Electricity and magnetism — IGCSE Physical Science (0652) questions by topic
Electricity and magnetism questions mix multiple-choice reasoning on fuses and split-ring commutators with calculations of current from charge and time, and structured questions on step-up transformers converting a 12 V car battery supply to 220 V. Calculate, identify, explain, deduce and state are the command words, and explain expects the underlying physics, such as why a transformer needs alternating current.
14 real questions from 2023 papers sit here, worth 1 to 9 marks. Because transformer turns ratios and current calculations depend on picking the right formula and units, submitting your working for instant marking lets you check each calculation step rather than only the final answer, catching an inverted ratio before it becomes a habit.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly report candidates giving thermostat where a different component was needed.
- Stronger candidates showed full working when finding the secondary turns on a transformer, and could explain why a transformer needs alternating current to work.
- Reports note that thermistor was known by most candidates, in contrast to the more frequent thermostat error elsewhere in the same set of questions.
October–November 2023, Paper 21
Which metal is used to make the core of an electromagnet and what is a property of an electromagnet? metal used for core property of electromagnet A soft iron it can be switched…
Answer this question and get it marked →In 2.0 hours, a charge of 5000 C flows at a constant rate past a point in a circuit. What is the current in the circuit? A 0.69 A B 42 A C 2500 A D 10 000 A
Answer this question and get it marked →A lamp is in a circuit that is protected by a 1 A fuse. The lamp is switched on and it lights normally. The 1 A fuse is now replaced with a 5 A fuse. What happens when the lamp is…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is the purpose of the split-ring commutator in a d.c. motor? A to prevent the current in the coil from becoming too large B to reverse the current in the coil every half-turn…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Which metal is used to make the core of an electromagnet and what is a property of an electromagnet? metal used for core property of electromagnet A soft iron it can be switched…
Answer this question and get it marked →In 2.0 hours, a charge of 5000 C flows at a constant rate past a point in a circuit. What is the current in the circuit? A 0.69 A B 42 A C 2500 A D 10 000 A
Answer this question and get it marked →A lamp is in a circuit that is protected by a 1 A fuse. The lamp is switched on and it lights normally. The 1 A fuse is now replaced with a 5 A fuse. What happens when the lamp is…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is the purpose of the split-ring commutator in a d.c. motor? A to prevent the current in the coil from becoming too large B to reverse the current in the coil every half-turn…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
A student makes a circuit using two cells, two switches S1 and S2, and two lamps L1 and L2 as shown in Fig. 6.1. In Fig. 6.1 the two cells, two switches and two lamps are all…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
A student makes a circuit using two cells, two switches S1 and S2, and two lamps L1 and L2 as shown in Fig. 6.1. In Fig. 6.1 the two cells, two switches and two lamps are all…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Fig. 8.1 shows a cell, a resistor R and component S connected in series. The potential difference between points A and B (across S) is used to control an electrical heater. The…
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 10.1 shows a circuit that produces a 220 V electrical supply from a 12 V car battery, including a d.c. to a.c. converter (first stage) and a step-up transformer (12 V a.c.…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Fig. 8.1 shows a cell, a resistor R and component S connected in series. The potential difference between points A and B (across S) is used to control an electrical heater. The…
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 10.1 shows a circuit that produces a 220 V electrical supply from a 12 V car battery, including a d.c. to a.c. converter (first stage) and a step-up transformer (12 V a.c.…
Answer this question and get it marked →