Headington School

RESISTIVITY

Q1.A cylindrical conductor of length l, diameter D, and resistivity ρ has a resistance R.

What is the resistance of another cylindrical conductor of length l, diameter , and

resistivity ρ?

A 8R

B 4R

C 2R

D R

(Total 1 mark)

[Link] graph shows how the resistance per unit length r of a wire varies with diameter D of
the wire?

A B C D

(Total 1 mark)
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Headington School

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[Link] resistance of a metallic conductor increases with temperature because, at higher

temperatures,

A more electrons become available for conduction

B the conductor becomes a superconductor
C the amplitude of vibration of lattice ions increases
D the length and cross-sectional area of the conductor both increase

(Total 1 mark)​

Q4.A 1.5 m length of wire has a cross-sectional area 5.0 × 10–8 m 2. When the potential
difference across its ends is 0.20 V, it carries a current of 0.40 A. The resistivity of the
material from which the wire is made is

A 6.0 × 107 Ω m
B 1.7 × 10–8 Ω m
C 1.1 × 106 Ω m
D 9.4 × 10–7 Ω m

(Total 1 mark)

[Link] metal is a good conductor of electricity because copper atoms in copper metal

A have gained an extra or “free” electron

B are ionised so that both ions and “free” electrons can move
C have a negative charge because of the “free” electrons
D have lost an electron to form positive ions and “free” electrons

(Total 1 mark)

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Headington School

[Link] diagram shows two wires, P and Q, of equal length, joined in series with a cell. A
voltmeter is connected between the end of Q and a point X on the wires. The p.d. across
the cell is V. Wire Q has twice the area of cross-section and twice the resistivity of wire P.
The variation of the voltmeter reading as the point X is moved along the wires is best
shown by

(Total 1 mark)

[Link] resistors R1 and R2 are made of wires of the same material. The wire used for R1 has
half the diameter and is twice as long as the wire used for R2.

What is the value of the ratio ?

A 8

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Headington School

B 4

C 1

D 0.5
(Total 1 mark)
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[Link] critical temperature of tin is −269 °C. The resistivity of tin increases as its temperature rises
from −269 °C.

(a) (i) Define resistivity.

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(2)

(ii) State the significance of the critical temperature of a material.

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(2)
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(b) A sample of tin in the form of a cylinder of diameter 1.0 mm and length 4.8 m has a
resistance of 0.70 Ω.

Use these data to calculate a value of the resistivity of tin.

State an appropriate unit for your answer.

resistivity ..................................... unit ....................

(4)

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Headington School

(Total 8 marks)
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[Link] room temperature a metal has a resistivity of 4.5 × 10 Ωm. A wire made from this metal
−7

has a radius of 0.70 mm.

(a) (i) Calculate the resistance of a 2.5 m length of the wire at room temperature.

resistance ...............................................Ω
(3)

(ii) Calculate the power dissipated in this length of wire when it carries a current of
20 mA. Assume the resistance of the wire is constant.

power ...............................................W
(2)​
​

(b) The wire becomes superconducting as it is cooled. Draw a sketch graph on the axes
below to show how the wire’s resistivity would vary with temperature as it is cooled
from room temperature θ . r

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Headington School

(3)
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(c) Explain why the efficiency of electrical power transmission is improved when
conventional wires are replaced with superconducting wires.

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(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Q10.A copper connecting wire is 0.75 m long and has a cross-sectional area of 1.3 × 10 m . −7 2

(a) Calculate the resistance of the wire.

resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10 Ωm −7

resistance = ........................................... Ω
(2)

(b) A 12 V 25 W lamp is connected to a power supply of negligible internal resistance

using two of the connecting wires. The lamp is operating at its rated power.

(i) Calculate the current flowing in the lamp.

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Headington School

current = ........................................... A
(1)

(ii) Calculate the pd across each of the wires.

pd = ........................................... V
(1)​

(iii) Calculate the emf (electromotive force) of the power supply.

emf = ........................................... V
(2)
​

(c) The lamp used in part (b) is connected by the same two wires to a power supply of
the same emf but whose internal resistance is not negligible.

State and explain what happens to the brightness of the lamp when compared to its
brightness in part (b).

