M OIZ DAWO ODI

O’ LEVEL
O / A L EVEL P HYSI C S

PHYSICS
Practical Electricity

4.4
ST UD E N T N A M E

PHYSICS WITH
MOIZ DAWO ODI
O'Levels

4.4 Practical Electricity

4.4.1 Uses of Electricity
Match the following
 P 1 Past Papers

01 The diagram shows a circuit.

A

The lamp is a 12 W lamp and is working at normal brightness.

What are the readings on the meters?

voltmeter ammeter
reading / V reading / A

A 6 0.5
B 12 0.5
C 12 1
D 24 2 [MJ2011/P11/Q31]

02 A lamp rated 6 V, 2 A is switched on for 60 s.

How much energy is used?

A 0.2 J B 20 J C 180 J D 720 J

[MJ2011/P11/Q32]

03 The current in a filament lamp is 0.25 A when working normally. The lamp is connected to a plug
and the mains a.c. supply.
When the lamp is switched on, it does not light.

What is a possible cause for this?

A The earth wire in the plug is not connected.

B The fuse in the plug is 3 A.
C The lamp only works on a d.c. power supply.
D The live wire in the plug is not connected. [ON2011/P11/Q30]
04 Which appliance used on a 240 V supply is most likely to burn out its fuse?

appliance fuse

A 100 W lamp 1A
B 1 kW vacuum cleaner 5A
C 2 kW fan heater 3A
D 3 kW electric fire 13 A [ON2011/P11/Q31]

05 A lamp connected to a 12 V supply converts energy at a rate of 36 W.

How much energy will be converted in 10 s?

A 30 J B 36 J C 120 J D 360 J [MJ2012/P11/Q31]

06 What causes the fuse to blow in a mains electrical circuit?

A a person touches the live wire
B a person touches the neutral wire
C the live wire touches the earth wire
D the neutral wire touches the earth wire [MJ2012/P11/Q32]

07 What is the current in the lamp?

A lamp is rated at 12 V, 600 mW.

A 20 mA B 50 mA C 2.0 A D 5.0 A [MJ2012/P12/Q31]

08 A water heater uses 6 kW of electric power when connected to a 240 V circuit.

Which fuse is most suitable for use in this circuit?

A 5A B 13 A C 30 A D 50 A [MJ2012/P12/Q32]

09 A lamp connected to a 12 V supply converts energy at a rate of 36 W.

How much energy will be converted in 10 s?

A 30 J B 36 J C 120 J D 360 J [ON2012/P11/Q31]

10 An immersion heater is labelled 12 V, 60 W.

What is the current in the heater when connected to a 12 V supply?

A 0.20 A B 5.0 A C 12 A D 60 A [ON2012/P11/Q32]

11 A lamp is rated at 60 W on a 240 V supply.
What is the current in the lamp when used normally?

A 0.25 A B 4.0 A C 60 A D 180 A [ON2012/P12/Q31]

12 The cost of electricity is 16 c per kW h.

What is the cost of using a 3 kW heater for 4 hours?

3×4 3 × 16
A c B c C 4 × 3 × 16 c D 4 × 3 × 60 × 16 c
[ON2012/P12/Q32]
16 4

13 The diagram represents part of a household circuit containing an electric kettle.

metal case

element X
Y

Which row correctly identifies the wires W, X and Y?

W X Y

A earth live neutral

B live neutral earth
C live earth neutral
D neutral live earth [MJ2013/P11/Q33]

14 Five electrical appliances are connected to the same socket and there is a very large current.
Why is this dangerous?

A The fuses blow in the appliances.

B There is a greater risk of an electrical shock.
C There is overheating in each appliance.
D There is overheating in the socket. [MJ2013/P12/Q36]

15 One kilowatt-hour of energy costs $0.24.

How much does it cost to run a 2 kW heater for three hours?

