Madeley High School

B+ Exam Qs Mains electricity

Q1.

Name:_______________________________________

(a) Describe the difference between an alternating current (a.c.) and a direct current
(d.c.).
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

The diagram shows the information plate on the bottom of an electric wallpaper
steamer.

(i)

Use the equation in the box to calculate the current used by the steamer.
power = current potential difference

Show clearly how you work out your answer. Give the unit
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Current ..............................
(3)

(ii)

Which one of the following fuses should be used inside the plug of the
steamer?
Draw a ring around your answer.
1A

3A

5A

10 A

13 A
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 1

Madeley High School

Q2.
(a)
The picture shows a person using a set of electronic Body Fat Scales. When the
person stands on the scales, a small, harmless, electric current passes through the persons body.
The scales then calculate the resistance of the persons body and convert the resistance into a
prediction of body fat content.

(i)

The scales contain two 3 V cells joined in series.

Calculate the resistance of a persons body, if when he stands on the scales, a
current of 0.12 mA passes through his body.
1000 mA = 1 A
Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Resistance = .............................................................
(3)

(ii)

The scales can only produce a prediction of body fat content and not an
accurate measurement.
Suggest why.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 2

Madeley High School

(iii)

It is recommended that the scales are not used immediately after a person
has drunk a large amount of water.
Suggest why.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

The diagram shows how someone could get an electric shock from accidentally
cutting into an electric cable. If this happens, and a Residual Current Circuit Breaker
(RCCB) is being used, the circuit will switch off automatically.

(i)

A faulty appliance or circuit can be switched off by a RCCB or a fuse.

Compare the action of a RCCB with the action of a fuse.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 3

Madeley High School

(ii)

The graph shows how the severity of an electric shock depends on the size of
the current and the time that the current flows through the body.

Using the RCCB helps prevent an electric shock seriously injuring the person
using the hedge trimmers.

Using information from both the diagram and the graph explain how.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 4

Madeley High School

Q3.

In the UK mains electricity is a 230 volt a.c. supply.

(a)

What is the frequency of the a.c. mains electricity in the UK?

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

(i)

What is an electric current?

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Explain the difference between an a.c. (alternating current) electricity supply

and a d.c. (direct current) electricity supply.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

A householder has a 10.8 kW electric shower installed in the bathroom.

(i)

Calculate the current drawn from the mains electricity supply by the shower.
Write down the equation you use, and then show clearly how you work out
your answer.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Current = .................................... A
(2)

Page 5

Madeley High School

(ii)

The table gives the maximum current that can safely pass through electric
cables of different cross-sectional area.

Cross-sectional
area
in mm 2

Maximum safe
current
in amps

1.0

11.5

2.5

20.0

4.0

27.0

6.0

34.0

10.0

46.0

16.0

62.0

The existing power sockets in the house are wired to the mains electricity
supply using 2.5 mm2 cable.
Use the data in the table to explain why the shower must not be connected to
the mains electricity supply using 2.5 mm2 cable.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

The circuit connecting the shower to the mains electricity supply must include
a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) and not a fuse.
Give two advantages of using a RCCB to protect a circuit rather than a fuse.
1 ............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
2 ............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 6

Madeley High School

Q4.

Carefully read the following extract from a safety leaflet. Then answer the questions.

An RCD adaptor is an automatic safety switch. It should be used when there is a

particular risk of electric shock. For example, it is recommended that it is used
with an electric lawnmower.
Inside one make of RCD is an electromagnet that holds the switch closed so that
the RCD is switched on. An electronic circuit in the RCD monitors the difference
between the current in the live wire and the current in the neutral wire.
If something goes wrong and this difference is greater than 30 milliamps then the
RCD will trip (= switch off) within 40 milliseconds.

(a)

Suggest two reasons why there is a particular risk of an electric shock when using
an electric lawnmower.
1. ................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
2. .................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Why will there be a difference between the current in the live wire and the current in the neutral
wire if something goes wrong?
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

(i)

Use the words charge, current and time to write an equation which shows the
relationship between them.
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Calculate how much charge flows when a current of 30 milliamps passes

for 40 milliseconds.
Clearly show how you get to your answer and give the unit.
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
Charge = .....................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 7

Madeley High School

Q5.

