Resistivity Q

Resistivity Past Exam Questions
1. (a) Show that the unit of resistivity is  m.
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(1)
(b) A cable consists of seven straight strands of copper wire each of diameter 1.35
mm as shown in the diagram.
stran d o f co p p er w ire
Calculate
(i) the cross-sectional area of one strand of copper wire,
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(ii) the resistance of a 100 m length of the cable, given that the resistivity of
copper is 1.6 × 10–8 m.
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(4)
(c) (i) If the cable in part (b) carries a current of 20 A, what is the potential
difference between the ends of the cable?
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(ii) If a single strand of the copper wire in part (b) carried a current of 20 A,
what would be the potential difference between its ends?
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(2)
(d) State one advantage of using a stranded rather than a solid core cable with copper
of the same total cross-sectional area.
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(1)
(Total 8 marks)
2. The cable shown in the diagram is used to transmit electricity and is made from strands
of steel wire and strands of aluminium wire. The strands of wire are in electrical contact
with each other along the length of the cable.
stran d o f ste el w ire
stran d of a lu m in iu m w ire
(a) Calculate the resistance of one strand of aluminium wire with a diameter of 3.2
mm and a length of 1.0km.
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(b) The resistance of one strand of steel wire in a 1.0 km length of cable is 19.9 .
Calculate the resistance of 1.0 km of the cable made up of seven strands of steel
wire and fifty four strands of aluminium wire.
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(Total 5 marks)
3. (a) Write down an equation relating the electrical resistivity of a material to the
resistance of a particular sample. Define the symbols used.
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(2)
(b) (i) A cylindrical sample of graphite 10mm long and with diameter 6.0 mm has
a resistance of 450 . Calculate the electrical resistivity of graphite.
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(ii) Calculate the resistance of a specimen of copper of the same dimensions as

that of the graphite specimen in part (b)(i).
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(5)
(Total 7 marks)
4. A 15 A fuse uses a 55 mm length of copper wire of diameter 0.508 mm.

Calculate the resistance of the copper wire at 20 °C.
resistivity of copper at 20 °C = 1.7 × 10–8 m
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(Total 3 marks)
5. (a) (i) Give the equation which relates the electrical resistivity of a conducting
material to its resistance. Define the symbols in the equation.
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(ii) A potential difference of 1.5 V exists across the ends of a copper wire of
length 2.0 m and uniform radius 0.40 mm. Calculate the current in the
wire.
resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–8  m
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(5)
(b) In the circuit shown, each resistor has the same resistance. The battery has an
e.m.f. of 12 V and negligible internal resistance.
A
12 V
(i) Calculate the potential difference between A and B.
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(ii) Calculate the potential difference between B and C.
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(iii) A high resistance voltmeter is connected between A and C. What is the

reading on the voltmeter?
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(5)
(Total 10 marks)
6. A heating element, as used on the rear window of a car, consists of three strips of a
resistive material, joined, as shown in the diagram, by strips of copper of negligible
resistance. The voltage applied to the unit is 12 V and heat is generated at a rate of 40
W.
+ 12 V 0V
co p p er
resistiv e m a te rial
(a) (i) Calculate the total resistance of the element.
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(ii) Hence show that the resistance of a single strip is about 11 .
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(5)
(b) If each strip is 2.6 mm wide and 1.1 mm thick, determine the length of each strip.
resistivity of the resistive material = 4.0 × 10–5  m
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(3)
(Total 8 marks)
7. (a) A metal wire of length 1.4 m has a uniform cross-sectional area = 7.8 × 10–7 m2.
Calculate the resistance, R, of the wire.
resistivity of the metal = 1.7 × 10–8 m
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(2)
(b) The wire is now stretched to twice its original length by a process that keeps its
volume constant. If the resistivity of the metal of the wire remains constant, show
that the resistance increases to 4R.
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(2)
(Total 4 marks)
8. (a) The resistivity of a material in the form of a uniform resistance wire is to be

measured. The area of cross-section of the wire is known.
The apparatus available includes a battery, a switch, a variable resistor, an

