2020

CELLS AND SIMPLE CIRCUITS

TEACHERS OF PHYSICS
www.teachersofphysics.com
10/15/2020
1. Distinguish between a primary cell and a secondary cell.
Primary cells
✓ These are cells which cannot be recharged for use again e.g. simple cell.
Secondary Cells:
✓ These are rechargeable cells e.g the Lead-acid accumulator and the Nickel-alkaline accumulator.

2. Define the term “e.m.f” of a cell. (1mk)

✓ Electromotive force (E.m.f) refers to voltage across the terminals of a battery in an open circuit
(when no current flows in the circuit).

3. Distinguish between electromotive force and potential difference (2mks)

✓ Electromotive force (E.m.f) refers to voltage across the terminals of a battery in an open circuit
(when no current flows in the circuit).
✓ Potential difference (Pd) refers to the voltage across the terminals of a battery in a closed circuit
(when current is flowing in the circuit).

4. State one major difference between a primary cell and a secondary cell(1mk)
✓ Primary cells cannot be recharged for use again while Secondary Cells are rechargeable.

5. State the major difference between a dry cell and a wet cell (1mk)
✓ Dry cells uses solid electrolyte while wet cells uses solution of an electrolyte.
✓ Dry cell has no liquid while wet cell have liqiud.

6. State two advantages and one disadvantage of alkaline cells over lead acid
accumulator. (3mk)
Advantages
a. Large currents can be drawn from them over a short period of time.
b. They require very little attention to maintain.
c. They are lighter (more portable) than the Lead – acid accumulators.
d. They can be kept in a discharged condition for a very long time before the cells are ruined.
Disadvantage
a. They are very expensive.
b. They have a lower e.m.f per cell.

7. Name two advantages which a lead accumulator has over a dry cell (2mk)
a. lead accumulator is rechargeable
b. Large currents can be drawn from them over a short period of time.

8. Give a reason why it is necessary to leave the caps of the cells open when
charging an accumulator. (1mk)
✓ To allow gases to escape(02 and H2)
9. State the reason for topping up a lead acid accumulator with distilled water.
(1mk)
✓ The addition of distilled water into a lead acid accumulator to improve on the ion
concentration.
✓ Distilled water has been filtered to remove metals and minerals that may interfere with the
process of the accumulator.

10. Give a reason why it is not advisable to smoke a cigarette near a charging
battery. (1mk)
✓ Batteries produces explosive gases i.e hydrogen gas, therefore sparks and flame from burning
cigarettes can ignite fire.

11. It is common practice that once an accumulator is recharged the terminals are
connected using a wire so as to assess its state of charge. How is this
dangerous to the life of the accumulator?
✓ Can cause fire or explosion.

www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020

12. Recharging is one of the practices of maintenance of accumulators. State two
measurements, which need to be taken to help you decide when an
accumulator is due for charging.

✓ Density of the acid.

✓ E.M.F of the cell.
✓ Level of the acid.

13. State two qualities that are used to determine whether accumulator require
charging or not. (2mks)
✓ E.m.f of the cell drops below 1.8V
✓ Relative density of the acid falls below 1.12 (using a hydrometer)

14. The figure below shows a simple cell made of copper and zinc electrodes dipped
in dilute sulphuric acid.
Bulb

Zinc plate Copper plate

DilH2SO4

a) Identify the cathode and the anode. (2 mks)

Cathode ………Zinc………..
Anode …………Copper…….
b) State the two common defects in a simple cell. (2 mks)
✓ Polarization
✓ Local action
c) Explain how the defects in b) are minimized. (2 mks)
Ways of correcting Polarization defect:
• Addition of potassium dichromate (depolarizer). Oxygen from the depolarizer combines with the hydrogen
atoms to produce water.
• Removing copper plate and brushing off the gas bubbles.

Ways of correcting Local action defect:

• Use of pure zinc.
• Coating zinc with mercury (amalgamation).

15. The figure below shows the set – up for a simple cell.
Bulb

A Copper plate

Dil H2SO4

(i) Name the electrode A. (1 mk)

✓ Zinc plate
(ii) Explain why the bulb goes off after only a short time.
www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020
 ✓ The bulbs went off due to polarization effect, in which hydrogen bubbles were
formed on the copper electrode which formed insulation around the copper
electrode therefore blocking the easy flow of current
16. Differentiate between local action and polarization as defects in a simple
chemical cell (1mk)
Polarization – accumulation of bubbles around the copper plate (positive plate).
Local action– the zinc plate is depleted (eaten away) as it reacts with dilute sulphuric acid.
17. State how polarization is reduced in a dry cell (1mk)
✓ Addition of potassium dichromate (depolarizer). Oxygen from the depolarizer combines with the hydrogen
atoms to produce water.
✓ Removing copper plate and brushing off the gas bubbles.
18. Explain how polarization affects the working of a simple cell. (1mk)
✓ This defect provides insulation to the flow of current and also sets up some “local” cells with copper whose
electron flow tends to oppose the flow of electrons from the zinc plate.
✓ The overall effect is increase in the internal resistance of the cell, which reduces the flow of current.
19. Distinguish between open and closed circuit. (2mk)
A closed circuit is a circuit that allows charges to move in a complete path when the switch is closed.
An open is a circuit that does not allow charges to move in a complete path such a circuit.
20. Draw a well labeled diagram of a dry cell

21. The figure below shows the features of a dry Leclanche cell. Name parts A, B, C
and D +
A = ………Carbon rod...........................
B = ……Zinc case..………………………
(4mk)
C = …Ammonium chloride paste…

D=Manganese (iv)oxide and carbon

p[owder………………………………
-

(ii) Indicate on the same diagram the positive (+) and the negative (-) terminals.
(1mk)
22. State the use of manganese (IV) oxide in a dry cell (1mk)
✓ Manganese (IV) oxide and act as the depolarizer.
✓ Oxidises the hydrogen gas to water Or Reduce polarization.