The diagram shows a type of electric immersion heater in a hot water tank. These hot
water tanks are normally found in airing cupboards.

Information on the immersion heater states:

230 V
10 A
a) (i)
What is the equation which shows the relationship between
power, current and voltage?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Calculate the power of the heater. Show clearly how you get to your answer
and give the units.
..........................................................................................................................
Power = ......................................................
(2)

(b)

(i)

What rating of fuse should be in the immersion heater circuit?

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 8

Madeley High School

(ii)

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 function of this third wire and the fuse in the circuit.
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

(i)

What is the equation which shows the relationship between resistance, current
and voltage?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Calculate the resistance of the heater. Show clearly how you get to your
answer and give the units.
..........................................................................................................................
Resistance = ....................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 9

Madeley High School

Q6.

The diagram shows two oscilloscope traces, A and B.

Trace A shows how the potential difference between the live and neutral terminals of an
electricity supply changes with time.
(a)

Describe how the potential of the live terminal varies with respect to the neutral
terminal of the electricity supply.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

What does trace B show?

....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Each horizontal division on the oscilloscope represents 0.005 s.

(i)

What is the period of this electricity supply?

..........................................................................................................................
Period = .................................. seconds
(1)

(ii)

Calculate the frequency of the supply.

..........................................................................................................................
Frequency = .................................. hertz
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 10

Madeley High School

Q7.

(a)

The diagram shows an electric fence, designed to keep horses in a field.

When a horse touches the wire the horse receives a mild electric shock. Explain
how.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

The diagram shows how a person could receive an electric shock from a faulty
electrical appliance. Using a residual circuit breaker (RCB) can help to protect the
person against receiving a serious shock.

Current
to earth

(i)

Compare the action of an RCB to that of a fuse.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

Page 11

Madeley High School

(ii)

The graph illustrates how the severity of an electric shock depends upon both
the size of the current and the time for which the current flows through the
body.

Within how long must the RCB cut off the current if the person using the
lawnmower is to be in no danger of serious injury?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Time = ................................... milliseconds
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 12

Madeley High School

Q8.

The drawing shows an experiment using a low voltage supply, a joulemeter, a small
immersion heater and a container filled with water.

The voltage was set at 6 V d.c. The reading on the joulemeter at the start of the
experiment was 78 882 and 5 minutes later it was 80 142.

(i)

Use the equation:

voltage =
to work out the total charge which flowed through the immersion heater in five
minutes. Clearly show how you get to your answer and give the unit.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
Charge = ............................................
(3)

(ii)

Calculate the current through the immersion heater during the 5 minutes. Write the
equation you are going to use, show clearly how you get to your answer and give
the unit.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
Current = .........................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 13

Madeley High School

M1.

(a)

d.c. flows in (only) one direction

1

a.c. changes direction (twice every cycle)

accept a.c. constantly changing direction
ignore references to frequency
accept answers presented as a clear diagram
e.g.

ac:

(b)

(i)

10 A
allow 1 mark for correct transformation and substitution i.e.
an answer 0.01 gains 1 mark
A only do NOT allow a
3

(ii)

13 A
e.c.f.
accept the fuse size that is the next listed value greater than
answer (b)(i)
1

[5]

Page 14

Madeley High School

M2.

(a)

(i) 50 000
allow 1 mark for correct substitution, ie
6 = 0.00012 R
or 6 = 0.12 R
or answers of 25 000 or 50 gain 1 mark
or allow 1 mark for an incorrect answer caused by one error
only ie using 3V or an incorrect conversion of current
2

ohm /
an answer 50k gains 3 marks
1

(ii)

(body) resistance changes

or
body fat/resistance affected by (many) factors
accept named factor, eg age, gender, height, fitness, bone
structure, muscle, drinking water related to body fat /
resistance
1

(iii)

gives misleading / wrong/inaccurate value

do not credit if specifically linked to a change in mass /
weight
1

(because) high water content changes body resistance

accept a specific change to resistance
water changes body mass is insufficient
1

(b)

(i)

RCCB detects difference between current in live and neutral (wires)

accept RCCB can be reset
1

fuse (overheats and) melts

accept blows for melts
1

Page 15

Madeley High School

(ii)

switches the circuit / hedge trimmers off within 60 milliseconds

allow for 1 mark the RCCB / it is (very) fast.
do not accept the bigger the current the faster the RCCB
switches off
2

[10]

M3.

