LetStudy — Cambridge exam practice

M/J · 5054/22 · 2025 · Q56 marks · sit it in its paper

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Theory: answer all nine questions. Show working and units. For drawings or plotted graphs, upload a clear photo of your sketch on the supplied figure.

A student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 5.1 to measure the resistance of a length of wire. The circuit contains four identical cells.

The student finds that both meters read zero when the switch is closed. This is because the circuit shown in Fig. 5.1 is not suitable for the measurement.

(a)Describe all the changes to the circuit in Fig. 5.1 that are needed so that the meters produce readings that can be used to calculate the resistance of the length of wire.

Fig. 5.1 — see the question text for what it shows

Answer guidance

Describe Say what happens, in order. Reasons are not required unless the question also asks why.

[2 marks]

Fig. 5.2 shows the current–voltage graph for a 9.0 cm length of wire (line P) and for a different length of the same wire with the same cross-sectional area (line Q).

(b)(i)Calculate the resistance of the 9.0 cm length of wire.

Fig. 5.2 — see the question text for what it shows

Answer guidance

Calculate Show your working. The method can earn marks even when the final value is wrong, and a bare answer often cannot.

[2 marks]

(b)(ii)Explain whether line Q is obtained with a length of wire that is longer or shorter than 9.0 cm.

Answer guidance

Explain Give reasons, not just what happens. Each distinct reason is usually worth a mark.

[1 mark]

(b)(iii)Calculate the length of the wire used to obtain line Q.

Answer guidance

Calculate Show your working. The method can earn marks even when the final value is wrong, and a bare answer often cannot.

[1 mark]

Physics (Cambridge)

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