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

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Headington School

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Q11. (a) State what is meant by a superconducting material.

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(2)
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(b) State an application of a superconductor and explain why it is useful in this

application.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)

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Q12.A teacher wishes to construct a 2.0 Ω resistor from a metal wire of length 0.94 m. The
metal wire has an electrical resistivity of 4.9 × 10 Ω m.​ –7

Calculate the required diameter of the wire.

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Headington School

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diameter ................................. mm
(Total 4 marks)
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Q13.(a) A sample of conducting putty is rolled into a cylinder which is 6.0 × 10 m long and –2

has a radius of 1.2 × 10 m. –2

resistivity of the putty = 4.0 × 10 Ωm. –3

​
​

Calculate the resistance between the ends of the cylinder of conducting putty.​
Your answer should be given to an appropriate number of significant figures.

answer = ...................................... Ω
(4)
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​

(b) Given the original cylinder of the conducting putty described in part (a), describe
how you would use a voltmeter, ammeter and other standard laboratory equipment
to determine a value for the resistivity of the putty.

Your description should include

• a labelled circuit diagram,

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Headington School

• details of the measurements you would make,

• an account of how you would use your measurements to determine the result,
• details of how to improve the precision of your measurements.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in this question.

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(8)
(Total 12 marks)
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Q14. The wire in an electric heater has a resistance of 75 Ω. It is 9.5 m long and has a
cross-sectional area of 1.4 × 10 m .​ –7 2

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Calculate the resistivity of the material from which the wire is made.​
Give an appropriate unit for your answer.

resistivity ...........................................
(Total 3 marks)

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​

Q15. When transmitting electricity, energy is lost owing to the resistance of the cables.

Calculate the resistance of 200 km of copper cable with cross-sectional area 1.5 × 10 m . −5 2

resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10 Ω m

−8

resistance .................................
(Total 3 marks)​

Q16. (a) A student wishes to measure the resistivity of the material of a uniform
resistance wire. The available apparatus includes a battery, a switch, a variable
resistor, an ammeter and a voltmeter.

(i) Draw a circuit diagram which incorporates some or all of this apparatus and
which enables the student to determine the resistivity of the material.

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Headington School

(ii) State the measurements which must be made to ensure that a reliable value
of the resistivity is obtained.

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(iii) Explain how a value of the resistivity would be obtained from the
measurements.

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(10)
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(b) A wire made from tin with cross-sectional area 7.8 × 10 m , has a pd of 2.0 V –9 2

across it. Calculate the minimum length of wire needed so that the current through it
does not exceed 4.0 A.

resistivity of tin = 1.1 × 10 Ω m –7

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Headington School

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(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q17. (a) For a conductor in the form of a wire of uniform cross-sectional area, give an
equation which relates its resistance to the resistivity of the material of the
conductor. Define the symbols used in the equation.

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(2)
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(b) (i) An electrical heating element, made from uniform nichrome wire, is required
to dissipate 500 W when connected to the 230 V mains supply. ​
The cross-sectional area of the wire is 8.0 × 10 m . Calculate the length of ​
–8 2

nichrome wire required.

resistivity of nichrome = 1.1 × 10 Ω m –6

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(ii) Two heating elements, each rated at 230 V, 500 W are connected to the 230
mains supply

(A) in series, ​
(B) in parallel.

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Headington School

Explain why only one of the circuits will provide an output of 1 kW.

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(6)
(Total 8 marks)

Q18. (a) A metal wire of length 1.4 m has a uniform cross-sectional area = 7.8 × 10 –7

m . Calculate the resistance, R, of the wire.​

2

resistivity of the metal = 1.7 × 10 Ωm –8

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(2)
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(b) The wire is now stretched to twice its original length by a process that keeps its
volume constant. If the resistivity of the metal of the wire remains constant, show
that the resistance increases to 4R.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)​

Q19.(a) (i) Give the equation which relates the electrical resistivity of a conducting material
to its resistance. Define the symbols in the equation.

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Headington School

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(ii) A potential difference of 1.5 V exists across the ends of a copper wire of length
2.0 m and uniform radius 0.40 mm. Calculate the current in the wire.

resistivity of copper = 1.7 × 10–8 Ω m

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(5)
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(b) In the circuit shown, each resistor has the same resistance. The battery has an
e.m.f. of 12 V and negligible internal resistance.

