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Components in Series & Parallel Circuits

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Section 2. Electricity
Topic Components in Series & Parallel Circuits
Difficulty Easy

Time Allowed 40
Score /26
Percentage /100

Check your answers

Page 1 of 12

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Question 1a
The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is
A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
[1 mark]

Page 2 of 12

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Question 1b
The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is
A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
[1 mark]

Page 3 of 12

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Question 1c
The diagram shows an I−V graph for an electrical component.

The component which produces this variation of current with potential difference is
A. a fixed resistor
B. a filament lamp
C. a diode
D. a fuse
[1 mark]

Page 4 of 12

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Question 2a
The diagram shows a lighting circuit in a house.

Component X is
A. a double insulated wire
B. an earth connection
C. a fuse
D. a switch
[1 mark]

Question 2b
Most lamps at home have their own switch.
This is because the lamps are connected
A. in parallel
B. in series
C. to a fuse
D. to an earth wire
[1 mark]

Page 5 of 12

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Question 2c
Place ticks next to the two advantages of series circuits.
They are more difficult to install, repair and maintain
They are the easiest type of circuit to install, repair and maintain
They do not overheat easily because they share the same current
Adding too many lamps may cause overheating
[2 marks]

Question 2d
Place ticks next to the two advantages of parallel circuits.

If one lamp fails, other lamps will still function

If one lamp fails, other lamps will not function
Different lamps can have different brightnesses and not affect the others
Not all lamps have the same brightness
[2 marks]

Page 6 of 12

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Question 3a
The diagram shows a series circuit.

Which of the following shows the correct relationship between the readings on ammeters A1, A2 and A3?
A. A 1 = A 2 + A 3

B. A 1 = A 2 = A 3

C. A 1 = A 2 − A 3

D. A 1 = A 3 − A 2

[1 mark]

Page 7 of 12

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Question 3b
Complete the sentences to explain how a fuse protects a circuit.

larger than smaller than melts falls off starts stops overheating overexciting

When the current becomes ........................... the value of the fuse, the fuse wire ........................... . This ........................... the
flow of current in the circuit.
This is an important safety feature in a circuit to prevent the wires in the circuit from ........................... .
[3 marks]

Question 4a
A student investigates how the resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature.
Draw the circuit symbol for a thermistor.
[1 mark]

Page 8 of 12

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Question 4b
A light-dependent resistor (LDR) can be used as a sensor to detect light intensity.
Sketch a graph on the axes below to show how the resistance of an LDR varies as the light intensity changes.

[3 marks]

Page 9 of 12

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Question 5a
A student has some LEDs connected in a circuit. They emit light of different colours.
When an LED is on it shows that
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
[1 mark]

Page 10 of 12

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Question 5b
The diagram shows a circuit containing five LEDs connected in parallel.

What is the current at X?

A. 0.17 A
B. 0.26 A
C. 0.43 A
D. 1.38 A
[1 mark]

Question 5c
(i) State the equation linking power, current and voltage.
(1)
(ii) Calculate the power of the LEDs. The voltage of the battery is 12 V.
(2)

Power = .................... W
[3 marks]

Page 11 of 12

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Question 5d
(i) State the equation linking power, energy transferred and time.
(1)
(ii) Calculate the amount of energy transferred by the LEDs in 300 seconds.
(3)

Energy transferred = .......................... J

[4 marks]

Page 12 of 12

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