ammeter and a voltmeter.
(i) Draw a circuit diagram using some or all of this apparatus, which would
enable you to determine the resistivity of the material.
(ii) Describe how you would make the necessary measurements, ensuring that
you have a range of values.
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(iii) Show how a value of the resistivity is determined from your measurements.
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(9)
(b) A sheet of carbon-reinforced plastic measuring 80 mm × 80 mm × 1.5 mm has its

two large surfaces coated with highly conducting metal film. When a potential
difference of 240V is applied between the metal films, there is a current of 2.0 mA
in the plastic. Calculate the resistivity of the plastic.
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(3)
(c) If four of the units described in part (b) are connected as shown in the diagram,
calculate the total resistance of the combination.
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(2)
(Total 14 marks)
9. (a) A student wishes to measure the resistance of a fixed length of uniform constantan
wire. The apparatus available includes a battery, a switch, a milliammeter and a
voltmeter.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your
answer.
(i) Draw a circuit diagram using the apparatus listed above. Include in your
diagram an extra piece of apparatus which will enable a range of
measurements to be made.
(ii) State how the student should make the necessary measurements, ensuring
that a range of readings is recorded.
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(iii) Describe how the results would be used to determine an accurate value for
the resistance of the wire.
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(8)
(b) A heating element for an electric fire consists of a single strand of nichrome wire
wound around an insulator. The heater is required to produce 1.2 kW when
connected to the 230 Vrms ac mains.
(i) Calculate the working resistance of the nichrome wire.
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(ii) Calculate the length of nichrome wire required to make the element.
cross-sectional area of the wire = 9.4 × 10–8 m2

resistivity of nichrome = 1.1 × 10–6  m
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(5)
(Total 13 marks)
10. (a) Give an expression for the resistivity of a material in the form of a uniform
wire.
Define all the symbols used.
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(2)
(b) A thin film of carbon may be used in some electronic systems. Typical dimensions
of such a film are shown in Figure 1.
I I
8 .0 × 1 0 – 3 m
2 .0 × 1 0 – 6 m
3 0 × 1 0 –3 m
Figure 1
(i) Calculate the resistance of the carbon film to a current I passing through it
as shown in Figure 1.
resistivity of carbon = 4.0 × 10–5  m
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(ii) Without recalculating the resistance of the carbon film, explain how you
would expect the resistance to change if the current flowed as in Figure 2.
You should consider the numerical ratio or factor by which each dimension
affecting the resistance has changed.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in

