Series and parallel circuits: past paper questions
Real questions on series and parallel circuits
The newest 20 of 52 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/32 · October/November 2025 · Q7c[1]
On Fig. 7.1, draw a second lamp so that there is a bigger current in the ammeter when the second lamp is connected.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Draw the circuit diagram.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(i)[2]
Calculate the current in the 800 Ω lamp. current = (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(ii)[3]
Calculate the energy used by the 800 Ω lamp in 5.0 hours. Give your answer in kWh. energy = kWh
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(iii)[2]
Calculate the combined resistance of the two lamps in this circuit. resistance =
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(iii)[2]
S 1 remains closed and S 2 is closed. Determine the reading on the ammeter. Show your working. ammeter reading =
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2025 · Q9c[2]
The student moves the sliding contact from position A to position B, as shown in Fig. 9.3. metal bar connection to battery coil of resistance wire sliding contact in position B metal bar connection to lamp connection to battery sliding contact in position A connection to lamp coil of resistance wire Fig. 9.3 State and...
See it on the paper → - 0625/12 · October/November 2024 · Q28[1]
Which circuit enables the resistance of the thermistor to be determined?
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2024 · Q8a(i)[1]
The student switches on one lamp. State which switches the student closes to switch on only one lamp.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2024 · Q8a(ii)[1]
The student opens all the switches then switches on two lamps. State which switches the student closes to switch on two lamps.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(i)[2]
Describe two advantages of using Circuit B.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(iv)[2]
Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. total resistance =
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[1]
The two lights in Fig. 2.1 are connected in parallel. State one advantage of a parallel connection in a lighting circuit.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2023 · Q7a[1]
Calculate the combined resistance of R 1 and R 2 when they are connected as shown in Fig. 7.1. combined resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2023 · Q7e[1]
A student connects R 1 , R 2 and the battery to make a different circuit. The resistors R 1 and R 2 are connected so their combined resistance is as small as possible. Draw a circuit diagram to show how R 1 and R 2 are connected to the battery.
See it on the paper → - 0625/11 · May/June 2023 · Q27[1]
What happens to the current in the battery and the power output from the battery when the cyclist closes S2?
See it on the paper → - 0625/21 · May/June 2023 · Q28[1]
Which statement about the current in X is correct?
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · October/November 2022 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Calculate the resistance R PQ of the parallel combination of resistors P and Q. V Use your readings from (b)(i) and the equation R PQ = . I T R =
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · October/November 2022 · Q3c[1]
The student connects the voltmeter to measure the potential difference V S across resistor S. The reading is shown in Fig. 3.4. 2 3 4 1 0 5 V Fig. 3.4 Read the value of the potential difference V S across resistor S shown in Fig. 3.4. V S = Calculate the resistance R S of resistor S. Use your readings from (c) and (b)(...
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · October/November 2022 · Q3d(i)[1]
Read the value of the current I P in resistor P shown in Fig. 3.5. I P = Read the value of the current I Q in resistor Q shown in Fig. 3.6. I =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Stronger candidates realised that with switches S1 and S2 closed each heater would have a current of 3.9 A in it. Finding the total current was then a simple sum of the current in each branch. Other candidates still arrived at the correct answer, by making use of the formula for total resistance of two resistors in parallel. A common error by weaker candidates was to assume that the current is sti...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/41 Q7(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
Candidates found this item challenging, with many not studying the figure carefully enough and so stating that the resistance of the variable resistor increased. These candidates often scored partial credit for knowing that an increase in the circuit resistance would produce a decrease in the current in the circuit.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0625/32 Q9(c) (Cambridge)
The strongest answers stated a clear advantage of the parallel connection, e.g. that if one lamp breaks the other branch of the circuit is still complete. Credit was also given for realising that a parallel connection means that both lamps receive the full potential difference of the battery. Candidates needed to avoid statements such as that lamps receive the same voltage which is true but is not...
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0625/43 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
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