Science Department

UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 18: D.C. CIRCUITS

ANSWERS

NAME:_______________________( ) CLASS: _________ DATE: _________

Exercise 18A: Series Circuits

1. current
What quantity is the same at every point in a series circuit? ________________

2. State the formula to calculate the effective resistance of two resistors, R1 and
R2 connected in series.
Reff = R1 + R2

3. In the diagram below, state the formula that links V, V1 and V2 in the box
provided.
V

V = V1 + V2

V1 V2

4. The instrument to measure current flow in a circuit is an ______________

ammeter and
it must be connected in ____________
series in a circuit.

5. The instrument to measure potential difference across a component is a

______________
voltmeter and it must be connected in __________
parallel across the
component.

6.
A

3Ω 5Ω 2Ω

(a) Calculate the current flowing through the 5 Ω resistor, given that the
voltage of one cell is 1.2 V. V
I=
R
1.2V × 2
= = 0.24 A
3Ω + 5 Ω + 2 Ω
(b) Calculate the potential difference across the 2 Ω resistor.

V = IR = 0.24 A × 2 Ω = 0.48V

(c) On the diagram above, draw in the position of the ammeter that will
measure the total current flowing in the circuit.

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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7. A circuit is set up below as shown. 1.8 V

A
3Ω 6Ω

(a) Calculate the effective resistance of the two resistors.

Reff = 3 + 6 = 9Ω

(b) Calculate the ammeter reading.

V 1.8V
I= = = 0.2 A
Reff 9Ω
(c) State the current flowing through the 6 Ω resistor. ______________
0.2 A

(d) Calculate the potential difference across the 3 Ω resistor.

V = IR = 0.2 A × 3Ω = 0.6V

(e) State the potential difference across the 6 Ω resistor. _____________

1.2 V

8. The circuit below shows a cell connected to two resistors in series.

V
A
4Ω 2Ω

(a) A voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference across the 4 Ω

resistor. On the diagram, show how the voltmeter is connected in the
circuit.

(b) The potential difference across the cell is 1.5 V

Calculate

(i) the total resistance in the circuit.

Reff = 4 + 2 = 6 Ω
(ii) the current in the cell.
V 1.5V
I= = = 0.25 A
Reff 6Ω
(c) Using your answer to (b) (ii),
(i) state the value of the current in the 4 Ω resistor, __________
0.25 A
(ii) calculate the charge flowing through the 4 Ω resistor in 10 s.

Q = It = 0.25 A × 10 s = 2.5 C

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL
PHYSICS

CHAPTER 18: D.C. CIRCUITS

ANSWERS

NAME:_____________________( ) CLASS: _________ DATE: _________

Exercise 18B: Parallel Circuits

1. State the formula to calculate the effective resistance of two resistors, R1 and
R2 connected in parallel.
1 1 1 V
= +
Reff R1 R2

2. State the relationship that links V, V1 and V2

in the box provided. V1
V = V1 = V2 I1
I R1

I2 R2

V2
3. State the relationship that links I, I1 and I2
I = I 1 + I2
in the box provided.

4. A circuit is set up below as shown.

1.5 V
V
(a) Calculate the effective resistance of the
two resistors.
1 1 1 4
= + Reff = = 1.33Ω V1
Reff R1 R2 3
I1
=
1 1 3
+ = I 2Ω
2 4 4 4Ω
I2
(b) Calculate the total current, I flowing through
the circuit. V2
V 1.5V
I= = = 1.125 A
Reff 1.33Ω

(c) State the reading on the voltmeter, V1. __________

1.5 V

(d) Calculate the current flowing through the 2 Ω resistor.

V 1.5V
I1 = = = 0.75 A
R1 2Ω

(e) Calculate the current flowing through the 4 Ω resistor.

V 1.5V
I2 = = = 0.375 A
R2 4Ω

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
5. Another circuit is set up as shown.

(a) If I1 = 1 A, calculate the reading on the V

voltmeter, V1.

V1
V1 = I 1 R1 = 1 A × 3Ω = 3V
I1
I 3Ω
I2 6Ω

V2

1.5 V
(b) State the reading on voltmeter, V2. ___________

(c) Calculate the total current, I flowing through the circuit.