your answer.
Figure 2
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(4)
(Total 6 marks)
11. (a) For a conductor in the form of a wire of uniform cross-sectional area, give an
equation which relates its resistance to the resistivity of the material of the conductor.
Define the symbols used in the equation.
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(2)
(b) (i) An electrical heating element, made from uniform nichrome wire, is
required to dissipate 500 W when connected to the 230 V mains supply.
8
The cross-sectional area of the wire is 8.0 × 10 m2. Calculate the length of
nichrome wire required.
6
resistivity of nichrome = 1.1 × 10  m
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(ii) Two heating elements, each rated at 230 V, 500 W are connected to the 230
mains supply
(A) in series,
(B) in parallel.
Explain why only one of the circuits will provide an output of 1 kW.
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(6)
(Total 8 marks)
12. A heating unit as used on the rear window of a car consists of five strips of resistive
material joined at either end by strips of copper of negligible resistance, shown in the
diagram below. Heat is generated at a rate of 45 W when the unit is connected to a 12 V
car battery.
(a) (i) Calculate the total resistance of the unit.
total resistance = ..........................
(ii) Show that the resistance of each strip is about 16Ω.
(4)
(b) If each resistive strip is 2.5 mm wide and of length 0.80 m, determine the
thickness of each strip.
Resistivity of the resistive material = 5.0 × 10–5 Ωm.
thickness = ....................................
(3)
(c) The rear window heater on a car is sometimes set to be switched off automatically
after a period of time to prevent draining the battery.
If the charge stored in a fully charged battery is 1.44 × 105 C, how long, in hours,
would it take to fully drain the battery with the heater?
time = ...........................hours
(3)
(Total 10 marks)
13. (a) Some materials exhibit the property of superconductivity under certain conditions.
• State what is meant by superconductivity.
• Explain the required conditions for the material to become superconducting.
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(3)
(b) The diagram below shows the cross–section of a cable consisting of parallel
filaments that can be made superconducting, embedded in a cylinder of copper.
(i) The cross–sectional area of the copper in the cable is 2.28 × 10–7 m2. The
resistance of the copper in a 1.0 m length of the cable is 0.075 Ω. Calculate
the resistivity of the copper, stating an appropriate unit.
answer = ......................................................
(3)
(ii) State and explain what happens to the resistance of the cable when the
embedded filaments of wire are made superconducting.
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(3)
(Total 9 marks)
14. A car battery has an emf of 12 V and an internal resistance of 9.5 × 10–3 Ω. When the
battery is used to start a car the current through the battery is 420 A.
(a) Calculate the voltage across the terminals of the battery, when the current through
the battery is 420 A.
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answer ........................................... V
(2)
(b) The copper cable connecting the starter motor to the battery has a length of 0.75m
and cross-sectional area of 7.9 × 10–5 m2. The resistance of the cable is 1.6 × 10–3
Ω.
Calculate the resistivity of the copper giving an appropriate unit.
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answer .................................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
RA Ωm 2
1. (a)  = l  m  m 1
(b) (i) A = 1.43 × 10–6 m2 (1)
1.6  10 –8  10 2
–6
(ii) Rstrand = 1.4  10 = 1.1 (1)
1.12
Rcable = 7 (1) = 0.16 (1)
alternative (ii):
A = 7 (1) × 1.4 × 10–6
substitution (1)
leading to Rcable = 0.16  (1) 4
(c) (i) V = 3.2 V (1)
(ii) V = 7 × 3.2 V = 22V (1) 2
(d) cable is flexible (*)

one strand fails, cable continues to conduct (*)
larger surface area so better heat dissipation etc (*)
(*) any one (1) 1
[8]
 l  2.65  10 –8  1.0  10 3  4
 
2. (a) R A  =   (3.2  10 – 3 ) 2 (1)
= 3.3(0)  (1)
1 54 1 7
(b) RAl = 3.3 (1) Rsteel = 19.9
 1 1 1 
   
 R tot RAl Rsteel  = 0.06(0) (1)
[5]
RA
3. (a)  = 1 (1)
R = resistance of specimen, l = length, A = cross–sectional area (1) 2
(b) (i) A = 2.8 × 10–5 m2 (1)
450  2.8  10 –5

0.010 = 1.3 (1) m (1)
(ii)  = 1.7 × 10–8 (m) (1)
R = 6.0 × l0–6 (1) 5

[7]
4. A = 2.0 × 10–7 (m2) (1)

 l  1.7  10 –8  5.5  10 –2
 
R A = 2.0  10 – 7 (1) = 4.6 × 10–3 (1)
[3]
RA
5. (a) (i) resistivity defined by  = l (1)
RA
symbols defined l
8
l 1.7  10  2
3 2
(ii) R = A =  (0.4  10 ) (1)
= 0.068 ()(1) (0.0676 )
1. 5
I = .068 = 22 A (1)
0 (22.2 A)
(allow e.c.f. from value of R) 5
2
(b) (i) pdAB = 3 × 12 = 8 V (1) (1)
1
 12
(ii) pdBC = ( 3 ) = 4 V (1)
(iii) pdAC = potential at A – potential at C (1)

= (8 – 4) = 4 V (1)
(allow e.c.f. from (i) and (ii) ) 5
[10]
V2 144
6. (a) (i) P = R = gives 40 = RT (1)
RT = 3.6  (1)
[or P = VI to give I = 3.3 (A) (1) and R = P/I2 = 3.7  (3.67 ) (1)]
(ii) three resistors in parallel (1)
1 1 1 1 3
  
RT R + R R R (1)
R = 3.6 × 3 = 10.8 () (1)
(allow C.E. for RT from (i)) 5
l 4.0 10 5 l
 gives) 3 3
(b) (use of R = A 10.8 = 2.6 10  1.1 10 (1)
10.8  2.6  10 3 1.110 3

l= 4.0 10 5 (1)
= 0.77 m (1) (allow C.E for R from (a)(ii) 3

[8]
l
7. (a) R = A (1)
1.7  10 8  1.4
7
= 7.8  10 = 0.031  (1) (0.0305 ) 2
(b) constant volume gives l1A1 = l2A2

