10 Electrical circuits

OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

1a For any point in an electrical circuit, the sum of currents
into that point is equal to the sum of currents out of that
point. B1
1b In any circuit, the sum of the electromotive forces is equal
to the sum of the p.d.s around a closed loop.
B1
2ai 0.7 V B1 Accept: 0.6 V
Unit required for mark
2 a ii 6 – 0.7 = 5.3 V B1 Unit required for mark
Possible e.c.f.
2 a iii 5 .3
= 0.018 (A) M1
300
6
= 0.014 (A) M1
430
0.018 + 0.014 = 0.004 (A) A1
2bi The cells should all be in series (with correct polarity). Allow: correct drawing for
this mark.
The e.m.f.s of cells in series add together/total e.m.f. = M1
Σe.m.f.s

A1
2 b ii Allow: correct explanation
for this mark.
M1

Each branch has a resistance of 2 Ω so the parallel A1 Accept: algebraic methods.
combination is 1 Ω.
3ai 12.0 V B1 Allow: 12 V
3 a ii Gradient = –r B1 Negative sign required.
11.7
12.0 – (V) M1
0 .3
300 – 0 (A)
0 .3
r=
300
r = 0.001 Ω A1 Unit required for this mark.
3bi Correct circuit diagram with e.m.f., internal resistance, Car battery should have
and correct symbol for bulb all in series. e.m.f and internal resistance
B1
inside a dash-lined box.

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 10 Electrical circuits
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

M1 Final mark not awarded if r

R =14.4 Ω, r = 0.001 Ω
missed from the equation
e.m.f.
I=
(R + r )
A1
12
I=
14.401
I = 0.837 A

3 b ii 1 A B1 Allow: any value greater

than current calculated in
3(b)i
Possible e.c.f. from 3(b)i
3ci Length: accept answer between 0.1 and 1.0 m. B1
Diameter: accept answer between 0.1 and 1 mm B1
2 –7
3 c ii A = πr = 7.9 × 10

ρl (1× 10 −6 × 0.5) M1
R= =
A 7.9 × 10 − 7
M1 –7
R = 5.0 × 10
–7 Allow: 12/(5.0 × 10 +
0.001) to include internal
V 12 –7 resistance of battery
I= = × 10 A1
R 5 .0
I = 12.0 A

4ai Work done per unit charge M1

when charge flows around a complete circuit. A1
4 a ii The resistance of an e.m.f. source M1
due to the chemicals (inside a cell) or wires (inside a A1
power supply)
4bi R2
Vout = × Vin M1
(R1 + R2 )

40
Vout = × 12
( 40 + 20)

Vout = 8 V A1 Unit required for mark.

4 b ii Total R = 60 Ω C1

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This resource sheet may have been changed from the original 2
 10 Electrical circuits
OCR Physics A Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

V 12
I= =
R 60
I = 0.2 A A1
4c Parallel combination for R
1 1 + 40
= M1
RT 1 + 20

RT = 13.3 Ω
R2
Vout = × Vin
(R1 + R2 )

1.33
Vout = × 12
(20 + 13.3)

Vout = 4.8 V A1 Possible e.c.f.

5ai Temperature on x-axis and resistance on y-axis. B1
Correct shaped curve. B1 Not a straight line.
5 a ii Correct reading from graph. B1
5bi e.m.f. = 12 V B1 No marks awarded here if
units are missing.
R = 40 kΩ B1
Other values are also
possible, e.g., e.m.f. = 24 V
and R = 120 kΩ. Allow any
correct answer.
5 b ii As light intensity increases resistance decreases. B1
5 b iii Circuit should have source of e.m.f., one fixed resistor,
and one LDR. Circuit diagrams should have the correct
symbols. B1
The output should be across the fixed resistor, not the
LDR. B1
5 b iv Use a variable resistor in place of the fixed resistor B1

© Oxford University Press 2015 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original 3