Resistance: past paper questions
Real questions on resistance
The newest 20 of 92 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[3]
(b) The potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp is 3.9V. The current in the lamp is 0.60A. Calculate the resistance of the lamp. PESISTANCE .......... .......... [3]
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8c[3]
The teacher moves the circuit from a warm room to a cold room. Explain how the change in temperature affects the brightness of the lamp. Turn over
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · 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 → - 0972/31 · 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 → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[3]
(a) Calculate the resistance of the heater. PESISTANCE .......... .......... [3]
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iv)[5]
The resistance of the fixed resistor is 2.5Q. Calculate the p.d. across the motor. p.d. across motor =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · 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 → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(i)[1]
Calculate the resistance R, of the resistance wire on the rod using the equation: V, R,= =. 2 I,
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(ii)[1]
(ii) Calculate another value lL, for the length of resistance wire on the rod using your values from 2(a)(iv) and 2(c)(i) and the equation: Give your answer in centimetres to the nearest millimetre.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[1]
(d) The values of the lengths L, and lL, are different from each other. The value lL, from 2(b)(ii) is from distance measurements. The value lL, from 2(c)(ii) involves electrical measurements. Suggest which value, L, or L,, is more accurate. Give a reason for your answer, comparing the two methods. SUGGESTION ............
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · 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 → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(ii)[1]
The voltmeter reading is shown in Figure 3.2. Figure 3.2 Record the voltmeter reading Vin the second column of Table 3.1 for R = 10Q. Table 3.1 resistance R/Q p.d. V/V vly 10 15 1.6 18 1.5 22 1.3 33 1.0
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[2]
The student repeats 3(a) by replacing the 10 resistor with resistors of resistance R = 15Q, 18Q, 22Q and 33Q in turn. The student records the values of V in Table 3.1. Calculate the value of 1 for each value of V. Vv 1. Ce . Record your values of yin Table 3.1 to 2 significant figures.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3c[1]
0 1 (c) Plot a graph of viv (y-axis) against R/Q (x-axis). Start your axes at the origin (0,0). Draw a best-fit straight line.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3d[1]
Determine the gradient G of your line. Show all your working and indicate on the graph the values you use.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3e[1]
Extend your line so that it meets the y-axis. Record the intercept c that your line makes with the y-axis.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3f[1]
(f) The resistance Ry of resistor X can be calculated using the equation: Use your answers to 3(d) and 3(e) to calculate R,. Record your answer to the nearest ohm. Ry = rea Turn over
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[3]
The potential difference (voltage) across a component is 72 V. The current in the component is 0.024 A. Calculate the resistance of the component. resistance = Ω
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q9b[2]
Calculate the combined resistance of lamp 1 and lamp 2. combined resistance = Ω (b) The resistance of each lamp is 8.0 Ω.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
S 1 is closed and S 2 is open. The current in the ammeter is 0.080 A. Calculate the resistance of R 1 . resistance =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates correctly determined the effective resistance of the series combination as 24 . A common error was to multiply the two resistances to give an answer of 128 or to attempt to determine the effective resistance of a parallel combination of resistors.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q8(a) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates correctly evaluated the current in the circuit as 0.25 A. The most common mistake was to use an incorrect rearrangement of V = I R. Sometimes, candidates substituted the wrong values, i.e. they had I = V ÷ R and then wrote down I = 8 ÷ 2.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q8(b) (Cambridge)
Many candidates found this question challenging with only stronger candidates correctly drawing a voltmeter symbol in parallel with the 16 resistor. Common errors included drawing an ammeter symbol or just a circle with the word ‘meter’ and often these were drawn in series with the resistors. There were many candidates who did not attempt this question or who redrew the circuit diagram.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q8(d) (Cambridge)
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