Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Electric current

Electric current — practice question

(a)[1]

Electric current is the movement of charge carriers. The charge carried by them is quantised. Explain what is meant by quantised.

(b(i))[3]

A battery with electromotive force (e.m.f.) $9.0\,\text{V}$ and internal resistance $0.25\,\Omega$ is joined in series with two identical resistors X and a resistor Y, as shown in Fig. 7.1. Each X has resistance $0.15\,\Omega$ and Y has resistance $2.7\,\Omega$. Show that the current in the circuit is $2.8\,\text{A}$.

(b(ii))[2]

Calculate the potential difference across the battery.

(c(i))[2]

Each resistor X in the circuit in (b) is made from a wire with cross-sectional area of $2.5\,\text{mm}^2$. The number of free electrons per unit volume in the wire is $8.5 \times 10^{29}\,\text{m}^{-3}$. Calculate the average drift speed of the electrons in X.

(c(ii))[2]

The two resistors X are replaced by two resistors Z made of the same material and length but with half the diameter. Describe and explain the difference between the average drift speed in Z and that in X.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Charge occurs only in discrete amounts.

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