IB Physics SL B.5.12 Resistance and Resistivity Question Bank

Practise IB Physics SL B.5.12 by calculating resistance and resistivity, tracking length and cross-sectional area, and interpreting wire data and graphs.

Exam points

Calculate resistance or resistivity with R = ρL/A and report the correct Ω or Ω m unit.
Compare wires by changing length, radius or diameter, including graph trends and proportional scaling.
Use material and temperature evidence to explain why resistance changes in a conductor.

[Maximum number: 3]

Part 2 Electric current and resistance
The graph below shows how the current I in a tungsten filament lamp varies with potential difference V across the lamp.

Figure for Question B.5.12—Resistance and resistivity question 1 — IB Physics SL

The length of the filament in a lamp is 0.40 m . The resistivity of tungsten when the potential difference across it is 2.8 V is $5.8 \times 10^{-7} \Omega \mathrm{~m}$ . Calculate the radius of the filament.

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B.5.12—Resistance and resistivity question 1