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CAIE IGCSE Physics 4.3.2 Series & parallel circuits Question Bank

Practise applying series and parallel circuit rules to currents, p.d.s, e.m.f., resistance and lamp behaviour in circuit diagrams.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Physics 0625

Exam points

  • use series and parallel rules to compare ammeter readings at different points
  • calculate current or resistance from circuit diagrams using V = IR and combination rules

Covered syllabus points

4.3.2.1—Current at every point in a series4.3.2.2—How to construct and use series and4.3.2.3—Combined e.m.f. of several sources in4.3.2.4—Combined resistance of two or more4.3.2.5—That, for a parallel circuit, the4.3.2.6—Combined resistance of two resistors4.3.2.7—Advantages of connecting lamps in4.3.2.8—Circuit rules: (a) current into a4.3.2.9—The sum of the currents into a4.3.2.10—Combined resistance of two resistors

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows a circuit containing a cell, a lamp and two ammeters.

Figure for Question 4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits question 1 — CAIE IGCSE Physics

The current reading on ammeter 2 is 0.20 A .
What is the name for this type of circuit and what is the reading on ammeter 1 ?

type of circuit

reading on ammeter 1

series

0.20 A

series

greater than 0.20 A

parallel

0.20 A

parallel

greater than 0.20 A

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

The circuit shown contains three switches and four lamps P, Q, R and S.

Figure for Question 4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits question 2 — CAIE IGCSE Physics

Which switches must be closed to light only lamps P and R ?

A

switch 1 only

B

switch 1 and switch 2

C

switch 1 and switch 3

D

switch 2 and switch 3

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 8.2 shows a circuit.

Fig. 8.2

Fig. 8.2

The three cells are identical and have zero resistance.
The resistors R1,R2R_{1}, R_{2} and R3R_{3} are identical.
The reading on the voltmeter is 6.0 V .
When the diode is conducting, it has zero resistance and zero potential difference (p.d.) across it.

Determine the e.m.f. of one cell.

e.m.f. =
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