A $0.24 B $0.48 C $0.72 D $1.44 [MJ2014/P11/Q32]

16 An appliance uses a current of 3 A.
Which row is correct for the fuse in this appliance?

most suitable fuse connected

fuse rating / A in

A 5 earth wire
B 5 live wire
C 13 earth wire
D 13 live wire [MJ2014/P12/Q33]

17 There is a current of 0.25 A in a lamp connected to a 240 V supply.

What is the input power to the lamp?

A 15 W B 60 W C 240 W D 960 W [ON2014/P12/Q28]

18 Which unit measures the energy input to an electrical appliance?

A ampere
B kilowatt-hour
C volt

[ON2014/P12/Q29]
D watt

19 An electric lamp is marked 0.5 A. It is connected to a socket marked ‘30 A maximum’.

Which fuse is best to use in the lamp?

A 0.5 A B 3A C 30 A D 40 A [ON2014/P12/Q30]

20 When the flash on a camera is used, a charge of 1.5 C flows through the flash-tube in 0.0030 s.

The average voltage across the flash-tube is 3600 V.

What is the electrical energy supplied to the flash-tube and what is the average power supplied?
energy / J power / W

A 2400 7.2
B 2400 800 000
C 5400 16.2
D 5400 1.8 × 106 [MJ2015/P11/Q31]
21 The diagram shows the information found on an electric kettle.

240 V 50 Hz
600 W 700 cm3

What is the frequency of the electrical supply used to power the kettle?

A 50 Hz B 240 V C 600 W D 700 cm3 [MJ2015/P11/Q35]

22 Which diagram shows a lamp wired correctly to the mains supply in a house?

A B
live neutral live neutral

C D
live neutral live neutral

[ON2015/P11/Q31]

23 An immersion heater is labelled 24 V, 120 W.

What is the current in the heater when it is connected to a 24 V supply?

A 0.20 A B 5.0 A C 24 A D 120 A [ON2015/P12/Q34]

P 1 Mark Scheme
 P 2 Past Papers

01 The cable from the mains plug to a washing machine contains a live wire, a neutral wire and an
earth wire. The earth wire is connected to the metal case of the washing machine.

(a) Explain how connecting the earth wire to the metal case makes the washing machine safer.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) When in use, the average input power to the washing machine is 500 W.

Calculate the number of kW h of energy used by the washing machine in 45 minutes of use.

number of kW h = ................................................[2]

[MJ2011/P22/Q6]
02 Fig. 2.1 is the circuit diagram of a fan oven that works from a 230 V a.c. mains supply.

S1
S2
230 V a.c.
supply M fan motor
heater

Fig. 2.1

The oven contains a 3500 W electric heater, an electric fan operated by a 200 W fan motor and two
switches S1 and S2.

(a) (i) When switches S1 and S2 are open, both the heater and the fan motor are off, as shown
in Fig. 10.2.

S1 S2 heater fan motor

open open off off

off on

on on

Fig. 2.2

Complete Fig. 2.2 by writing “open” or “closed” in the boxes. [2]

(ii) Explain how the circuit represented by Fig. 2.1 ensures that the heater cannot be
switched on when the fan motor is off.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(iii) Suggest one reason why the circuit is designed so that the heater cannot be switched on
when the fan motor is off.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) (i) The heater and the fan motor are both switched on. Calculate the current supplied to the
oven.

current = ....................................................[2]

(ii) 1. Suggest a suitable rating for the fuse to be used with this oven.

................................................................................................................................[1]

2. The fuse is placed in one of the three wires in the mains lead. State the wire in
which it is placed.

................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) Explain how earthing the metal case of the oven makes it safer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[3]

(c) The cost of 1 kW h of electrical energy is 35 cents. Calculate the cost of leaving just the fan
motor switched on for 12 hours.

cost = ....................................................[3]

[ON2011/P21/Q10]
03 Fig. 3.1a shows a room heater. Fig. 3.1b is a diagram of the electric circuit of the heater.

neutral live

switch A

switch B

Fig. 3.1a Fig. 3.1b

The fuse has not been drawn on the circuit diagram in Fig. 3.1b.