V 1.5V
I2 = = = 0.25 A
R2 6Ω
I = I1 + I2
= 1 + 0.25 = 1.25 A

(d) State the e.m.f of the cell. ___________

1.5 V

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL
PHYSICS

CHAPTER 18: D.C. CIRCUITS

ANSWERS

NAME:_____________________( ) CLASS: _________ DATE: _________

Exercise 18C: Series and Parallel Circuits

1. Find the equivalent resistance of the circuits below.

(a) 1Ω 2Ω 1
Ω
8
2Ω 3Ω

1 1 1 15 1
= + Reff = +
R R1 R2 8 8
1 1 8 16
= + = = = 2Ω
1 + 2 2 + 3 15 8
(b)

1 1 1
= +
Reff R1 R2 3Ω
2Ω
1 1 5
= + =
2 3 6
6
Reff = = 1.2Ω
5

2. Explain how will the readings on the ammeters A1 and A2 be affected when the
switch S is closed? I 3
A1
Reading in A1: Increase / Decrease
R3
Explanation: _____________________
When S is closed, the total
R1 R2

________________________________
resistance of R1, R2 and R3 decreases as
I2 S
________________________________
R3 is parallel to R2. Therefore the current A2

I1
________________________________
I1 increases.

Reading in A2: Increase / Decrease

Explanation: _____________________________________________________
When S is closed, the total resistance of R2 and R3 decreases as they

_______________________________________________________________
are arranged in parallel. The potential difference across R2 will be lower compare

_______________________________________________________________
to R1. Therefore the current I2 decreases.

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
3. Refer to the circuit below.

V1 = 4 V V2 = ? V
I=? A
V V

4Ω 2Ω

(a) What is the voltmeter reading V2?

V1 4V
I= = = 1A
R1 4 Ω
V2 = IR2 = 1 × 2 = 2V

(b) What is the ammeter reading I?

I = 1A

(c) What is the e.m.f. of the battery?

EMF = V1 + V2
= 4V + 2V = 6V
4.
8V

A
I1
4Ω
I2
2Ω

(a) Calculate the current through the 4 Ω resistor.

V
I1 =
R1
8V
=
= 2A
4Ω
(b) Calculate the current through the 2 Ω resistor.
V
I2 =
R2
8V
= = 4A
2Ω

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
4
(c) A Ω resistor is now added to the circuit as shown.
3
8V

A
4 I1
Ω
3 4Ω
I2
2Ω

(i) Calculate the current through the 4 Ω resistor.

1 1 1 1 1 3 V 8 V across 4 Ω = 8V − 4V = 4V
= + = + = I= = = 3A
R R1 R2 4 2 4 Reff 8 4V
3 I1 = = 1A
4 4 8 4Ω
Reff = + = 4 4
V across Ω = 3 × = 4V
3 3 3 3 3

(ii) Calculate the current through the 2 Ω resistor.

V across 2 Ω = V across 4 Ω = 4V OR I2 = I − I1
4V
I2 = = 2A = 3 − 1 = 2A
2Ω

5. Find the resistance of resistor R.

10 V
V 10V
Reff = = = 2Ω
I 5A
1 1 1 1 1 5
= + = + =
R R1 R2 3 2 6
A
5A I1 6
3Ω Reff = + R = 2Ω
5
R I2 6 4
2Ω R = 2 − = = 0.8 Ω
5 5
OR
R1 V2 = I 2 × R2
I2 = ×I
R1 + R2
= 3 × 2 = 6V
3 V across R = 10V − 6V = 4V
= ×5
3+2
4V
= 3A R= = 0.8 Ω
5A

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
6. In the circuit below, all resistors are identical.

R1=R
I1

1A
R R

I2 1 1 1 2
R2=R = + =
Reff R1 R2 R

Calculate the total current drawn from the battery. R

Reff =
2
V across cells = 1 × 2 R = 2 R OR R
V 2R 2
I1 = I2 = = = 2A 1A = ×I
R1 R R
2R +
Total I = 1 A + I 1 + I 2 2
= 1A + 2 A + 2 A 2.5
I= = 5A
0.5
= 5A
7. The diagram below shows two resistors R1, R2 and a lamp L connected to a 24
V supply with their respective current values in the table below. The lamp L
has a resistance of 2.0 Ω.

24 V
Component Current/A
R1 4.0
R2 2.0
I1
R1
L
I
R2
I2
What are the resistance of R1 and R2?

I = I1 + I2 = 6 A
V L = IRL = 6 A × 2 Ω = 12V
V1 = V2 = 24V − 12V = 12V
12V 12V
R1 = = = 3Ω
I1 4A
12V 12V
R2 = = = 6Ω
I2 2A

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL
PHYSICS

CHAPTER 18: D.C. CIRCUITS

ANSWERS

NAME:_____________________( ) CLASS: _________ DATE: _________

Exercise 18D: Input Transducers

1. Symbol Component Resistance (high / low)

When temperature is high,
resistance is __________
low
(a) Thermistor
When temperature is low,
resistance is __________
high
When light intensity is high,
resistance is __________
low
Light-
(b) dependent
When light intensity is low,
resistor
resistance is __________
high

2. The diagram below shows a potential divider circuit.

Derive the following equations:

R1 V1
⎛ R1 ⎞
(a) V1 = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟V0
⎝ R1 + R 2 ⎠
V0
V0
I=
R1 + R2
R2 V2 V1 = IR1
V0
= R1
R1 + R2
⎡ R1 ⎤
=⎢ ⎥V0
⎛ R2 ⎞ ⎣ R1 + R2 ⎦
(b) V2 = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟V0
⎝ R1 + R 2 ⎠
V2 = IR2
V0
= R2
R1 + R2
⎡ R2 ⎤
=⎢ ⎥V0
⎣ R1 + R2 ⎦

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
3. The figure below shows a LDR connected in series for detecting a very small
light source. Explain what would be observed on the milliammeter when you
cover and uncover the LDR.

mA

Cover:When covered, light intensity is low, therefore resistance of LDR is high.