23. State two precautionary measures you would take to maintain the efficiency of
an accumulator.
a. The level of the electrolyte should be checked regularly and maintained above the plates. Topping should be done by
distilled water; NOT ACID!
b. Large currents should not be drawn from the battery for a long time.
c. Shorting/ overcharging of the accumulator should be avoided.
d. The terminals should always be kept clean and greased.
www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020
e. The accumulator should not be directly placed on the ground during storage. It should be rested on some insulator like a
wooden block.

24. State the advantage of Nickel-cadmium battery over the lead -acid type.

✓ They have a much longer life than the lead-acid ones.

✓ They supply larger amounts of current and for a longer period.
✓ Can be left unused for months without any damage.
25. Give a reason why it is not advisable to arrange cells in parallel unless they
have identical e.m.f .

❖ When cells are in parallel arrangement their e.m.f. is the same as the e.m.f. of one cell.
❖ Current is supplied for a longer time in parallel connection of cells.

Note: Cells should be arranged in parallel only when they have the same e.m.f otherwise one will drain the other.
26. A form two student found his dry cells leaking on removing them from his torch.
He asked his friend what could be the cause of this. What answer did his friend
provide?
✓ The depolarizer manganese (IV) oxide has oxidized hydrogen gas produced during polarization to water.

27. Figure below represents a simple circuit diagram containing cells of e.m.f 1.5V
each.

(i) What does component C represent. (1mk)

✓ Bulb/filament lamp
(ii) Determine the reading of V when the switch is open. (1mk)
=3.0V *
28. State the changes in brightness of the bulbs in the circuit diagram as the
switches X1, X2 and X3 are switched on one after the other.

X1

X2

X3

(i) X1 is closed.
Only upper will light;
(ii) X2 is closed.
The upper and second upper bulb lights but with more brightness compared to a (i)because of decrease in
resistance.
(iii) X3 is closed.
All Bulb will light with same brightness more brightness compared to a (ii).

29. Fig (a) and (b) show two possible arrangements of a bulb to a source of power.

www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020

a b
 In which of the arrangement above would the cells drain faster. Explain your
answer. (2mk)
(a)
✓ Connecting cells in series increases the e.m.f and current in the circuit is higher.
✓ When cells are in parallel arrangement their e.m.f. is the same as the e.m.f. of one cell.
✓ Current is supplied for a longer time in parallel connection of cells.
✓ Cells should be arranged in parallel only when they have the same e.m.f otherwise one will drain the other.

30. A battery is rated 120AH. How long will it work if it steadily supplies a current
of 4A. (2mk)

𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 × 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠

120 𝐴𝐻 = 4 𝐴 × 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
120 𝐴𝐻
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = = 30 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
4𝐴

31. Calculate the amount of current flowing through a bulb if 720C of charges flow
through it in 200 seconds.

Charge , Q
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 =
Time , t
720
I=
200

= 3.6 A

32. Calculate the amount of current flowing through a bulb if 300C of charges flow
through it in 2.5 minutes.

Charge , Q
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 =
Time , t
300
I=
2.5 × 60

= 2A

33. Find the time takes for a charge of 960C to pass through a conductor where a
current of 4A is flowing.

Charge , Q
Time , t =
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼
960
I=
4

= 240 Secs

34. If 180C of charge flows through a circuit in one minute. Find the current
through the circuit.
www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020
 Charge , Q
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 =
Time , t
180
I=
1 × 60

= 3A
35. Calculate the amount of charge passing through a point in a circuit if a current
of 5A flows for 1.5 minutes.

Charge , 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 × Time , 𝑡

=5×(1.5×60)
=450 C
36. A current of 4.8A was passed through an electrolyte for ½ hours. Calculate
the quantity of electricity used.

Charge , 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 × Time , 𝑡

=4.8×(0.5×60)
=144 C

37. A charge of magnitude 1200C flows through a point in 15 minutes. Calculate

the current. (2mks)

Charge , Q
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 =
Time , t
1200
I=
15 × 60

= 1.3333 A
38. A current of 0.5A flows in a circuit. Determine the quantity of charge that
crosses a point in 4 minutes.

Charge , 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 × Time , 𝑡

=0.5×(4×60)
=120 C
39. A current of 2 A passes through bulb Q for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Determine
the quantity of charge through Q (2mk)

Charge , 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 × Time , 𝑡

=2×(2.5×60)
=300 C

40. A charge of magnitude 12  10 3 C flows through a point in 15 minutes. Calculate

the current. (2mks)

Charge , Q
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼 =
Time , t
12 × 10ᵌ
I=
15 × 60
= 13.3333 A
41. A charge of 360 coulombs flows through a lamp every minute. Calculate the
number of electrons involved (electron charge is 1.6x10-19C). (3 mk)
www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020
 1C=6.25x1018electrons
360/1.6 x10-19 = X

360
X= x6.25x1018
1.6x10−19

=2.25x1021 x6.25x1018electrons
=14.0625 x1039 electrons

www.teachersofphysics.com Copyright © 2020