Innova Junior College

JC1 Physics (H2)

Topic 10 D.C Circuits

Equivalent resistance of multiple resistors

1. J02/II/8 (part)
LO(c) A student has available some resistors, each of resistance 100. Draw circuit diagrams,
LO(d) one in each case to show how a number of these resistors may be connected to produce a
combined resistance of
(a) 200  [1]
(b) 50  [1]
(c) 40  [2]

Solution:

(a) Two resistors connected in series

(b) Two resistors connected in parallel
(c)

2. N01/II/4
LO(c) A network of resistors, each of resistance 6.0, is constructed as shown.
LO(d)

Determine the effective resistance of the network between terminals

(a) A and C [2]
(b) A and D [3]
[3 Ω, 3.75 Ω]
Solution:
1
 1 1 1
(a) Reff     3
 12 6 12 
(b)
6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω
A D A D A D
A 6.0 Ω D
3.75 Ω
6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω A D
6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω 4.0 Ω
10.0 Ω

6.0 Ω 12.0 Ω

1
 3. (Extra Practice)
LO(c) Given that each resistor has a resistance of R, determine the total resistance between the
LO(d) points PQ in the circuits shown in Fig. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c).

P
P Q

Q Fig. 3(b)
Fig. 3(a)

P Q
Fig. 3(c) [3R/2, R/3, 5R/8]
Solution:

(a)

P Q

1 1 1 3
RPQ = (  ) +R= R
R R 2
(b)

P Q

1 1 1 1 1
RPQ = (   ) = R
R R R 3

(c)

P Q

1 1 1 5
RPQ = {[(  )1  R]1  }1 = R
2R R R 8

2
 Electric circuits with a driving cell
4. J2000/II/2

LO(e) The figure below shows an electrical circuit in which the internal resistance of the battery
is negligible. 5.0 A

B 5.0 

12 V A 4.0 

Complete the table below by giving the electrical quantities for each of the components in
the circuit above. You are advised to start by completing the column for component A.

Circuit whole
A B C
component circuit
potential
12
difference / V
current / A 5.0
power / W
resistance /  4.0 5.0
[9]
Solution:

Circuit whole
A B C
component circuit
potential
12 10 2 12
difference / V
current / A 3.0 2.0 2.0 5.0
power / W 36 20 4 60
resistance /  4.0 5.0 1.0 2.4

3
 5. N03/II/2
The variation with current of the potential difference (p.d.) across a component X is
shown in Fig. 2.1.

LO(e) (a) (i) State how the resistance of component X varies, if at all, with increase of current.
[1]
(ii) On Fig. 2.1, draw a line to show the variation with current of the p.d. across a
resistor R of constant resistance 3.0 . [2]

LO(e) (b) The component X and the resistor R of resistance 3.0  are connected in series with a
battery of negligible internal resistance, as shown in Fig. 2.2.

The current in the circuit is found to be 2.0 A.

(i) Use Fig. 2.1 to determine the p.d. across component X.
(ii) Determine
1. the p.d. across R,
2. the emf of the battery. [3]

(c) The resistor R and the component X are now connected in parallel with the battery, as
LO(e)
shown in Fig. 2.3.

Use your answer to (b)(ii) and the graph of Fig. 2.1, determine the current drawn
from the battery. [4]
(b)[5 V, 6 V, 11 V]
(c)[6.6 A]
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 Solution:

(a) (i) Resistance of X increases with an increase of current.

(ii) Draw a line passing through origin and coordinates (2, 6) on the graph.

(b)(i) P.d. across X is 5.0 V

(ii) 1. For resistor R, p.d. across it at 3  is 6.0 V. (from the line drawn in (a)(ii))
2. e.m.f of battery = p.d. across resistor R = 5 + 6 =11.0 V

(c) P.d. across X and R is 11.0 V

From graph, current through X = 2.9 A

Using V = IR, current through R = 3.7 A

Current drawn from battery = 3.7 + 2.9 = 6.6 A

Potential divider circuits

6. N06/III/6

Two resistors R1 and R2 are connected in parallel. The equivalent single resistance is R.