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(i) Calculate the potential difference between A and B.

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Headington School

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(ii) Calculate the potential difference between B and C.

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(iii) A high resistance voltmeter is connected between A and C. What is the

reading on the voltmeter?

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(5)
(Total 10 marks)
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Q20.(a) Show that the unit of resistivity is Ω m.

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(1)
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(b) A cable consists of seven straight strands of copper wire each of diameter 1.35 mm
as shown in the diagram.

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Headington School

Calculate

(i) the cross-sectional area of one strand of copper wire,

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(ii) the resistance of a 100 m length of the cable, given that the resistivity of
copper is 1.6 × 10–8 Ωm.

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(4)

(c) (i) If the cable in part (b) carries a current of 20 A, what is the potential difference
between the ends of the cable?

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(ii) If a single strand of the copper wire in part (b) carried a current of 20 A, what
would be the potential difference between its ends?

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(2)
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(d) State one advantage of using a stranded rather than a solid core cable with copper
of the same total cross-sectional area.

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Headington School

(1)
(Total 8 marks)
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Q21.A particular heating element consists of a 3.0 m length of a metal alloy wire of diameter 1.2
mm and resistivity 9.3 × 10–6 Ωm at the element’s operating temperature. The element is
designed for use with a 230 V supply. Calculate the rating, in W, of the heating element
when in use.

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(Total 4 marks)
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Headington School

M1.B
[1]

M2.D
[1]

M3.C
[1]

M4.B
[1]

M5.D
[1]

M6.B
[1]

M7.A
[1]​

M8.(a) (i) resistivity is defined as ​

​
​
where R is the resistance of the material of length l ✓ ​
and cross-sectional area A ✓
2
​
​

(ii) below the critical temperature / maximum temperature which resistivity /

resistance ✓ ​
is zero / becomes superconductor ✓
Any reference to negligible / small / very low resistance loses
second mark
2
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(b) (use of )​
​
ρ = 0.70 × π × 0.0005 / 4.8 ✓ = 1.1(5) × 10 (1.1 – 1.2) ✓ ✓ Ω m ✓
2 −7

First mark for substitution R and l ​

Lose 1 mark if diameter used as radius and answer is 4
times too big (4.4 – 4.8) OR if power of ten error

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Headington School

4
[8]
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M9.(a) (i) calculated cross-sectional area = 1.54 × 10 (m ) or correct substitution

−6 2

C1
1.6 × 10 (treating r as A) gains 2
−3

into resistivity equation with incorrect powers of ten correct substitution

C1

into resistivity equation with correct powers of ten

0.73 (Ω)

A1
3
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(ii) Sub into I R irrespective of power of 10 [ecf from (a)(i)]

2

C1

2.96 × 10 (W)
−4

A1
2
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(b) line with positive slope (linear or curve)

B1

knee and vertical line shown in first 2 / 3 on temperature axis

B1

resistivity falling to zero above 0 K

B1
3
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(c) (with no resistance there can be) no power loss

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Headington School

B1
1
[9]
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M10.(a) (use of ρ=RA / l)​

R = 1.7 × 10 × 0.75 / 1.3 × 10
−7
​
−7

R = 0.98 Ω
First mark for sub. and rearranging of equation.​
Bald 0.98 gets both marks​
Final answer correct to 2 or more sig. figs.
2
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(b) (i) (use of P=VI) I= 2.08 A

1
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(ii) V=2.08 × 0.98 = 2.04 V

C.E. from (a) and (b)(i)
1
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(iii) emf = 12 + 2 × 2.04 = 16.1 V

C.E. from (b)(ii)​
If only use one wire then C.E. for second mark
2
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(c) lamp would be less bright ​

as energy / power now wasted in internal resistance / battery​
OR terminal pd less​
OR current lower (due to greater resistance)
No C.E. from first mark
2
[8]
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M11. (a) no resistance

