Action and use of circuit components
4.3.3What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the action of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input sensors
- Describe the action of a variable potential divider
- Recall and use the equation for two resistors used as a potential divider R1 / R2 = V1 / V2
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Action and use of circuit components
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Every question on Action and use of circuit components, untimed, marked as you go.
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Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
17 questions
1Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Afixed resistor
Blight-dependent resistor
Cthermistor
Dvariable resistor
Mark scheme
2May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q30Show mark scheme →
A16 Ω
B20 Ω
C80 Ω
D100 Ω
Mark scheme
3May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
AR1/R2
BR2/R1
C(R1/R2)^2
D(R2/R1)^2
Mark scheme
4May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
ACircuit A
BCircuit B
CCircuit C
DCircuit D
Mark scheme
5May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q30Show mark scheme →
A0
Bbetween 0 and 10 000 Ω
C10 000 Ω
Dmore than 10 000 Ω
Mark scheme
6May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
AV1 decreases, V2 decreases
BV1 decreases, V2 increases
CV1 increases, V2 decreases
DV1 increases, V2 increases
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Acold and dark
Bcold and bright
Cwarm and dark
Dwarm and bright
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q32Also set in Oct / Nov 2020 Paper 11, May / June 2017 Paper 12Show mark scheme →
Ain a cold room with bright light
Bin a cold room with dim light
Cin a warm room with bright light
Din a warm room with dim light
Mark scheme
9Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A–3.0 V
B–2.0 V
C+2.0 V
D+3.0 V
Mark scheme
10Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
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11Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q35Show mark scheme →
Acold, dark
Bcold, light
Chot, dark
Dhot, light
Mark scheme
12May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Ahigh temperature, in bright light
Bhigh temperature, in the dark
Clow temperature, in bright light
Dlow temperature, in the dark
Mark scheme
13May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q38Also set in May / June 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AV1 decreases, V2 decreases
BV1 decreases, V2 increases
CV1 increases, V2 decreases
DV1 increases, V2 increases
Mark scheme
14Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Adecrease in temperature; decrease in brightness
Bdecrease in temperature; increase in brightness
Cincrease in temperature; decrease in brightness
Dincrease in temperature; increase in brightness
Mark scheme
15Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aresistance of thermistor: decreases; voltmeter reading: decreases
Bresistance of thermistor: decreases; voltmeter reading: increases
Cresistance of thermistor: increases; voltmeter reading: decreases
Dresistance of thermistor: increases; voltmeter reading: increases
Mark scheme
16May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Acold and dark
Bcold and light
Chot and dark
Dhot and light
Mark scheme
17May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
AV1 decreases, V2 decreases
BV1 decreases, V2 increases
CV1 increases, V2 decreases
DV1 increases, V2 increases
Mark scheme