IB Physics HL B.5 Current and Circuits Question Bank

Practise IB Physics HL B.5 by solving multi-loop circuits and evaluating emf, internal resistance, power, rms quantities and measurement evidence.

Exam points

Combine charge conservation, loop equations and component models to solve complex circuit systems.
Analyse terminal voltage, internal resistance, power transfer and rms quantities across changing loads.
Interpret non-ohmic V–I data, meter assumptions and energy dissipation in extended circuit problems.

Covered syllabus points

B.5.1—Cells provide a source of emf B.5.2—Electrical energy sources B.5.3—Resistance B.5.4—Ohmic behaviour B.5.5—Electrical power B.5.6—Electrical energy transfer B.5.7—Electric cells B.5.8—Conventional current B.5.9—Current and charge flow B.5.10—DC and AC B.5.11—Kirchhoff’s laws B.5.12—Resistance and resistivity B.5.13—Series and parallel circuits B.5.14—Emf and internal resistance B.5.15—Variable resistance

[Maximum number: 12]

(a)

Identify the laws of conservation that are represented by Kirchhoff's circuit laws.

[ 2 ]

(b)

A cell is connected to an ideal voltmeter, a switch S and a resistor R. The resistance of R is $4.0 \Omega$ .

When S is open the reading on the voltmeter is 12 V . When S is closed the voltmeter reads 8.0 V .

[ 3 ]

(i)

State the emf of the cell.

[ 1 ]

$12 \vee$

(ii)

Deduce the internal resistance of the cell.

[ 2 ]

I=2.0 A OR 12=I(r+4) OR 4=I r OR 8=4 I

«Correct working to get » r=2.0 « $\Omega$ »

Marking guidance:

Allow any valid method.

Allow ECF from (b)(i)

(c)

The voltmeter is used in another circuit that contains two secondary cells.

Cell A has an emf of 10 V and an internal resistance of $1.0 \Omega$ . Cell B has an emf of 4.0 V and an internal resistance of $2.0 \Omega$ .

[ 3 ]

(i)

Calculate the reading on the voltmeter.

[ 3 ]

(d)

A fully charged cell of emf 6.0 V delivers a constant current of 5.0 A for a time of 0.25 hour until it is completely discharged.

The cell is then re-charged by a rectangular solar panel of dimensions $0.40 \mathrm{~m} \times 0.15 \mathrm{~m}$ at a place where the maximum intensity of sunlight is $380 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}$ .

The overall efficiency of the re-charging process is 18 %.
Calculate the minimum time required to re-charge the cell fully.

[ 3 ]

ALTERNATIVE 1 «energy output of the panel = » VIt OR $6 \times 5 \times 0.25 \times 3600$ OR 27000 «J»

«available power = » $380 \times 0.4 \times 0.15 \times 0.18$ OR 4.1 «W»
$t=\ll \frac{27000}{4.1}=>6600<\mathrm{s} \gg$

ALTERNATIVE 2

«energy needed from Sun = » $\frac{V I t}{e f f}$ OR $\frac{6 \times 5 \times 0.25 \times 3600}{0.18}$ OR 150000 «J» « incident power=» $380 \times 0.4 \times 0.15$ OR 22.8 «W»
$t=\ll \frac{150000}{22.8}=>6600<\mathrm{S} \gg$

Marking guidance:

Allow ECF for MP3

Accept final answer in minutes (110) or hours (1.8).

(e)

Outline why research into solar cell technology is important to society.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 3]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about solar power and climate models. Part 2 is about digital storage of data.

(a)

Distinguish, in terms of the energy changes involved, between a solar heating panel and a photovoltaic cell.

[ 2 ]

(b)

State an appropriate domestic use for a

[ 1 ]

(i)

photovoltaic cell.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 6]

This question is in two parts

(a)

The plates in (c) are replaced by a cell that has an emf of 12.0 V and internal resistance $5.00 \Omega$ . A resistor of resistance R is connected in series with the cell. The energy transferred by the cell to an electron as it moves through the resistor is $1.44 \times 10^{-18} \mathrm{~J}$ .

[ 6 ]

(i)

Define resistance of a resistor.

[ 1 ]

ratio potential difference/voltage (across resistor) to current (in resistor) / $\frac{V}{I}$
with symbols defined;

(ii)

Show that the value of R is $15.0 \Omega$ .

[ 4 ]

pd across $R=\frac{1.44 \times 10^{-18}}{1.6 \times 10^{-19}}=9.00 \mathrm{~V}$ ;
pd across internal resistance $=12.0-9.00=3.00 \mathrm{~V}$ ;
current in circuit $=\frac{3.00}{5.00}=0.600 \mathrm{~A}$ ;
$R=\frac{9.00}{0.600}=15.0 \Omega$ ;

(iii)

Calculate the total power supplied by the cell.

[ 1 ]

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

B.5 Current and circuits question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (c)

Question (i)

Question (d)

Question (e)

B.5 Current and circuits question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

B.5 Current and circuits question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)