Practise 38 real questions on Electricity from 2021 to 2026. See the answer and explanation as soon as you answer.
Electricity is one of the 13 main topics in our A Level Physics (Cambridge (CAIE) 9702) question bank, and about 6% of its real questions come from it. Tayyari Karo has 38 real questions on this topic from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 4; 35 are multiple choice and marked instantly, and the rest are structured questions with a model answer. By difficulty: 18 medium, 13 easy, 7 hard.
Work through the questions below, then open the explanation for each one. Redo the ones you missed a few days later.
These are real past-paper questions. Think of your answer first, then open the explanation.
What is the definition of the potential difference (p.d.) across a component?
Answer: A. the energy transferred per unit charge
p.d. is the energy transferred (from electrical to other forms) per unit charge.
What is a possible charge on a particle?
Answer: C. 1.12 × 10⁻¹⁸ C
Charge must be an integer multiple of e = 1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C; only 1.12×10⁻¹⁸ = 7×1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C qualifies.
A metal wire has length 2.50 m and cross-sectional area 4.50 × 10⁻⁶ m², with resistivity 3.50 × 10⁻⁷ Ω m. The wire is stretched so its length increases to 2.65 m, remaining cylindrical with constant volume. What is the change in the resistance of the wire?
Answer: B. 0.024 Ω
R₁ = ρL₁/A₁ ≈ 0.194 Ω. Constant volume: A₂ = A₁L₁/L₂ = 4.245×10⁻⁶ m². R₂ = ρL₂/A₂ ≈ 0.219 Ω. ΔR ≈ 0.024 Ω.
A straight copper wire of diameter 0.42×10⁻³ m has a number density of free electrons of 8.5×10²⁸ m⁻³. In a given time interval, a charge of 0.15 C moves through the wire. What is the average displacement of the free electrons along the wire in this time interval?
Answer: C. 8.0×10⁻⁵ m
Q = nAvqt (with vt = displacement x). A = π(0.21×10⁻³)² = 1.385×10⁻⁷ m². x = Q/(nAq) = 0.15/(8.5×10²⁸ × 1.385×10⁻⁷ × 1.60×10⁻¹⁹) ≈ 8.0×10⁻⁵ m.
A copper wire is to be replaced by an aluminium alloy wire of the same length and resistance. Copper has half the resistivity of the alloy.
What is the ratio (diameter of alloy wire)/(diameter of copper wire)?
Answer: A. √2
R = ρL/A is the same for both, so ρ_Cu/A_Cu = ρ_alloy/A_alloy, giving A_alloy/A_Cu = ρ_alloy/ρ_Cu = 2. Since A ∝ d², d_alloy/d_Cu = √2.
What is the electric field strength in a region where a proton accelerates at 2.00 m s⁻² due to the field?
Answer: D. 20.9 nV m⁻¹
F = ma = 1.67×10⁻²⁷ × 2.00 = 3.34×10⁻²⁷ N. E = F/q = 3.34×10⁻²⁷ / 1.60×10⁻¹⁹ ≈ 20.9×10⁻⁹ V m⁻¹ = 20.9 nV m⁻¹.
| Session | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May/June 2026 | 3 | – | – |
| May/June 2025 | 2 | 1 | – |
| October/November 2025 | 3 | – | – |
| May/June 2024 | 2 | – | – |
| May/June 2023 | 5 | 1 | – |
| October/November 2023 | 3 | – | – |
| May/June 2022 | 4 | – | – |
| October/November 2022 | 5 | – | – |
| May/June 2021 | 5 | – | – |
| October/November 2021 | 3 | – | 1 |
38 real A Level Physics (9702) questions on Electricity from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 4. Each one shows the year, session and paper it came from.
Yes. Every question shows the correct answer and a short explanation the moment you answer.
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