Series and parallel circuits: past paper questions
Real questions on series and parallel circuits
The newest 20 of 20 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/41 · 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 → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q7b(ii)[6]
The resistance of the variable resistor can be varied from 0 Ω to a maximum resistance of 150 Ω. Using the axes in Fig. 7.1, draw a graph to show how the current in the circuit varies with the resistance of the variable resistor as it increases from 0 Ω to 150 Ω. Determine and label the value of the maximum current on...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[2]
Describe what is meant by a potential divider.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(ii)[3]
The switch is closed. Calculate the resistance of the complete circuit. resistance =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q7c[2]
Calculate the reading on the voltmeter when the switch is closed. reading =
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q8c(ii)[3]
Determine the ratio of the p.d. across R 2 to the p.d. across R 3 .
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2022 · Q8c(ii)[3]
The battery is connected in a circuit with four 12 Ω resistors. Fig. 8.1 is the circuit diagram. V Fig. 8.1 Calculate the total resistance of this arrangement of resistors. resistance =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2022 · Q8c(iii)[2]
Calculate the reading on the voltmeter in Fig. 8.1. reading =
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q9a(i)[1]
point A current =
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q9a(ii)[2]
point B current =
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q9a(iii)[2]
point C. current =
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2022 · Q2e[1]
The student rearranges the resistors to set up the circuit shown in Fig. 2.4. A R A R B R C V Fig. 2.4 He measures the current I 3 in the circuit. 0.29 A I 3 = He measures the potential difference V 3 across the combination of the three resistors. 2.1 V V 3 = Calculate the resistance R 3 of the combination of resistors...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2021 · Q8b[1]
The current in the LDR is I 1 and the current in the 800 Ω resistor is I 2 . Complete the equation that relates the current in the 450 Ω resistor to I 1 and I 2 . current in the 450 Ω resistor =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q10a(ii)[1]
The reading on ammeter X is 0.50 A. State the reading on ammeter Y. reading on ammeter Y = A
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q10b[3]
In another circuit, the 3.0 Ω resistor and the 5.0 Ω lamp are connected in parallel, as shown in Fig. 10.2. 4.0 V X A A Y 3.0 Ω 5.0 Ω Fig. 10.2 The lamp and resistor have changed from a series to a parallel combination. State and explain the effect of this change on the current in ammeter X.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q10b(i)[1]
Resistor A and resistor B are connected in series. State the value of their combined resistance. Ω
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q10b(ii)[1]
Resistor A and resistor B are connected in parallel. Compare the combined resistance when in parallel with the resistance of resistor A alone.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2019 · Q9a[1]
Switch X is in position P. State the position of switch Y for the lamp to be lit.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2019 · Q9c[2]
The student connects another 6.0 V lamp in parallel with the first lamp, as shown in Fig. 9.2. + 6.0 V – switch X switch Y Fig. 9.2 Give two advantages of connecting the lamps in parallel.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2019 · Q7c(i)[3]
the total resistance of the circuit resistance =
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, 0972/41 Q7(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
Only a few of the strongest candidates gained full credit here. This required a curve with a decreasing negative gradient starting at a maximum current of 0.25 A at 0 , reaching a minimum current value above zero at 150 . In the strongest answers, candidates used I = V ÷ R to calculate current values at a couple of key points on the graph. This ensured that their curve touched the y-axis at 0.25 A...
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/41 Q7(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question required a simple description of a potential divider as a device which splits the electromotive force (e.m.f.) across resistors in series in proportion to their resistances. Many candidates incorrectly stated that current would be divided, and some candidates tried to answer by describing the diagram given in the question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0972/41 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
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