SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 3: ELECTRIC CURRENT AND DIRECT CURRENT

CIRCUIT
PSPM II 2005/2006 NO. 3
3. (a) Write Kirchhoffs law for the conservation of energy.

FIGURE 2
(b) A circuit of two batteries and two resistors is as shown in FIGURE 2. Determine
the magnitude and direction of current in the circuit. [Ans: = . ;
Anticlockwise]
[3 marks]
PSPM II 2005/2006 NO. 11(A),(B)
11. (a) Explain how to convert a galvanometer to
(i)
Voltmeter.
(ii)
Ammeter.
[2 marks]
(b) A galvanometer has an internal resistance of 25 and a full scale deflection of
5 . Calculate
(i)
the value of the resistor used to convert the galvanometer to voltmeter
with a maximum range of 15 . [Ans: = = ]
(ii)
the power consumed by voltmeter at full scale deflection. [Ans: =
. ]
[4 marks]
PSPM II 2006/2007 NO. 3
3. (a)

FIGURE 2
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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

Based on the voltage-current graph in FIGURE 2, is the conductor ohmic or nonohmic? Justify your answer.
(b) A platinum wire has a resistance of 1.5 at 30 . Calculate the wire resistance at
100 if the wire temperature coefficient of resistance is 3.92 103 1 . [Ans:
= . ]
[4 marks]
PSPM II 2006/2007 NO. 11
11. (a) State Ohms law.
[1 mark]
(b)

FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7 shows the arrangement of five equal resistors in a circuit. Calculate
(i)
The equivalent resistance between point and . [Ans: = ]
(ii)
The voltage across point and . [Ans: = ]
(iii)
The voltage across point and . [Ans: = ]
[6 marks]
(c)

FIGURE 8
The internal resistance of all the batteries in FIGURE 8 are negligible. Calculate the
current 1 , 2 and 3 when switch S is
(i)
Open. [Ans: = . ]
(ii)
Closed. [Ans: = . ; = . ; = . ]
[8 marks]
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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

PSPM II 2007/2008 NO. 3
3. A light bulb has a rating of 230 and 60 . Calculate the quantity of charge that
passes through the bulb in 3 . [Ans: = . ]
PSPM II 2007/2008 NO. 11
11. (a) State Kirchhoffs laws.
[2 marks]
(b) Battery P with emf 1.3 and internal resistance 2 , battery Q with emf 1.5 and
internal resistance 0.8 , and a 4 resistor are connected in parallel.
(i)
Sketch the circuit diagram.
(ii)
Calculate the current in battery P, battery Q and the 4 resistor. [Ans:
= . ; = . ; = . ]
(iii)
Calculate the potential difference across the 4 resistor. [Ans: =
. ]
[8 marks]
(c) Given a voltmeter, a battery, a known resistor 1 and an unknown resistor 2 .
With the aid of a diagram, describe a method to determine the value of 2 .
[5 marks]
PSPM II 2008/2009 NO. 3
3.

FIGURE 1
Calculate the effective resistance of the circuit in FIGURE 1. [Ans: = . ]
[4 marks]

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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

PSPM II 2008/2009 NO. 11
11.

FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6 shows a Wheatstone Bridge with a variable resistor P.
(a) Describe how to balance the Wheatstone Bridge.
[2 marks]
(b) Once the Wheatstone Bridge is balanced,
(i)
Explain the principles used in determining the resistance of P.
(ii)
Calculate the resistance of P. [Ans: = . ]
[7 marks]
(c) (i) Explain the need to use high voltage to deliver grid electricity.
(ii) A copper transmission cable of cross sectional area 7.0 2 is carrying
0.12 current. If there is an increase in temperature by 15 , calculate the

power loss per unit length in the cable. [Ans: = . ]

Given:
Resistivity of copper = 1.7 108 .
Temperature coefficient resistivity of copper = 3.9 103 1
[6 marks]
PSPM II 2009/2010 NO. 3
3. The dimensions of two copper wires, P and Q are given in TABLE 1.

Wire
P
Q

TABLE 1
Length

Radius

Calculate the ratio of resistance of P to Q.

[Ans: = ]

[3 marks]
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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

PSPM II 2009/2010 NO. 11
11. (a) An electric bulb is labeled 100 , 240 . Calculate the power rating of a bulb
with twice the resistance of the 100 bulb. [Ans: = ]
[3 marks]
(b)

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5 shows a circuit with two batteries, three resistors and a switch. Using the
given labeled circuit diagram, determine the ammeter and voltmeter readings when
the switch in the circuit is
(i)
Opened. [Ans: = . ; = ]
(ii)
Closed. [Ans: = . ; = . ]
[12 marks]
PSPM II 2010/2011 NO. 3
3. A wire of length 10 and a diameter of 4 has an electrical conductivity of
6.0 107 1 1. Calculate
(a) the resistivity of the wire. [Ans: = . ]
(b) the resistance of the wire. [Ans: = . ]
[4 marks]
PSPM II 2010/2011 NO. 11
11. (a)

