Resistance: past paper questions
Real questions on resistance
The newest 20 of 258 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[3]
The potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp is 3.9 V. The current in the lamp is 0.60 A. Calculate the resistance of the lamp. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q9c(i)[2]
Describe two ways by which the student can increase the deflection to the left.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q9c(ii)[2]
Describe two ways by which the student can make the pointer deflect to the right.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(iii)[1]
State the name of the process of thermal energy transfer through the copper.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[3]
Calculate the resistance of the heater. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[3]
Calculate the resistance of the heater. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iv)[3]
The resistance of the fixed resistor is 2.5 Ω. Calculate the p.d. across the motor. p.d. across motor = V
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q10c(i)[2]
Explain why the power loss in the cables during electricity transmission is smaller when the transmission is at a high voltage.
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Record the current I 1 shown in Figure 2.2. Include the unit. I 1 = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Record the potential difference (p.d.) V 1 across the resistance wire BC shown in Figure 2.2. Include the unit. V 1 = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(iii)[1]
Calculate the resistance R 1 of the resistance wire using the equation: V 1 R 1 = . I 1 R 1 = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(iv)[1]
The length of the resistance wire is 50 cm. Calculate r, the resistance per cm of the resistance wire, using the equation: r = R 1 . 50 cm r = Ω / cm
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(i)[1]
Record the number of whole turns N of wire on the rod. N =
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(ii)[1]
The student measures the diameter d of the rod. 2.3 cm d = Calculate a value l 1 for the length of wire on the rod using the equation: l 1 = cm l 1 = Nπd.
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(i)[1]
Calculate the resistance R 2 of the resistance wire on the rod using the equation: R 2 = V 2 . I 2 R 2 = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Calculate another value l 2 for the length of resistance wire on the rod using your values from 2(a)(iv) and 2(c)(i) and the equation: R 2 l 2 = . r Give your answer in centimetres to the nearest millimetre. l 2 = cm
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[1]
The values of the lengths l 1 and l 2 are different from each other. The value l 1 from 2(b)(ii) is from distance measurements. The value l 2 from 2(c)(ii) involves electrical measurements. Suggest which value, l 1 or l 2 , is more accurate. Give a reason for your answer, comparing the two methods. suggestion reason
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[1]
On Figure 3.1, draw the voltmeter connected to measure the p.d. across resistor X.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(ii)[1]
The voltmeter reading is shown in Figure 3.2. 1 2 V 0 3 (ii) Figure 3.2 Record the voltmeter reading V in the second column of Table 3.1 for R = 10 Ω. Table 3.1 resistance R / Ω p.d. V / V / 1 1 V V 15 1.6 18 1.5 22 1.3 33 1.0 10
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[2]
for each value of V. V 1 Record your values of in Table 3.1 to 2 significant figures. V Calculate the value of (b) The student repeats 3(a) by replacing the 10 Ω resistor with resistors of resistance R = 15 Ω, 18 Ω, 22 Ω and 33 Ω in turn. The student records the values of V in Table 3.1.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates were able to select the correct information from the question and diagram and then to substitute these values into a correct equation to calculate the effective resistance of the lamps in series as 18 Ω. Limited responses • A few candidates used an equation for calculating the effective resistance of resistors in series. A commonly seen approach was divid...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q8(b) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • The most common approach seen here was a calculation of total resistance from which the resistance of the fixed resistor was subtracted. • A few candidates calculated the p.d. across the fixed resistor and used this to find the p.d. across the thermistor. They then used R = V / I to calculate the resistance of the thermistor. Limited responses • Most candidates recognise...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q7(c) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • A few candidates were able to apply correct knowledge of how resistance of a thermistor changes with temperature to state how the ammeter and voltmeter readings would be affected. Limited responses • Most candidates suggested that both readings would change. • Candidates needed a clearer understanding of how changes in the resistance of a component would affect readings...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q7(d) (Cambridge)
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