(a) (i) On Fig. 3.1b, draw the symbol for a fuse in the correct position. [2]

(ii) State the part of the room heater to which the earth wire is connected.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) The earth wire reduces the chance of an electric shock if a fault develops in the room
heater.

1. State one fault that causes an electric shock when a person uses the room heater
without an earth connection.

....................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................[1]

2. Explain how using an earth connection prevents an electric shock.

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) (i) This type of room heater is very efficient. Explain what this means.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) The room heater is a convector heater. Describe and explain how thermal energy (heat)
passes around a room by convection.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[3]

(c) Fig. 3.2 shows the power output of the room heater when each switch is closed.

power / W
switch A only closed 600
switch B only closed
both switches closed 2100

Fig. 3.2

(i) Determine the power output of the room heater when only switch B is closed.

power output = .......................................................... [1]

(ii) The room heater is used with both switches closed for 2.5 hours.
Calculate the energy output of the room heater
1. in kilowatt-hours,

energy = ................................................ kW h [2]

2. in joules.

energy = ...................................................... J [2]

[MJ2012/P21/Q9]
04 A 9.6 kW electric shower is powered by a 240 V mains supply.

(a) (i) Calculate the electric current in the heating element of the shower.

current = .................................................. [3]

(ii) Suggest an appropriate rating for the circuit breaker in the circuit for the shower.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) A family uses the shower for a total time of 25 minutes every day. The cost of 1 kW h of
electrical energy is 21 cents.

Calculate the daily cost of using the shower.

cost = .................................................. [2]

[ON2013/P21/Q7]
05 An electric saw is rated at 1200 W. When working on a job that lasts for four days, a workman
uses the saw, on average, for 75 minutes each day. The cost of 1 kW h of electrical energy is
21 cents.

(a) Calculate the cost of using the saw for this job.

cost = .................................................. [3]

(b) The metal case of the electric saw is earthed.

Explain how this protects the workman.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

[ON2013/P22/Q7]
06 An electric hairdryer and an electric heater are connected to the mains supply, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1

The cable from the heater to the mains supply has a live, a neutral and an earth wire.

(a) State the purpose of the neutral wire.

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The live wire in the electric heater touches the outer metal case.

Explain how the earth and the fuse together protect the user from electric shock.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(c) The hairdryer does not have an earth wire. Explain why this hairdryer is still safe to use.

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) In some modern homes, circuit breakers are used instead of fuses.

Suggest one advantage of using a circuit breaker rather than a fuse.

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[MJ2015/P22/Q7]
07 A spotlight in a television studio is at full brightness. The lamp inside the spotlight is powered by a
230 V supply and the current in the filament of the lamp is 27 A.

(a) Calculate the power of the lamp.

power = ........................................................ [2]

(b) The spotlight is kept switched on at full brightness.

(i) Calculate the energy transformed by the lamp in 30 minutes.

energy = ........................................................ [1]

(ii) The cost of using one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity is 23 cents.

Calculate the cost of using the spotlight for 30 minutes.

cost = ........................................................ [2]

[ON2015/P22/Q8]
 P 2 Mark Scheme
Page 3 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper
GCE O LEVEL – May/June 2011 5054 22

6 (a) no shock // no electrocution B1

(if) case becomes live // live touches case B1
45
(b) correct conversion to kW, 0.5 seen // conversion to hours // 0.75 // // (E =) P × t C1
60
0.375 // 0.38 // 0.37 (kW h) A1 [4]

Page 4 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper

GCE O LEVEL – October/November 2011 5054 21

10 (a) (i)

closed open B1
closed closed B1

(ii) S1 closed → motor on B1

S1 open → heater off B1

(iii) the heater would overheat/burn/melt or

more efficient cooking/circulation described B1
(b) (i) (I =) P/V or 3700/230 or 3500/230 or 200/230 or 15(.217) C1
16(.08695) A or 16.1 A A1

(ii) integral value: 17 → 40 A or up to candidate’s (b)(i) + 24 B1

live B1

(iii) if case becomes live or if live wire touches case B1

fuse blows B1
live/supply disconnected/case safe to touch/prevents shock/
prevented electrocution B1
(c) 0.20/3.5/3.7 (kW) or 200/3500/3700 × 12 × 35 C1
0.20/3.5/3.7 × 12 × 35 or 1470 c or 1554 c or 84000 c C1

