Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Resistance and resistivity

Resistance and resistivity — practice question

(a)[2]

State what is meant by Ohm’s law.

(b)

A battery with electromotive force (e.m.f.) 6.2 V and negligible internal resistance is joined in a circuit to a uniform resistance wire, a voltmeter, a fixed resistor and a switch, as shown in Fig. 7.1. The resistance wire has resistance 18 Ω, length 0.94 m and cross-sectional area 7.2 × 10^{-8} m^2. The slider S is placed half-way along the length of the wire.

(b(i))[2]

Calculate the resistivity \rho of the material from which the resistance wire is made.

(b(ii))[1]

The switch is open. State the reading shown by the voltmeter.

(b(iii))[2]

The switch is now closed. State whether there is an increase, decrease or no change to: • the current in the battery • the voltmeter reading.

(b(iv))[1]

The switch stays closed. The slider S is moved along the resistance wire so that the voltmeter reading is 3.1 V. On Fig. 7.1, draw a cross (×) on the resistance wire to indicate one possible new slider position.

(c)

In (b), the circuit is changed by replacing the battery with one of a different e.m.f. The switch is open. A student notes the following data for the resistance wire: current in the wire: 0.93 A mean drift speed of charge carriers: 1.3 × 10^{-3} m s^{-1} number density of charge carriers: 9.0 × 10^{28} m^{-3}.

(c(i))[2]

Determine the charge q of a charge carrier in the wire suggested by these data.

(c(ii))[1]

Using the value of q, explain why the data recorded by the student cannot be correct.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: current is proportional to potential difference

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