LO(d) (a) Show, using Kirchhoff’s laws, that R is given by

R = (R1 R2) / (R1 + R2)

In your deduction of this equation, state clearly when each of Kirchhoff’s laws is used.
[5]
LO(d) (b) Deduce the value of R when
(i) R1 = 600 Ω and R2 = 3000 Ω [1]
(ii) R1 = R2 = 600 Ω [1]
(iii) R1 = 600 Ω and R2 is infinite. [1]

LO(d) (c) Sketch a graph showing how R varies with R2 for constant R1 = 600 Ω. [3]

LO(f), (d) A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is placed in parallel with a 600 Ω resistor and
LO(g) connected to a 12.0 V battery of internal resistance 30 Ω, as shown in Fig. 6.1.
12.0 V 30 Ω

600 Ω

Fig. 6.1

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(i) In conditions of low intensity light, the resistance of the LDR is 3000 Ω. Calculate

1. the current through the LDR, [2]

2. the power dissipated in the LDR. [2]

(ii) Accidentally, the LDR is exposed to sunlight and its resistance falls to 100 Ω. Discuss
whether the LDR, which is marked 0.5 W, will be damaged. [2]

(b)[500 Ω, 300 Ω, 600 Ω]

(d)[3.77 mA, 4.27 x 10-2 W]

Solution:

(a) I1 R1

I
X Y

I2 R2

By applying KCL at node X,

I  I1  I 2
By applying KVL around the loop,
 emf   pd
0  I1R1  I 2 R2
VXY  I1R1  I 2 R2
Hence,
VXY  IR
VXY
I
R
VXY
I1  I 2 
R
VXY VXY VXY
 
R1 R2 R
( R1 R2 )
R
( R1  R2 )

6
 (600 x3000)
(b) (i) Substituting value in, R   500 
(600  3000)
(600x600)
(ii) R   300 
(600  600)
1 1 1
(iii)  
R1 R2 R
1 1

R1 R
R  600 

(c) R/Ω

600

R2 / Ω
(d) (i) 1. When RLDR = 3000 Ω,
Effective R across parallel combined load, Reff is
(3000)(600)
Reff   500 
3000  600
500
VLDR  (12.0)  11.32 V
500  30
11.32
I LDR   3.77 mA
3000
2. Power dissipated, P = I2R
 
2
PLDR  3.77x103 (3000)  4.27x102 W

(d)(ii) When resistance of LDR drops to 100 Ω, the effective resistance across the
parallel combined load becomes,
(100)(600)
Reff 2   85.7 
100  600
Potential across LDR becomes,
85.7
VLDR 2  (12.0)  8.89 V
85.7  30
New power dissipated in the LDR is,
V 2 8.892
PLDR 2  LDR   0.79 W
RLDR 100
This exceeds power rating of LDR. Hence, LDR will be damaged.

7
 7. N01/III/11 (part)
LO(g) Fig. 11.1 shows a light-dependent resistor (LDR) in a potential divider circuit.

6V
A
0V

Fig. 11.1
Explain
(i) why the potential at A changes from high to low when the light illuminating the LDR
is switched off.
(ii) the reason for having a variable resistor in the circuit.
[4]
Solution:

(i) Resistance of LDR increases with reduced illumination.

Applying potential divider principle,
RV
VA  ( 6)
RV  RLDR
Hence, with an increase in RLDR, the potential at A decreases and changes from
high to low.
(ii) The variable resistor allows the potential at A to be adjusted for various lighting
conditions, triggering an external controller that responds to different degrees of
illumination.

8. N09/III/7

Current of (a) Electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential difference (p.d.) may both have the volt as
Electricity a unit.
(COE) (i) Define the volt [1]
(ii) By reference to energy transfers, distinguish between e.m.f. and p.d. [2]

COE (b) A cell of e.m.f. 1.5 V and internal resistance 0.25 Ω is connected in series with a
resistor R, as shown in Fig. 7.1.
1.5 V 0.25 Ω

0.24 A
R
metal wire
Fig. 7.1

8
 The resistor is made of metal wire.
A current of 0.24 A passes through R for a time of 5.0 minutes.

Calculate
(i) the charge that passes through the cell, [1]
(ii) the total energy transferred by the cell, [2]
(iii) the energy transferred in the resistor R, [3]
(iv) the resistance of R. [2]

LO(e) (c) A second similar cell is now connected in series with the cell in (b) and the resistor R.
The current in the circuit is 0.41 A and the resistance of R changes.

