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GCSE Physics · Topic Test
Electricity
FREE Online Physics GCSE Course60minutes
67marks
9questions
How it works
- Answer each question. Type into the boxes or pick an option, and use paper for working and drawings.
- Press Check my answers at the end of the question. Tick-box and number answers are marked for you.
- For written answers, compare yours with the mark scheme and tick each point you made. We highlight the key words we spot, but you decide, just like an examiner.
Which course are you taking?
Pick one and the page skips the question that isn’t on your course. Combined Science skips Question 9 (static). Physics (triple) skips Question 8 (the National Grid), which you meet in Magnetism and Electromagnetism.
You will need: paper, a pen, a pencil, a ruler and a calculator. Your answers save automatically in this browser.
1
Question 1
6 marksThe diagram shows a simple circuit.
Circuit 1
(a)
Calculate the total resistance of the two resistors in the circuit.
Ω
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Total resistance: 15 Ω
💡 That’s the rule for resistors in parallel. These are in series: just add them.
(b)
Calculate the reading on the voltmeter.
V
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Voltmeter reading: 4.5 V
💡 That’s the p.d. across the 9 Ω resistor only. The voltmeter is across both resistors: use 15 Ω.
💡 That’s the p.d. across the 6 Ω resistor only. The voltmeter is across both resistors: use 15 Ω.
💡 You divided. V = I × R, so multiply: 0.3 × 15.
Final answer not right? You can still earn method marks. Tick each step you wrote down (max 1):
(c)
One of the resistors is replaced with a resistor of higher value. What happens to the reading on the ammeter?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: A It decreases.
(d)
The voltmeter is replaced with an oscilloscope. Which one of the traces, X, Y or Z, would be seen on the oscilloscope?
Oscilloscope traces
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: B
Give a reason for your answer.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Only if you chose Y. Any one of these scores (max 1):
⚠️ “It is not changing” or “it is straight” on its own isn’t enough. Say it is direct (d.c.) or a constant potential difference.
2
Question 2
3 marksThe circuit diagram below includes a component labelled X.
Circuit 2
(a)
Calculate the potential difference across the 8 Ω resistor.
V
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Potential difference: 4 V
💡 You divided. V = I × R, so multiply: 0.5 × 8.
💡 Upside down. V = I × R = 0.5 × 8.
Final answer not right? You can still earn method marks. Tick each step you wrote down (max 1):
(b)
What is the potential difference across component X?
V
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Potential difference: 5 V (or 9 − your answer to (a))
💡 In series the 9 V is shared: 9 − (the p.d. across the 8 Ω resistor). If your (a) was wrong but you did 9 − (a), award it.
3
Question 3
6 marksThe circuit contains three identical lamps.
Circuit 3
(a)
The current at A is ______ the current at B.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: C
The current at A is ______ the current at D.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: B
The current at F is ______ the current at E.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: C
The current at F is ______ the current at D.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: A
(b)
Which lamp is the brightest?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: C
Give a reason for your answer.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Only if you chose lamp 3. Any one of these scores (max 1):
⚠️ “Not sharing the current” isn’t accepted: in series both lamps get the same current. It’s the p.d. (or energy) that lamps 1 and 2 share.
4
Question 4
2 marksThe graph shows how the resistance of component X changes with temperature.
Resistance of component X
(a)
What is component X?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Component X: thermistor
💡 An LDR responds to light. This graph shows resistance against temperature.
💡 A filament lamp’s resistance goes up as it gets hotter. Here it goes down.
(b)
Over which range of temperatures does the resistance of component X change the most?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: A 0 °C to 20 °C
5
Question 5
13 marksA student has designed the circuit shown in the diagram to measure the water level in a beaker. The student is going to use the ammeter to show the water level.
The water-level circuit
(a)
Name the three components J, K and L. Choose from: battery, cell, fuse, lamp, resistor, switch.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
J: fuse
K: switch
L: battery
💡 L has two cells joined together: that’s a battery.
(b)(i)
The resistance of the variable resistor changes as the cork moves up and down inside the beaker. This changes the electric current in the circuit.
What is meant by the term electric current?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ “Flow of electricity” or “flow of energy” doesn’t score. Current is the rate of flow of charge.
(b)(ii)
A voltmeter was mistakenly added to the circuit in series. The reading on the ammeter was zero. Suggest why.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(c)
The table gives the variable resistor value and the ammeter reading for different water levels. The table is not complete.
| Water level | Variable resistor value in ohms | Ammeter reading in amps |
|---|---|---|
| Full | 0 | 2.0 |
| Half full | 9 | 0.8 |
| Empty | 18 | ? |
Calculate the reading on the ammeter when the beaker is empty. Assume the ammeter, battery, fuse and wires have zero resistance.
Start by working out the battery’s potential difference from the “Full” row.
A
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Ammeter reading: 0.5 A
💡 You left out the 6 Ω resistor. The total resistance is 18 + 6 = 24 Ω. (0.67 A scores 2 marks: tick the steps below.)
💡 You used the 2.0 A as the battery p.d. Find the p.d. first: V = 2.0 × 6 = 12 V.
Final answer not right? You can still earn method marks. Tick each step you wrote down (max 2):
(d)
A second student copied the design using a 2 A fuse, but forgot to include the 6 Ω resistor.
What will happen to the fuse in this circuit as the water reaches the top of the beaker? Explain your answer.
(5 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ “The fuse blows” isn’t accepted. Say the fuse melts.
6
Question 6
11 marksA set of decorative lights has eight identical filament lamps connected in series to a 12 V supply.
The lights
(a)
Calculate the potential difference across each lamp.
V
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Potential difference: 1.5 V
💡 In series the 12 V is shared between the eight lamps.
