Electrical quantities: past paper questions
Real questions on electrical quantities
The newest 20 of 163 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
the total energy transferred electrically to the motor in 11 s energy = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[2]
State Ohm’s law.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(i)[2]
Calculate the resistance of the reshaped resistor. resistance of reshaped resistor = Ω
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Describe, in terms of particles, what happens as the rod becomes negatively charged.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(i)[1]
Explain, in terms of particles, how an electrical conductor differs from an electrical insulator. (i)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(ii)[3]
The conducting surface of the ball contains both negatively charged particles and positively charged particles. Explain what happens to the negatively charged particles and to the positively charged particles as the rod is brought close to the ball.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(iii)[2]
Explain why the resultant force on the ball is towards the rod.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[1]
Describe how a direct current differs from an alternating current (a.c.).
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
Calculate the charge that flows through point P in the time of 120 s. charge = C
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[2]
The current in the circuit is due to the flow of electrons. Each electron carries a charge of magnitude 1.6 × 10 –19 C. State the direction which the electrons move past point P and determine the number of electrons that pass point P in 1.0 s. direction
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(i)[1]
State the relationship between the resistance of the wire and the length of the wire.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(ii)[3]
Calculate the current in a 90 cm length of the wire when there is a potential difference (p.d.) of 9.0 V across it. Show your working. current = A
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(iii)[2]
The p.d. across the wire making the resistor X is kept constant for all the measurements of resistance. Describe the relationship between the current in the wire and the length of the wire.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[1]
State how the resistance of a wire depends upon the cross-sectional area of the wire.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q8d(ii)[1]
State what causes the tracks in a cloud chamber or state what causes the sparks in a spark counter.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
The student closes the switch. Record the readings shown. 0.4 0.6 0.2 2 0.8 A 0 3 1 1.0 0 4 V 5 The readings of current I L and potential difference V L are shown in Fig. 1.2. I L = A Fig. 1.2
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[1]
The student opens the switch. Suggest why the switch is opened after the readings are recorded.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(iii)[2]
Use the equation R = V I to calculate the resistance R L of the lamp. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. R L = Ω
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(ii)[1]
The reading on the voltmeter does not change. Fig. 1.3 shows the new current reading on the ammeter. This is current I C . 0.4 0.2 0.6 0 0.8 1.0 A Fig. 1.3 Record I C . I C = A Use the equation in (a)(iii) to find the resistance R C of the lamp and the resistor connected in series.
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[1]
The student measures the room temperature θ R . The thermometer is shown in Fig. 2.2. °C 30 20 10 Fig. 2.2 Record the reading of θ R on the answer line. θ R = °C
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were many candidates who did not give the correct symbol for a thermistor or who omitted this part completely.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
This question was answered well with full credit very frequently awarded. Occasionally an incorrect expression such as I = VR or I = R/V was used.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q7(b)(i) (Cambridge)
This question was also well answered and again, many candidates scored full credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q7(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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