84 c or $0.84 (allow €/₤/R etc.) A1 [15]

 Page 5 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper
GCE O LEVEL – May/June 2012 5054 21
9 (a) (i) fuse symbol correct B1
in live wire before junction of two elements B1

(ii) the (metal) case/outside B1

(iii) 1. live wire touches case; live touches person B1

2. current goes to earth; current does not go through the person B1

fuse blows B1

(b) (i) most of the energy output is useful/heat; little energy is wasted; B1

(ii) hot air rises (not heat rises) B1

density of hot air is lower B1
convection current mentioned OR hot air rises and cold air falls B1
(c) (i) 1500 W B1

(ii) 1. conversion to kW seen on any power; 2.1 (kW) seen C1

5.25; 5.2; 5.3 (kW h) A1

2. E = P × t in any form, algebraic or using any power or time e.g. 600 × 2.5,
600 × 150 C1
1.89 × 107 (J) OR 3.6 × 106 × (c)(ii)1. A1 [15]

Page 3 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper

GCE O LEVEL – October/November 2013 5054 21
7 (a) (i) (I = )P/V or 9.6/240 or 9600 C1
9600/240 or 0.040 C1
40 A A1
(ii) any whole number from 41 to 99 (incl.) with unit (A)
(e.c.f. from 0.040 A: 1,2,3 A) B1
(b) 9.6 × 25 × 21 or 9.6 × 25/60 or 9.6 × 25/60 × 21 or 5040 c or $50.40 etc. C1
84 c or $0.84 or €0.84 or £0.84 or Rs0.84 etc. (85.7/86c from 0.42h) A1 [6]
 Page 4 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
GCE O LEVEL – October/November 2013 5054 22

7 (a) a power × a time × the unit price

(e.g. 1.2 × 75/60 × 4 × 21 or 1200 × 75/60 × 4 × 21 or 1.2 × 75 × 4 × 21
or 1.2 × 75/60 × 21 or 5 (hr) or 6 (kW h)) C1
a power × a time × the unit price and with maximum of one physics
error (i.e. use of 1200 or omits 60 or omits 4)
(e.g. 1200 × 75/60 × 4 × 21 or 1.2 × 75 × 4 × 21 or 1.2 × 75/60 × 21 or
126 000 or 7560 or 31.5 (accept 0.21 for 21 and 75.60 and 0.315)
(if this C mark is scored so is the previous one) C1
126/130 c or $1.26/1.30 or €/£/Rs 1.26/1.30 etc. A1

(b) (if) case becomes live or live wire touches the case B1
fuse blows or (large) current to earth or no current in workman
(ignore excess; not “some current”) B1 [5]

Page 4 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper

Cambridge O Level – May/June 2015 5054 22

7 (a) to provide a complete circuit (with live) B1

or to pass current back to mains
or provide a return path for the current

(b) current / charge / electrons flow to earth / earth wire / ground (when live touches
case) B1
fuse melts / blows and disconnects circuit / cuts live / stops current B1

(c) doubly insulated B1

or case / body made of plastic / insulator / not made of metal
or user cannot touch metal

(d) (circuit breaker) B1

• turns off / acts fast(er)
• can be reset
• easy to see it has tripped / switched
• can detect small difference between live and neutral currents / small
(leakage) current to earth

Page 3 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper

Cambridge O Level – October/November 2015 5054 22
8 (a) (P = )VI or 230 × 27 C1
6200 / 6210 W or 6.21 / 6.2 kW A1

(b) (i) 1.1 / 1.12 / 1.1178 × 107 J B1

(ii) 6.21 × 0.5 × 23 or 6.21 × 30 × 23 or 3.1 / 3.105 × 23 C1

71 / 71.3 / 71.4 / 71.415 c or $ 0.71 / 0.714 / 0.71415 A1 [5]