💡 In series the p.d. is shared: divide by 8, don’t multiply.
(b)
The power of each lamp is 0.75 W. Calculate the resistance of each lamp.
Ω
(4 marks)
Mark scheme
Resistance: 3.0 Ω (error carried forward from (a) allowed)
💡 0.5 is the current through each lamp. One more step: R = V ÷ I.
💡 You did I = V ÷ P (upside down). Power = current × p.d., so I = 0.75 ÷ 1.5 = 0.5 A.
💡 You used 12 V. Each lamp only has 1.5 V across it.
Final answer not right? You can still earn method marks. Tick each step you wrote down (max 3):
(c)
A student wants to investigate how the resistance of a single filament lamp changes with the potential difference across it.
Describe a method the student could use. Draw the circuit diagram on paper.
(6 marks)
Mark scheme
Circuit diagram: tick each point you made
Method: tick each point you made
| 0 | No relevant content. | 0 |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Some relevant content, e.g. a partly correct circuit or a few relevant steps. The method would not give valid results. | 1–2 |
| Level 2 | A correct circuit or a clear method, with some steps missing or out of order. | 3–4 |
| Level 3 | A correct circuit and a clear, logical method that would give valid results, including how the resistance is found. | 5–6 |
Your mark:
Show a model answer
- Connect the filament lamp in series with an ammeter, a variable resistor and a power supply. Connect a voltmeter in parallel across the lamp.
- Switch on and record the current from the ammeter and the potential difference from the voltmeter.
- Adjust the variable resistor to change the potential difference, and record at least six pairs of readings over a wide range.
- Calculate the resistance for each pair of readings using R = V ÷ I.
- Repeat the readings and calculate a mean for each potential difference.
- Plot a graph of resistance against potential difference: the resistance increases as the potential difference increases, because the filament gets hotter.
7
Question 7
9 marksThe diagram shows an electric immersion heater in a hot water tank.
The information label on the immersion heater says: 230 V, 10 A.
Hot water tank
(a)
Write down the equation that links power, current and potential difference.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Equation: P = I × V (or power = current × potential difference)
💡 P = I²R is a real equation, but it links power, current and resistance.
💡 Use I for current, not C (C is the coulomb, the unit of charge).
(b)
Calculate the power of the heater and give the unit.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Power: 2300 (2.3 if your unit is kW)
💡 If your unit is kW, that’s right: tick the “means the same” box.
💡 You divided. Power = current × p.d. = 10 × 230.
Unit: W (or J/s; kW with 2.3)
(c)
There are three wires in the cable to the immersion heater. Two of the wires are connected to the immersion heater. The third wire is connected to the copper tank.
Explain the purpose of this third wire and of the fuse in the circuit.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Any three of these score (max 3):
(d)
Write down the equation that links potential difference, current and resistance.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Equation: V = I × R (or potential difference = current × resistance)
(e)
Calculate the resistance of the heater and give the unit.
Can’t type Ω? Type “ohms”.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Resistance: 23
💡 You multiplied. R = V ÷ I = 230 ÷ 10.
💡 Upside down: R = V ÷ I = 230 ÷ 10.
Unit: Ω (ohms)
8
Question 8
Combined Science only8 marksSkip this one. The National Grid is in your Magnetism and Electromagnetism topic, so it isn’t in your score here.
Combined Science only. Physics (triple) students: pick “Physics (triple)” at the top and this question folds away.
The diagram shows part of the National Grid.
The National Grid
(a)
Name the type of transformer at X and at Y.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
X: step-up (transformer)
💡 X comes straight after the power station and makes the p.d. bigger for the cables.
Y: step-down (transformer)
💡 Y is just before the homes and makes the p.d. smaller again.
(b)(i)
What does transformer X do to the potential difference?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: C increases it
(b)(ii)
What does transformer X do to the current?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: A decreases it
(c)
Explain why the National Grid transmits electricity at a very high potential difference.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ “Electricity is lost” or “no energy is lost” doesn’t score. Say less energy is transferred to the thermal store of the surroundings.
(d)
Suggest why transformer Y is needed before the electricity reaches homes.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
9
Question 9
Physics (triple) only9 marksSkip this one. Static electricity is only on the Physics (triple) course, so it isn’t in your score.
Physics (triple) only. Combined Science students: pick “Combined Science” at the top and this question folds away.
A student did an experiment with two strips of polythene. She held the strips together at one end. She rubbed down one strip with a dry cloth. Then she rubbed down the other strip with the dry cloth. Still holding the top ends together, she held up the strips.
The polythene strips
(a)
What movement would you expect to see?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: A The bottom ends move apart.
(b)
Why do the strips move in this way?
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ Rubbed polythene ends up negative: “both positive” doesn’t score.
⚠️ “Opposite charges attract” on its own doesn’t explain why they move apart.
(c)
Complete the four spaces in the passage.
Each strip has a negative charge. The cloth is left with a (1) ______ charge. This is because particles called (2) ______ have been transferred from the (3) ______ to the (4) ______.
(4 marks)
Mark scheme
(1): positive
(2): electrons
💡 Protons are stuck in the nucleus. Only electrons move when you rub.
(3): cloth
💡 The strips gained negative charge, so the electrons went to them, from the cloth.
(4): polythene (accept strips)
💡 The electrons went to the strips (that’s why they’re negative).
(d)(i)
The student tried the experiment using two strips of aluminium. The strips did not move.
Materials, such as aluminium, that electricity passes through easily are called ______.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: conductors (accept metals)
(d)(ii)
Materials, such as polythene, that electricity does not pass through easily are called ______.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: insulators (accept non-conductors; not “poor conductors” or “non-metals”)
Your results
0 / 67
| Question | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of | 6 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 67 |
| Your mark | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
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