(i) Calculate the new resistance of R. [2]

(ii) Resistor R is made of metal wire. Suggest why the answers in (b)(iv) and
(c)(i) are different. [1]

LO(g) (d) The cells in (c) are now connected in series with a fixed resistor of resistance 2000 Ω
and a thermistor, as shown in Fig. 7.2.

2000 Ω

Fig. 7.2

The thermistor has resistance 4000 Ω at 0oC and 1800 Ω at 20oC.

(i) Explain why, in this circuit, the internal resistance of the cells may be considered
to be negligible. [1]
(ii) Determine the potential difference across the thermistor
1. at 0oC, [1]
2. at 20oC. [1]
(iii) In one particular application of the circuit of Fig. 7.2., it is desired that the
potential difference across the fixed resistor should range from 1.2 V at 0oC to 2.4
V at 20oC.
Determine whether, by substituting a different fixed resistor in the circuit of Fig.
7.2, it is possible to achieve this range of potential differences. [3]
(b)[72 C, 108 J, 104 J, 6.0 Ω]
(c)[6.8 Ω]
(d)[2.0 V, 1.4 V]

9
Solution:

(a)(i) One volt is the potential difference between two points in a circuit if one joule of
energy is converted from electrical to non-electrical form for one coulomb of positive
charge flowing between the two points in the circuit.

(ii) 1. e.m.f of a source is the electrical energy converted from non-electrical energy
and transferred from the source to the external circuit, when a unit positive charge
is driven round the complete circuit.

2. p.d. across a load is the electrical energy converted into non-electrical energy
when a unit positive charge flows through the load.

(b) (i) Q  It  (0.24)(5.0)(60)  72 C

(ii) Energy transferred = EQ = (1.5)(72) = 108 J
(iii) Energy loss in the internal resistance = Pt = I2rt
= (0.24)2(0.25)(5.0)(60)
= 4.32 J
Energy transferred in the resistor R = 108 – 4.32
= 103.7 J
= 104 J (3sf)
(iv) Similarly, energy loss in resistor R = Pt = I2Rt
R = 103.7/(0.24)2(5.0)(60)
R = 6.0 Ω

(c) (i) The total resistance in the circuit, Rtot = (1.5 + 1.5) / 0.41 = 7.317 Ω
New R = Rtot – 2(0.25) = 6.8 Ω
(ii) The current has increased from 0.24 A to 0.41 A. Hence, there will be more heating
in the wire causing more frequent collision between the drifting charges with lattice
atoms. This increases the wire’s resistivity.

(d)(i) The external loads of the thermistor and the 2000 Ω resistor has a minimum
combined load of 3800 Ω at 200C. This is many times higher than the combined internal
resistance of the two cells which is only 0.5 Ω.

4000
(ii)1. Vth  (3.0)  2.0 V
4000  2000
1800
2. Vth  (3.0)  1.4 V
1800  2000

(iii) A range of potential differences across the fixed resistor is needed. By applying
the potential divider principle at 00C, R = 2670 Ω. Similarly, at 200C, R = 7200 Ω.
Hence, there is no single value of fixed resistor that can satisfy both conditions.

10
 9. (Extra practice)
o o
LO(f), A thermistor has a resistance 3900  at 0 C and resistance 1250  at 30 C. The
LO(g) thermistor is connected into the circuit below in order to monitor temperature changes.

thermistor

1.50 V
R V

The battery of e.m.f. 1.50 V has negligible internal resistance and the voltmeter has
infinite resistance.
o
(a) The voltmeter is to read 1.00 V at 0 C. Show that the resistance of resistor R is
7800.
o
(b) The temperature of the thermistor is increased to 30 C. Determine the reading on the
voltmeter.
(c) The voltmeter in the figure is replaced with one having a resistance of 7800.
o
Calculate the reading on this voltmeter for the thermistor at a temperature of 0 C.
[7800 , 1.29 V, 0.75 V]

Solution:

(a) Using potential divider principle,

R
VR  (1.5)
R  Rtherm
R
1 (1.5)
R  3900
R  7800 

7800
(b) VR  (1.5)
7800  1250
VR  1.29 V

(c) Reff  7800 / /7800

Reff  3900 
Hence,
Vreff  0.75 V

11
 Potentiometer
10. N02/II/6

LO(h) (a) A uniform wire XY of length 120 cm and radius 0.55 mm is connected in series with a
cell of e.m.f. 3.0 V and internal resistance 0.70 Ω, as shown in Fig.6.1.