(a)

50 hertz
1

(b)

(i)

a flow of charge / electrons

1

(ii)

a.c. is constantly changing direction

1

whilst d.c. always flows in the same direction

1

(c)

(i)

46.9
accept 47.0
allow 1 mark for correct transformation and substitution
ie
2

(ii)

current (46.9 A) exceeds maximum safe current for

2.5 mm2 cable
accept cable needs to be 16.0 mm2
1

therefore if a 2.5 mm2 cable were used it would overheat / melt

cable needs to be 10.0 mm2 limits maximum credit to 1 mark
1

Page 16

Madeley High School

(iii)

can be reset
1

disconnects circuit faster (than a fuse)

1

[10]

M4.

(a)

any two from

(risk of) cutting (through the) cable

accept cutting the wire
grass may be wet
or it may rain
wires may be loose (because cable experiences a lot of movement)
accept cable may be loose
(risk of) touching exposed part(s)
2

(b)

some current will go through (the rest of) the lawnmower / the user / to earth
do not credit any reference to the electromagnet
1

(c)

(i)

charge = current time

or any transposed version
accept Q = I t
or any transposed version
accept C = A s
or coulombs = amperes seconds
or any transposed version

or

but only if subsequently used correctly

1

Page 17

Madeley High School

(ii)

EITHER
1200 microcoulombs / C
or 1.2 millicoulombs / mC
or 0.0012 coulombs /C
3

OR
correct arithmetic
either
converting milliamps to amps
and milliseconds to seconds
or correct multiplication
unit given as coulombs /C
or millicoulombs / mC
or microcoulombs / C
example : charge = 30 40 = 1200 millicoulombs should be
credited with 2 marks
1

[7]

M5.

(a)

(i)

P=V1

or equivalent
credit a triangle if part (ii) correctly uses the relationship
credit power = volts amps or watts V A
do not accept C for current
1

(ii)

(P = 230 10 =) 2300
credit 2.3
1

W or J/s
kW
1

(b)

(i)

15 A
credit 13 A or amps
1

(ii)

any three from

earth
any short (to the metal tank) causes fuse to blow
fuse is in the live wire
to prevent damage to the heater credit to stop the current
3

Page 18

Madeley High School

(c)

(i)

V=IR
or equivalent
credit a triangle if part (ii) correctly uses the relationship
1

(ii)

(230 = 10 R =) 23
ohms or
2

[10]

M6.

(a)

alternates
accept switches
accept (constantly) changes
accept goes up and down
1

between positive and negative

1

(b)

potential difference between the neutral and earth (terminal)

accept voltage for p.d
or potential of the neutral terminal with respect to earth
1

(c)

(i)

0.025 (s)
1

(ii)

40 (Hz)
accept 1 their (a)(i)
1

[5]

M7.

(a)

horse completes circuit between wire and earth or horse earths the wire
1

charge or electrons or current or electricity flows through the horse

1

(b)

two from:

RCB breaks circuit when it detects a difference between

currents in live and neutral wires

fuse breaks circuit only when fuse rating exceeded or when it melts

RCB is resettable

Page 19

Madeley High School

2

(ii)

500 (ms)
leakage current = 0.02A 1 mark only
1

[6]

M8.

(i)
either
210 C
3

or
1260 (joules of energy transferred)
unit not required
1

210
1

coulomb(s) C
allow J/V
1

(ii)

either
0.7 A
3

or
charge = current time
or 210* = current 300
1

or Q = It
or* same as candidates answer to
part (a)(I) provided correct unit given in part (a)(i)
or* as follows from above
1

current = 0.7*
amp(s) or A
1

[6]

Page 20