[or l2 = 2l1 and A2 = A1/2] (1)
 2l
R = A / 2 =4R (1)
[or calculation with l2 = 2.8 (m) and A2 = 3.9 (m2) (1)]
gives R = 0.124  (1)] 2
[4]
8. (a) (i)
A A
w ire
V V
(1) battery, wire, (variable resistor) and ammeter in series
(1) voltmeter connected across wire
(ii) () (with switch closed) measure I and V (1)

move contact along the wire (1) (or length of wire changed)
measure new (I and) V (1)
measure l each time (1)
or () measure I and V (1)

change variable resistor (1)
measure new I and V (1)
l known (1)
l RA A V
R or  = or  = 
(iii) A l l I (1)
() obtain gradient of graph of V or R vs l (1)
A (and I) known, hence  (1)
or () gradient of graph of V vs I (1)

A and l known, hence  (1)
V
[or, for both methods, measure R = I for each length (1)
take mean and hence  (1) 9
240
3
(b) (use of V = IR gives) R = 2  10 (1) ( = 120  103 ())
 RA  120  10 3  80  80  10 6
 
=  l = 1.5  10 3 (1)
(allow C.E. for value of R)
= 5.1  105  m (1) 3
(c) four resistors in series (1)

R = 4  (120  103) = 4.8  105  (1)
(allow C.E. for value of R) 2
[14]
9. (a) (i) battery, milliammeter, and wire in series (1) (1)

voltmeter across the wire (1)
variable resistor/potential divider in series (1)
(ii) alter variable resistor (1)

to obtain a series of values of I and V (1) QWC 1
(iii) plot a graph of V against I (1)

gradient = R (1) QWC 1
[or calculate R = V/I for each reading and take mean] 8
V2 230 2
(b) (i) (P = R gives) 1200 = R
R = 44.1 (1)
l
(ii) R = A (1)
44.1  9.4  10 –8
–6
l = 1.1  10 (1)
= 3.8 m (1)
(allow C.E. for value of R in (i)) 5
[13]
RA
10. (a) = l (1)
R = resistance (of wire), A = cross-sectional area, l = length (of wire) (1) 2
l 4.0  10 5  30  10 3

(b) (i) R= A 8  10 3  2  10 6 (1)
= 75  (1)
(ii) length has decreased causing resistance to decrease (1)

area increased, causing resistance to decrease (1)
each changed by factor of 1.5 × 103 (1) 4
QWC 1
[6]
l
11. (a) R = A (1)
 is resistivity, l is the length of the wire, A is the cross-sectional area (1) 2
V2
(b) (i) P = R (1)
230 2
R = 500 = 106()(1) (105.8 )
 RA  105.8  8.0  10 –8
 
   1.1  10 – 6
l= = = 7.7 m (1) (7.69 m)
(allow C.E. for incorrect value of R )
(ii) in series, voltage across each < 230 V or pd shared (1)

power (= V2/R) is less than 500 W in each (1)
in parallel, voltage across each = 230 V (1)
correct rating, conclusion (1)
[or, in series, high resistance or combined resistance (1)
low current (1)
in parallel, resistance is lower, higher current (1)
more power, justified (1)] max 6
[8]
12. (a) (i) R (= V2/P) = 122/45 (1)
R = 3.2Ω (1)
(ii) (resistive strips are in parallel)
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 … = 5/R (1)
RT (= 5 × 3.2) = 16Ω (1) 4

(b) (using R = pl/A and A = wt)
thickness = pl/wR (1)
= 3 × 10–5 × 0.80/2.5 × 10–3 × 16 (1)
= 0.60 mm (1) 3
(c) I (= P/V) = 45/12 = 3.75 A (1)
t (Q/I) = 1.44 × 10–5/3.75 = 3.84 × 104s (1)
3.84 × 104/60 × 60 = 10.7 hr (1) 3