_________________________________________________________
The current passing through will be low and the milliammeter shows a low reading.
_________________________________________________________
When uncovered, light intensity is high, therefore resistance of LDR is low.
Uncover: _______________________________________________________
The_______________________________________________________
current passing through will be high and the milliammeter shows a high

4. The figure below shows a thermistor connected in series to detect the

surrounding temperature. Explain what happens to milliammeter when the
thermistor is placed near and away from a heat source.

mA

Near heat source:Temperature is high, therefore resistance of thermistor is low.

_______________________________________________

The current passing through will be high and the milliammeter shows a high reading.
_______________________________________________

Temperature is low, therefore resistance of thermistor is high.

Away from heat source: ____________________________________________

The current passing____________________________________________

through will be low and the milliammeter shows a low reading.

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
5. A battery of e.m.f. 3.0 V is connected in series with a 200 Ω resistor and a
thermistor. The graph shows how the resistance of the thermistor varies with
temperature.
Resistance/Ω
1000

800
3.0 V
A
600

V
400
200 Ω
200

0 20 40 60 80 100 Temperature/ °C

What are the ammeter and voltmeter readings when the temperature of the
thermistor is 30 °C?
RT = 380 Ω + 200 Ω = 580 Ω
V 3
I= = = 0.00517 A
R 580
3
V = IR = ( )( 380 ) = 1.97 V
580

6. In the circuit shown below, a 4700 Ω resistor is connected in series with a 12 V

power supply and a LDR, which has a resistance of 3300 Ω.

3300Ω (a) Calculate the current through the LDR.

V 12
I= = = 0.0015 A
RT 3300 + 4700
12V

(b) Calculate the voltage across the LDR.

4700Ω
3300
V= ( 12 ) = 4.95V
3300 + 4700

(c) Describe and explain how the voltage across the LDR changes as the
light falling on it increases.
When the light falling on the LDR increases, it resistance decreases. Since
__________________________________________________________
the voltage across the LDR is proportional to it resistance, the voltage across
__________________________________________________________
the LDR also decreases.
__________________________________________________________

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
7. A student designs an electrical circuit to turn on a fan motor when the
temperature is high. The motor is designed to operate normally from a 12 V
supply, and has a resistance of 4.0 Ω.

(a) The student’s first design is shown below:

(i) Describe and explain what happens to the current in

Thermistor at the circuit when the temperature in the room rises.
room
temperature When the temperature rises, the resistance in the
__________________________________________
12V thermistor decreases. Since the total resistance is lower
__________________________________________

and the voltage remains constant, the current increases.

__________________________________________
Motor 4.0 Ω M
__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

(ii) For the thermistor of resistance 500 Ω, calculate

1. the current in the circuit,

V 12
I = = = 0.0238 A
RT 500 + 4

2. the potential difference across the motor.

4
V= ( 12 ) = 0.0952V
500 + 4
(b) The student then improves the design and uses a relay.

(i) Explain how the motor is made to operate as the

temperature rises.
When the temperature increases, the resistance of the
__________________________________________

M thermistor decreases. As the total resistance between the

__________________________________________
12V thermistor and the relay coil decreases, the current
__________________________________________
relay
switch increases. This caused the relay coil to be magnetized. It
__________________________________________
relay
coil will attract the relay switch and activate the motor.
__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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Science Department
(ii) The relay switches when the current through the coil is 0.10 A and the
potential difference across the coil is 2.0 V.
Calculate, for the conditions when the relay switches,

1. the potential difference across the thermistor,

V = 12V − 2V = 10V

2. the resistance of the thermistor.

V 10V
R= = = 100 Ω
I 0 .1 A

(c) Explain why the new circuit is better than the old circuit.

In the old circuit, the motor can never work normally. This is because the
_______________________________________________________________

thermistor can never be zero resistance. Therefore the voltage across the motor can
_______________________________________________________________

never be 12V. In the new circuit, when the relay switch is closed, the motor will
_______________________________________________________________

have a voltage of 12V across it. This will ensure that it will work normally.
_______________________________________________________________

Chapter 18: D.C. Circuits

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