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5 shows a circuit with unknown resistor and emf . If the currents in the
circuit are as shown, calculate the
(i)
current . [Ans: = ]
(ii)
Value of . [Ans: = ]
(iii)
Value of . [Ans: = ]
[3 marks]
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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

(b)

FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6 shows a simple potentiometer. Wire PQ has length 100 and resistance
2.4 . The galvanometer G shows no deflection when the jockey is at X, a distance
60 from P.
(i)
By neglecting the internal resistance of the 2.0 battery, calculate the emf
of battery B. [Ans: = . ]
(ii)
The galvanometer and battery B are replaced by a voltmeter of internal
resistance 20 . Calculate the reading of the voltmeter if the jockey is
maintained at its position, X. [Ans: = . ]
[8 marks]
(c) For a Wheatstone bridge,
(i)
Sketch and label the circuit.
(ii)
Write the resistance equation when the bridge is balanced.
(iii) State one of its application.
[4 marks]
PSPM II 2011/2012 NO. 2
2. (a) State Ohms law.
[1 mark]
(b) A potential difference of 15 is applied across a uniform wire of length 2.80
and radius 0.30 . If 0.60 current flows in the wire, calculate
(i)
the resistance of the wire. [Ans: = . ]
(ii)
the resistivity of the wire. [Ans: = . ]
[3 marks]
(c)

FIGURE 2
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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

Two batteries and four resistors are connected in a circuit where currents 1 , 2 and 3
flow as shown in FIGURE 2.
(i)
Calculate 1 , 2 and 3 . [Ans: = . ; = . ; =
. ]
(ii)
What does it imply if the calculated current is negative?
(iii)
Calculate the potential difference between points X and Y. [Ans:
= . ]
(iv)
Calculate the total power dissipated in the circuit. [Ans: = . ]
[11 marks]
PSPM II 2012/2013 NO. 2
2. (a) (i) Define the emf of a battery.
(ii) A battery has an emf of 12 and internal resistance is connected to a resistor
= 4 . The voltage across the battery terminal is measured to be 8 . Calculate the
internal resistance. [Ans: = ]
[3 marks]
(b)

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3 shows a circuit consisting of batteries with internal resistance 6 , 1
and 10 , 2 and connected to resistors of 8 , 9 and 12 . By using the anticlockwise loop as shown, calculate
(i)
The current that flows through the 8 resistor. [Ans: = . ]
(ii)
The potential difference between point A and C, . [Ans: = . ]
[6 marks]
(c) The heating element is made of 1.0 long wire with cross-sectional area of 3.1
106 2 . The wire has a resistivity of 0 = 6.8 105 at a temperature 0 =
320 and a temperature coefficient of resistivity = 2.0 103 1 .
(i)
Define temperature coefficient of resistivity, .
(ii)
Determine the resistance of the heating element at an operating
temperature of 420 . [Ans: = . ]
(iii)
If the heating element is connected to 100 power supply, is the power
dissipated at 320 and 420 are the same? Justify your answer. [Ans:
/.]
[6 marks]

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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

PSPM II 2013/2014 NO. 2
2. (a) (i) State ONE application of a Wheatstone bridge. Explain the principle used in
such application.
(ii)

FIGURE 3
State TWO laws to be used in determining the currents in the circuit as shown in
FIGURE 3.
[5 marks]
(b) A toaster has a heating element made of nichrome wire and connected to a 220
source. The wire is initially at 20 with current 1.8 . When the toaster reaches its
final operating temperature, the current is 1.53 . Calculate the
(i)
power delivered to the toaster at its operating temperature. [Ans: =
. ]
(ii)
final temperature of the heating element if the temperature coefficient of
resistivity for nichrome wire is 4 104 1 . [Ans: = ]
[4 marks]
(c) The emf of a battery with internal resistance is 12 . When an unknown resistor
is connected to the battery, the current is 0.8 . If another resistor is added in series,
the current is 0.6 . Calculate the
(i)
value of the resistor . [Ans: = ]
(ii)
internal resistance of the battery. [Ans: = ]
(iii)
Terminal voltage of the battery. [Ans: = ]
[6 marks]
PSPM II 2014/2015 NO. 2
2. (a)

FIGURE 3

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SF026: PAST YEAR PSPM QUESTIONS

FIGURE 3 shows some of the free electrons inside a section of a cylindrical copper
wire. The wire is connected to an emf source, and the direction of the electric field,
is as indicated in the figure.
(i)
Sketch a diagram to show the motions of one free electron, the directions
of drift velocity and the current.
(ii)
If the current in the wire is 50 , calculate the number of electrons
passing a point in 10 . [Ans: = ]
[5 marks]
(b) A battery has an emf of 9 . The terminal voltage is 8 when the battery is
connected across a resistor of 5 . Calculate the
(i)
current through the resistor. [Ans: = . ]
(ii)
power dissipated by the resistor. [Ans: = . ]
(iii)
Internal resistance of the battery. [Ans: = . ]
[3 marks]
(c)

FIGURE 4
By referring to FIGURE 4, determine
(i)
1 , 2 and 3 . [Ans: = . ; = . ; = . ]
(ii)
The potential difference across the 18 resistor. [Ans: = ]
[7 marks]

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