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Date November 2020 Marks available 3 Reference code 20N.2.HL.TZ0.5
Level Higher level Paper Paper 2 Time zone 0 - no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 5 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph shows how current I varies with potential difference V across a component X.

Component X and a cell of negligible internal resistance are placed in a circuit.

A variable resistor R is connected in series with component X. The ammeter reads 20mA.

Component X and the cell are now placed in a potential divider circuit.

 

Outline why component X is considered non-ohmic.

[1]
a.

Determine the resistance of the variable resistor.

[3]
b(i).

Calculate the power dissipated in the circuit.

[1]
b(ii).

State the range of current that the ammeter can measure as the slider S of the potential divider is moved from Q to P.

[1]
c(i).

Slider S of the potential divider is positioned so that the ammeter reads 20mA. Explain, without further calculation, any difference in the power transferred by the potential divider arrangement over the arrangement in (b).

[3]
c(ii).

Markscheme

current is not «directly» proportional to the potential difference
OR
resistance of X is not constant
OR
resistance of X changes «with current/voltage»

a.

ALTERNATIVE 1

voltage across X=2.3«V»

voltage across R«=4.0-2.3»=1.7«V»

resistance of variable resistor «=1.70.020»=85«Ω» ✓

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

overall resistance «=4.00.020»=200«Ω» ✓

resistance of X «=2.30.020»=115«Ω» ✓

resistance of variable resistor «=200-115»=85«Ω» ✓

b(i).

power «=4.0×0.020»=0.080«W» 

b(ii).

from 0 to 60mA

c(i).

ALTERNATIVE 1

current from the cell is greater «than 20mA» ✓

because some of the current must flow through section SQ of the potentiometer ✓

overall power greater «than in part (b)» ✓

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

total/overall resistance decreases ✓

because SQ and X are in parallel ✓

overall power greater «than in part (b)» ✓


Allow the reverse argument.

c(ii).

Examiners report

Most answers that didn't score simply referred to the shape of the graph without any explanation as to what this meant to the relationship between the variables.

a.

This question produced a mixture of answers from the 2 alternatives given in the markscheme. As a minimum, many candidates were able to score a mark for the overall resistance of the circuit.

b(i).

A straightforward calculation question that most candidates answered correctly.

b(ii).

Surprisingly a significant number of candidates had difficulty with this. Answers of 20 mA and 4 V were often seen.

c(i).

HL only. This question challenged candidate's ability to describe clearly the changes in an electrical circuit. It revealed many misconceptions about the nature of electrical current and potential difference, of those who did have a grasp of what was going on the explanations often missed the second point in each of the markscheme alternatives as detail was missed about where the current was flowing or what was in parallel with what.

c(ii).

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 5: Electricity and magnetism » 5.2 – Heating effect of electric currents
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