Resistance
4.2.4What the syllabus asks of you
- Recall and use the equation resistance = p.d. / current R = V / I
- Describe an experiment to determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter and do the appropriate calculations
- Recall and use, for a wire, the direct proportionality between resistance and length, and the inverse proportionality between resistance and cross-sectional area
- State Ohm’s law, including reference to constant temperature
- Sketch and explain the current–voltage graphs for a resistor of constant resistance, a filament lamp and a diode
- Describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a resistor, such as the filament in a filament lamp
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Resistance
Drill this topic
Every question on Resistance, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
17 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
Aresistance and length: direct proportion; resistance and cross-sectional area: direct proportion
Bresistance and length: direct proportion; resistance and cross-sectional area: inverse proportion
Cresistance and length: inverse proportion; resistance and cross-sectional area: direct proportion
Dresistance and length: inverse proportion; resistance and cross-sectional area: inverse proportion
Mark scheme
2Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Alength 2l, area 0.25a, in parallel
Blength 2l, area 0.25a, in series
Clength 4l, area 4a, in parallel
Dlength 4l, area 4a, in series
Mark scheme
3Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Acurrent-voltage graph: straight line through origin with positive gradient
Bcurrent-voltage graph: curve decreasing from high current at zero voltage
Ccurrent-voltage graph: horizontal line at constant current
Dcurrent-voltage graph: straight line with negative gradient from high current at zero voltage
Mark scheme
4May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q34Show mark scheme →
Agraph A: current–voltage curve rising with decreasing gradient from origin
Bgraph B: current–voltage curve rising with increasing gradient from origin
Cgraph C: current–voltage curve falling from high current at zero voltage
Dgraph D: straight line through origin
Mark scheme
5May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A8R
B2R
CR/2
DR/8
Mark scheme
6May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Athe charge passing through the wire
Bthe e.m.f. of the battery connected to the wire
Cthe energy produced in the wire
Dthe resistance of the wire
Mark scheme
7May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q32Also set in May / June 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AEach circuit needs to contain the same total mass of wire.
BThicker wires heat up more quickly when the relay is switched on.
CThin wires have lower resistances.
DThe ignition switch circuit carries a smaller current than the starter motor circuit.
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
Acurrent-voltage graph: straight line through origin with positive gradient
Bcurrent-voltage graph: vertical line at positive voltage
Ccurrent-voltage graph: horizontal line at positive current
Dcurrent-voltage graph: straight line with negative gradient from positive current intercept
Mark scheme
9Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AConnect an ammeter in parallel and a voltmeter in series with the conductor then use R = I/V.
BConnect an ammeter in parallel and a voltmeter in series with the conductor then use R = V/I.
CConnect a voltmeter in parallel and an ammeter in series with the conductor then use R = I/V.
DConnect a voltmeter in parallel and an ammeter in series with the conductor then use R = V/I.
Mark scheme
10Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q31Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A0.094 Ω
B0.38 Ω
C1.5 Ω
D6.0 Ω
Mark scheme
11May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AR/2
BR
C2R
D4R
Mark scheme
12May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q23Show mark scheme →
A24 °C
B40 °C
C60 °C
D64 °C
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Alength / cm: 10; cross-sectional area / mm²: 1.0
Blength / cm: 10; cross-sectional area / mm²: 4.0
Clength / cm: 20; cross-sectional area / mm²: 1.0
Dlength / cm: 20; cross-sectional area / mm²: 4.0
Mark scheme
14May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AR/2
BR
C2R
D4R
Mark scheme
15May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q34Show mark scheme →
ACircuit A: ammeter in parallel with R, voltmeter in series with the variable resistor
BCircuit B: voltmeter across the battery, ammeter in series with the variable resistor
CCircuit C: voltmeter in parallel with R, ammeter in series with the variable resistor
DCircuit D: voltmeter in parallel with R, ammeter in series with the variable resistor
Mark scheme
16May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
Agreater resistance: P; larger cross-sectional area: P
Bgreater resistance: P; larger cross-sectional area: Q
Cgreater resistance: Q; larger cross-sectional area: P
Dgreater resistance: Q; larger cross-sectional area: Q
Mark scheme
17May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q34Show mark scheme →
Avoltmeter range 0 – 2 V, ammeter range 0 – 0.5 A
Bvoltmeter range 0 – 2 V, ammeter range 0 – 2 A
Cvoltmeter range 0 – 5 V, ammeter range 0 – 5 A
Dvoltmeter range 0 – 10 V, ammeter range 0 – 5 A
Mark scheme