the orbital speed is an average value.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · October/November 2025 · Q9c[3]
The teacher draws a circuit diagram for the circuit in Fig. 9.1. The circuit diagram is not completed. Fig. 9.2 shows the teacher’s incomplete circuit diagram. lamp 1 A ammeter 1 Fig. 9.2 Complete the circuit diagram by adding the symbols correctly connected.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
The light level in the room changes from bright to dark. State and explain the effect on the voltmeter reading. explanation statement
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7a(i)[2]
Name the electrical component. Explain how you identified the component from the graph in Fig. 7.1. name explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7a(ii)[1]
Draw the circuit symbol for this component.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[1]
Determine the value of the current measured by the ammeter. current =
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[1]
Fig. 2.1 shows part of the circuit that the student assembles. 470 Ω Y Z Fig. 2.1 Complete the circuit by adding the correct symbol for an LDR between Y and Z. Choose from the list provided in Fig. 2.2. X + – Fig. 2.2
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(i)[1]
The student: • • • • closes the switch connects a voltmeter across the 470 Ω resistor records the reading on the voltmeter opens the switch. On Fig. 2.1, draw a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the 470 Ω resistor.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
The voltmeter reading is shown in Fig. 2.3. 1 2 V 0 3 Fig. 2.3 Record the voltmeter reading V XY . V XY = V
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[2]
The current I in the circuit is calculated using the equation: V XY , I = R where R = 470 Ω. Use your voltmeter reading in (b)(ii) to calculate the current I. I =
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[1]
On Fig. 3.1, complete the circuit to show a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the terminals P and Q.
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
Read, and record in the first line of Table 3.1, the values of V and I shown on the meters in Fig. 3.2 and Fig. 3.3. Table 3.1 V / V I / A circuit B 1.4 0.46 circuit C 1.8 0.29 The student rearranges the resistors between terminals P and Q, as shown in Fig. 3.4, to form circuit B and circuit C. The new values of V and...
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q3e(i)[1]
Draw the circuit symbol for a variable resistor.
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q3e(ii)[1]
Briefly explain one advantage of using a variable resistor to control the current. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2025 · Q9a[4]
switch ammeter Fig. 9.2 Complete the circuit diagram in Fig. 9.2 to represent the circuit in Fig. 9.1. Use standard circuit symbols. battery A (a) Fig. 9.2 shows part of the circuit diagram for the circuit in Fig. 9.1.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2024 · Q8a[2]
Draw on Fig. 8.1 to show how to connect a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the lamp. Use the electrical symbol for a voltmeter.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates were able to correctly analyse the circuit diagram and then to add the correct circuit symbol for an ammeter in series with the lamps and the correct circuit symbol for a voltmeter in parallel with the lamps. Limited responses • Some candidates used an incorrect rearrangement of the equation for calculating work done. The most common transposed the positi...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q8(a) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Some candidates gave clear, precise definitions for both the radius of the orbit and the orbital period. Limited responses • Many candidates gave incomplete definitions, for example, radius and period. • Some candidates described r as the distance from the Sun, instead of defining r as the orbital radius. • A few candidates gave ambiguous definitions for T, for example,...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q11(a) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • A few candidates linked the average orbital speed to variation in r. They usually explained this variation in terms of the orbit being elliptical. Limited responses • Most candidates explained that the orbit of Saturn is not a perfect circle or that it is elliptical. • The effect of varying r on orbital speed was not always clearly understood. • Some candidates suggested...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q11(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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