iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

IGCSE Resistance
S I made a silly slip

K I just did not know the

Practice Exam Questions science

R I misread the question

Improvement
E My writing was not clear/
Qu. Mark Max point detailed
SKREAM
A I did not apply the
1 19 knowledge

2 10 M I applied the maths

incorrectly

3 8

4 10

5 15

6 12

7 3

Total 77

Overall Comment

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)
Q1 A student investigates how the resistance of a wire depends on its length.

The photograph shows the circuit that the student uses.

(a) Draw a circuit diagram to show how the components in the photograph are connected.
(3)

(b) (i) Complete the table by naming the key variables in this investigation.
(1)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)
(ii) Describe the method the student should use for this investigation.
(5)
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(c) The table shows the student's measurements.

(i) State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance.

(1)

(ii) Complete the table by calculating the missing value of resistance.

(1)

(d) (i) Use the results from the table opposite to plot a graph of resistance (y-axis)
against length of wire (x-axis) and draw the line of best fit.
(5)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(ii) Write a conclusion for the investigation.

(1)

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(iii) Explain how the graph supports this conclusion.

(2)
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(Total for question = 19 marks)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q2. A student investigates how the resistance of a piece of wire changes with voltage across the wire.
The student connects an ammeter, a voltmeter, a battery, a variable resistor and thewire in an electrical
circuit.
(a) (i) Complete the diagram to show how the student should connect the circuit.
(3)

(ii) Describe what she should do to obtain a set of results for her investigation.
(3)
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(b) The student keeps the temperature of the wire constant during the investigation.
(i) Suggest why she does this.
(1)
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(ii) Suggest how she does this.

(1)
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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(c) When the student looks at her results, she notices that the voltage across the wire is directly
proportional to the current in it.
(i) State the relationship linking voltage, current and resistance.
(1)

(ii) The student calculates the resistance and then plots a graph of resistance against voltage.
On the axes, sketch the shape of her graph.
(1)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q3. The graph shows how current and voltage vary for a filament lamp.

(a) Draw a circuit diagram to show how you should connect the equipment needed to make the
measurements needed to plot the graph.
(4)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(b) The resistance of the filament lamp changes as the voltage is increased.

(i) How can you tell this from the graph?

(1)
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(ii) Explain these changes in resistance.

(3)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q4. A student has some LEDs connected in a circuit. They emit light of different colours.
(a) (i) The different colours of light are waves which must have
(1)
A the same amplitude in free space
B the same frequency in free space
C the same speed in free space
D the same wavelength in free space

(ii) When an LED is on, it shows that

(1)
A there must be alternating current in the circuit
B there must be a current in the circuit
C there is a fault in the LED
D a fuse has blown

(b) An LED needs a minimum voltage to make it emit light.

The student investigates this minimum voltage using the circuit shown.

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(i) The student uses a voltmeter to measure the voltage across the LED.
Add this voltmeter to the circuit diagram.
(2)
(ii) The student gradually increases the voltage across the LED and records the minimum voltage at which
the LED emits light. The results for some different LEDs are shown in the table.

Display the results of the student's investigation on the grid.

(4)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(iii) The student concludes:

Evaluate the student's conclusion.

(2)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q5. A student investigates how the resistance of a thermistor changes with temperature.
He measures a current and a voltage.

The diagram shows part of the circuit that the student uses.

(a) (i) Label the thermistor on the diagram.

(1)
(ii) Add to the diagram to show how a voltmeter should be connected.
(2)

(b) The student varies the temperature of the thermistor and obtains the results below.

(i) State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance.

(1)

(ii) The voltage across the thermistor is 12 V.

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor at 20 °C.
(2)

Resistance = ........................................................... Ω

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(iii) Use the results from the table opposite to plot a graph of current against temperature.
(5)

(iv) Use your graph to describe how the current in the thermistor changes as the temperature increases.
(2)
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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(v) The student concludes:

Evaluate this conclusion.

(2)
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(Total for question = 15 marks)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q6. A student investigates the resistance of a thermistor.

(a) Which of these is the correct symbol for a thermistor
(1)

(b) The student uses this apparatus to investigate how the resistance of a thermistor changes with
temperature.

(i) Explain why the student places the thermistor in a beaker of water.
(2)
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(ii) The student also uses a voltmeter and an ammeter.

How should the voltmeter and the ammeter be connected in his circuit?
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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)
(1)

(c) The table shows the student's results.

(i) Plot a graph of these results on the grid.

(4)
(ii) Circle the anomalous point on the graph.
(1)
(iii) Draw a curve of best fit.
(1)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

(d) (i) Why is the maximum temperature in the student's investigation limited to 100°C?
(1)
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(ii) Suggest how the student obtains readings below room temperature.
(1)
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(Total for question = 12 marks)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q7. A light dependent resistor (LDR) can be used as a sensor to detect light intensity.

Describe how the resistance of an LDR varies as the light intensity changes.

You may sketch a graph to help your answer.

(3)

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(Total for question = 3 marks)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Markschemes
Q1.

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

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iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q2.

19
iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q3.

20
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Q4.

21
iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)
Q5.

22
iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Q6.

23
iGCSE (Pre – 2017 Questions)

Total 12 marks
Q7.

24