2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C.

Circuit

Jurong Junior College

Physics Department
Self-Assessed Topical Test (SATT)
D.C. Circuit

Name:

Class:

/8

Marks: Section A:

/32

Section B:

15S _____________

Total:

/40

Duration: 50 minutes
Data: elementary charge

1.60 1019 C

Formulae: resistors in series

R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel

1/R =

1/R1 + 1/R2 + . . .

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions

[Total: 8 marks, 4 x 2 marks each]

Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D.
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in the bracket provided.
1

Which one of the following circuits uses the highest electrical power?
Assume that the cells have no internal resistance.
A

4.8
(

The diagram shows a network of three resistors. Two of these, marked R, are
identical. The other one has a resistance of 5.0
The resistance between Y and Z is found to be 2.5 .
What is the resistance between X and Y?
A

0.21

0.53

1.9

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

Four 5 resistors are connected to a 2 V cell of negligible
internal resistance as shown in the figure to the right.

What is the potential difference across points X and Y?

0.0 V

0.5 V

1.0 V

1.5 V
(

The diagram shows part of a circuit comprising

a light dependent resistor (LDR), which is a
variable resistor whose resistance depends
intensity falling on it, and a 500 resistor
between voltage lines held at +30 V and 0 V.

)
of

on the amount of light

The resistance of the LDR is 2000 in the dark but then drops to 100 in bright
light.
What is the corresponding change in the potential at X when the circuit was first placed
in bright light and then in the dark?
A
B
C
D

A fall of 15 V
A rise of 15 V
A fall of 19 V
A rise of 19 V
(

Section B: Structured Questions

[Total: 32 marks]

Answer all questions. The number of marks is given in [ ] at the end of each question or
part question. Show all workings clearly in the space provided for each question or part
question.
1

Fig. 1 shows a potential divider circuit consisting of two resistors with resistances 10 k
and 40 k respectively. The battery has an e.m.f. E and negligible internal resistance.

Fig.1

(a)

Determine the potential difference VWX across the 10 k resistor in terms of E. [2]

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

(b)

A thermistor P is connected in parallel with the 10 k resistor and a resistor of

resistance 20 k is connected in parallel with the 40 k, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2
A galvanometer is connected between X and Y. At room temperature of 29 C, it
was found that there is no current flowing through the galvanometer.
(i)

Sketch on the axes provided below, how the current I through the thermistor
would vary with the potential difference V applied across it and explain the
trend of the graph.
[2]
I

(ii)

Suggest what can be deduced about the potential at points X and Y

at 29 C.

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

(iii)

Determine the resistance of the thermistor P at 29 C.

(iv)

The temperature of the thermistor is slowly raised.

[2]

Indicate on Fig 2 the direction of the current flowing between X and

Y.
[1]
Explain why a reading is detected on the galvanometer whenever the
temperature is not at 29 C.
[2]

A car battery has an e.m.f. of 12 V and an internal resistance of 0.50 . It is connected to a

parallel arrangement of four lamps, as shown in Fig. 2.
Each lamp can be assumed to be a fixed resistor of constant resistance 30 .
The total power dissipated in the lamps is 16.9 W.

battery

12 V
0.50 .

Fig. 2

(a)

Calculate the effective resistance of the four lamps.

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

effective resistance =
(b)

[2]

The owner of the car thinks that the brightness of the lamps can be increased by
connecting an additional resistor to the circuit so as to extract maximum power
from the battery. It is known that the maximum power which can be extracted from
the battery is when the combined resistance of the four lamps and the additional
resistor is equal to the internal resistance of the battery.
Explain where the additional resistor should be connected so as to extract the
maximum power from the battery.
[2]

(c)

Calculate the resistance of the additional resistor.

resistance =
(d)

[2]

With this resistor in the circuit, calculate the new total power dissipated in the four
lamps.

new total power =

(e)

Comment on whether the car owner has achieved his aim.

[2]
[2]

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

3

(a)

Distinguish between the electromotive force of a cell and the potential difference
between its terminals.

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

[2]
(b)

Fig. 3.1 shows how the resistance of a light-dependent resistor (LDR), a type of
variable resistor, varies with the intensity of the light incident on it.

resistance / k

9.0 V
Fig. 3.1
Fig. 3.2 shows part of a light-sensing circuit used in a lamp where the potential
difference across the LDR can be used to control the brightness of the lamp in a
room.
1.2 k

p.d. to contro
brightness of
lamp

Fig. 3.2
The battery has an e.m.f. of 9.0 V and negligible internal resistance. The 1.2 k
resistor is made of carbon. When the room is in a low-light condition, the potential
difference across the LDR reaches 7.0 V.
(i)

State the potential difference across the 1.2 k resistor, when the room
is in a low-light condition.

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

potential difference =
(ii)

[2]

Use Fig. 3.1 to determine the light intensity when the p.d. across the
LDR is 7.0 V.
light intensity =

(iv)

[1]

Hence, calculate the resistance R of the LDR.

resistance =
(iii)

W m-2

[1]

Fig. 3.3 shows a close-up of the LDR device used in the circuit in Fig.
3.2. The LDR consists of a uniform strip of semiconductor - a material
which has a resistivity, between that of a conductor and an insulator and
is, dependent on the intensity of the light incident on it. The crosssectional area of the strip is 5.0 x 10-7 m2.

10.0 mm
LDR strip
5.0 mm

Fig. 7.3
Use your answer in (ii) to determine the resistivity of the LDR.

resistivity =
(c)

Fig. 3.4 shows a circuit containing five identical lamps A, B, C, D and E. The circuit

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[2]

2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

also contains three switches S1, S2 and S3.

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

S1

S3

S2

D
C
B

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2015 H1 Physics SATT: D.C. Circuit

(i)

Identify the faulty lamp, and the nature of the fault.

faulty lamp: .............................................................................................
nature of fault: .........................................................................................

(ii)

[2]

Suggest why it is advisable to test the circuit using an ohm-meter that causes
negligible current rather than with a power supply.

[1]
(iii)

State the resistance of one of the non-faulty lamps, as measured using

the ohm-meter.
resistance =

----- End of Paper-----

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