3.0 V 0.70 Ω

X Y

120 cm
Fig. 6.1

(i) The resistivity of the material of the wire is 1.1 x 10-6 Ω m. Show that the
resistance of the wire XY is 1.4 Ω.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference (p.d.) per unit length of XY. [5]

LO(h) (b) A cell C of e.m.f. 1.5 V and internal resistance 0.50 Ω is connected to the circuit of
Fig. 6.1, as shown in Fig. 6.2.

Fig. 6.2

The movable contact J can be connected to any point along the wire XY.

(i) Initially the contact J is connected to end Y. The p.d. across the wire XY is then
equal to the p.d. applied across cell C. On Fig. 6.2, mark with an arrow the direction
of current through cell C.
(ii) Determine the position of the contact J on XY such that there is no current through
the cell C.
(iii) Suggest one way in which the circuit in Fig. 6.2 may be modified so that the
position found in (ii) is nearer to end Y.
[5]

12
Solution:

(a)(i) R
L

1.1 10  1.2  1.4 
6

  0.55  10 
2
A 3

 1.4 
(a)(ii) VXY    3.0  2.0 V
 1.4  0.70 
2.0
P.d. per unit length of XY   1.67 V m-1
1.2

(b)(i) Current flowing into cell C through the positive terminal.

(b)(ii) At balance point, VXJ  1.5 V

1.5  1.67  LXJ

LXJ  0.90 m

(b)(iii) Add a suitable resistor in series with wire XY. This is to reduce the potential
gradient across XY.

Add a resistor in
series with wire XY

13
 11. (Extra practice)

LO(h) (a) In the circuit shown in Fig. 11.1, Cell A has an e.m.f. of 12.0 V and an internal
resistance r. A resistor S of resistance 2.0  is connected in series with Cell A. The
wire PQ has a length 120 cm and resistance 1.4 . Cell B of e.m.f. of 1.50 V and
internal resistance 7.0  is connected in series with a galvanometer.

12.0 V r 2.0 

Cell A Resistor S

120 cm
J
P Q

1.50 V 7.0 

Cell B
Fig.11.1

(i) When the balance length PJ is 40.0 cm, the galvanometer gives a zero reading.
Calculate the value of the internal resistance, r of Cell A.

(ii) Determine the value for the current through Cell B at balanced point.

LO(h) (b) A resistor R is now placed in parallel with Cell B as shown in Fig. 11.2.

12.0 V r 2.0 

Cell A Resistor S

120 cm
J
P Q

1.50 V 7.0 

Cell B

R Fig.11.2

14
(i) The balance length, PJ is now 12.0 cm when the galvanometer gives a zero
reading. Determine the resistance of R.

(ii) The balance point is found to be too near P resulting in high fractional error in the
determination of balance length, PJ. Suggest and explain how the value of resistor
S should be changed to improve the accuracy.
[0.33 , 0 A, 3.0 ]

Solution:

(a)(i) Using potential divider principle,

1.4
VPQ  (12)
1.4  2.0  r
40
But, VPJ  VPQ
120
At balanced point, there is no current in the external circuit.
VPJ  1.5 V
Therefore,
40 1.4
1.5  X (12)
120 1.4  2.0  r
r  0.33 

(ii) At balance point, current through Cell B is 0 A.

(b)(i) From figure 11.2, applying potential divider principle to external circuit,
R
VPJ  (1.5)
R7
Hence,
R 12 1.4
(1.5)  X (12)
R7 120 1.4  2.0  0.33
Solving,
R  3.0 

(ii) Increase the resistance of resistor S so as to reduce the p.d. per unit length at wire
PQ.
Hence, to produce the same p.d. across PJ, a greater balance length is required.

15