[10]
13. (a) superconductivity means a material has zero resistivity/resistance (1)
resistivity decreases with temperature or idea of cooling (1)
becomes superconducting when you reach the critical/certain/

transition temperature (1) 3
(b) (i) (use of R = ρl/A)
0.075 = ρ × 1/(2.28 × 10–7) (1) (must see working or equation)
R = 1.7 × 10–8 (1) Ωm (1)
(ii) max 3 from
the resistance decreases (to zero) (1)
copper still has resistance (1)
but this is in parallel with filaments (which have zero resistance) (1)
hence total resistance is zero (1)
current goes through filaments (1) 6

[9]
14. (a) (use of E = V + Ir)
12 = V + 420 × 0.0095 (1)

V = 8.0(1)V (1) 2
(b) ρ = RA/I = 1.6 × 10–3 × 7.9 × 10–5/0.75 (1)
R = 1.7 × 10–7 (1) Ωm (1) 3

[5]

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Resistivity Past Exam Questions

1. (a) Show that the unit of resistivity is  m.

(i) the cross-sectional area of one strand of copper wire,

what would be the potential difference between its ends?

stran d o f ste el w ire

(ii) Calculate the resistance of a specimen of copper of the same dimensions as

4. A 15 A fuse uses a 55 mm length of copper wire of diameter 0.508 mm.

resistivity of copper at 20 °C = 1.7 × 10–8 m

resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–8  m

(i) Calculate the potential difference between A and B.

(ii) Calculate the potential difference between B and C.

(iii) A high resistance voltmeter is connected between A and C. What is the

(a) (i) Calculate the total resistance of the element.

(ii) Hence show that the resistance of a single strip is about 11 .

resistivity of the resistive material = 4.0 × 10–5  m

8. (a) The resistivity of a material in the form of a uniform resistance wire is to be

The apparatus available includes a battery, a switch, a variable resistor, an

(b) A sheet of carbon-reinforced plastic measuring 80 mm × 80 mm × 1.5 mm has its

(i) Calculate the working resistance of the nichrome wire.

cross-sectional area of the wire = 9.4 × 10–8 m2

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in

(a) (i) Calculate the total resistance of the unit.

total resistance = ..........................

(ii) Show that the resistance of each strip is about 16Ω.

Resistivity of the resistive material = 5.0 × 10–5 Ωm.

• State what is meant by superconductivity.

• Explain the required conditions for the material to become superconducting.

Calculate the resistivity of the copper giving an appropriate unit.

(b) (i) A = 1.43 × 10–6 m2 (1)

(c) (i) V = 3.2 V (1)

(ii) V = 7 × 3.2 V = 22V (1) 2

(d) cable is flexible (*)

R = resistance of specimen, l = length, A = cross–sectional area (1) 2

(b) (i) A = 2.8 × 10–5 m2 (1)

(ii)  = 1.7 × 10–8 (m) (1)

R = 6.0 × l0–6 (1) 5

4. A = 2.0 × 10–7 (m2) (1)

(iii) pdAC = potential at A – potential at C (1)

(ii) three resistors in parallel (1)

R = 3.6 × 3 = 10.8 () (1)

(allow C.E. for RT from (i)) 5

10.8  2.6  10 3 1.110 3

= 0.77 m (1) (allow C.E for R from (a)(ii) 3

(b) constant volume gives l1A1 = l2A2

(ii) () (with switch closed) measure I and V (1)

or () measure I and V (1)

or () gradient of graph of V vs I (1)

(c) four resistors in series (1)

9. (a) (i) battery, milliammeter, and wire in series (1) (1)

(ii) alter variable resistor (1)

(iii) plot a graph of V against I (1)

[or calculate R = V/I for each reading and take mean] 8

(ii) length has decreased causing resistance to decrease (1)

(ii) in series, voltage across each < 230 V or pd shared (1)

12. (a) (i) R (= V2/P) = 122/45 (1)

(ii) (resistive strips are in parallel)

1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 … = 5/R (1)

RT (= 5 × 3.2) = 16Ω (1) 4

(b) (using R = pl/A and A = wt)