Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Kirchhoff's laws

Kirchhoff's laws — practice question

A battery with electromotive force (e.m.f.) $12\,\text{V}$ and negligible internal resistance is linked to a circuit containing two lamps and two resistors, as illustrated in Fig. 6.1. The two lamps in the circuit have the same resistance. The two resistors have resistances $R$ and $28\,\Omega$. The lamps are joined at junction X and the resistors are joined at junction Y. The current in the battery is $0.50\,\text{A}$ and the current in the lamps is $0.20\,\text{A}$.
(a(i))[2]

Calculate the resistance of each lamp.

(a(ii))[2]

Calculate resistance $R$.

(b)[3]

Determine the potential difference $V_{XY}$ between points X and Y.

(c)[2]

Calculate the ratio $\dfrac{\text{total power dissipated by the lamps}}{\text{total power supplied by the battery}}$.

(d)[2]

The resistor of resistance $R$ is now replaced by another resistor of lower resistance. State and explain the effect, if any, of this change on the ratio in (c).

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Use of $R = V/I$

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