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Headington School

M1

(at or) below critical temperature

A1

alternative:

allow a labelled diagram which indicates features, allow T for​

c

transition temp in diagram

2
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​

(b) Use

eg mri scanner, transformer, generator, maglev train, particle​

accelerators, microchips, computers, energy storage with detail

B1

Reason

eg strong magnetic field, no energy dissipation (mri scanner / maglev​

/ particle accelerator)​
higher (processing) speeds, smaller, no​
energy dissipation

(microchip / computer)

B1

smaller, no energy dissipation, no fire risk (transformer / generator)​

no energy dissipation (power transmission / energy storage with detail)
2
[4]

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M12.A = 4.9 × 10 × 0.95 ÷ 2

–7

C1

area = 2.30 × 10 –7

C1

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Headington School

radius = √((A/π)) = 2.7 × 10 (mm)

–1

C1

diameter = 0.54 (mm)

A1
4
[4]
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M13.(a) (use of R = ρl/A)

R = 4.0 × 10 × 0.060 (1)/(π × 0.012 ) (1)

–3 2

R = 0.53 (Ω) (1)

2 significant figures (1)

4
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(b) the mark scheme for this part of the question includes an overall​
assessment for the Quality of Written Communication

circuit must include:

voltmeter and ammeter connected correctly (1)

power supply with means of varying current (1)

2

mark
QWC descriptor
range
(i) Uses accurately appropriate grammar, spelling,
punctuation and legibility.
(ii) Uses the most appropriate form and style of writing
to give an explanation or to present an argument in a
well structured piece of extended writing.​
[may include bullet points and/or formulae or
good-excellent equations] 5-6
An excellent candidate will have a working circuit diagram
with correct description of measurements (including
range of results) and processing. An excellent candidate
uses a range of results and finds a mean value or uses a
graphical method, eg I-V characteristics. They also
mention precision eg use of vernier callipers.

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Headington School

(i) Only a few errors.

(ii) Some structure to answer, style acceptable,
arguments or explanations partially supported by
evidence or examples.
modest-​
3-4
adequate An adequate candidate will have a working circuit and a
description with only a few errors, eg do not consider
precision. They have not taken a range of results and fail
to realise that the diameter needs to be measured in
several places.
(i) Several significant errors.
(ii) Answer lacking structure, arguments not supported
poor-​ by evidence and contains limited information.
1-2
limited
Several significant errors, eg important measurement
missed, incorrect circuit, no awareness of how to
calculate resistivity.
incorrect,
inappropriate or 0
no response
​
​

The explanation expected in a good answer should include a coherent​

account of the procedure and include most of the following points.

• length with a ruler

• thickness/diameter with vernier callipers/micrometer

• measure voltage

• measure current

• calculate resistance

• use of graph, eg I-V or resistance against length

• use of diameter to calculate cross-sectional area

• mention of precision, eg vernier callipers or full scale readings​

for V and I

• flat metal electrodes at each end to improve connection

6
[12]

M14. correct substitution of data in resistivity formula

C1

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Headington School

1.1(1) × 10 (1)–6

A1

Ωm (1)

B1
[3]​

M15. use of R = (1)

227 (1)

Ω (1)
[3]

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M16. (a) (i) circuit diagram to show:

wire, ammeter, battery, (variable resistor) and switch in series (1)
[or potentiometer with ammeter in correct position]
voltmeter across the wire (1)
​
​

(ii) (method: constant length of wire)

measure length (of wire) (1)
measure diameter (of wire) (1)
measure voltage (across) and current (through wire) (1)
vary resistor to obtain different voltage and current (1)
alternative
[(method: variable length of wire)
measure length (each time) (1)
measure diameter (1)
(for full length of wire) measure voltage and current (1)
voltmeter to shorter lengths, measure voltage (and current) (1)]
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Headington School

(iii) (use of) ρ = (to calculate ρ) (1) (for either method)

calculate A from (πr ) (1) (for either method)
2

(method: constant length of wire)

determine for (one) length (1)

repeat readings (for same length and) take mean of ρ or R (1)
[or plot graph of V vs I to give mean R (1)

or gradien = (1)]
alternative
[(method: variable length of wire)

determine for each length (1)

calculate ρ for each length and take mean (1)
[or graph of R vs l (1) with correct gradient (1)]
10
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(b) (use of gives) (1)

l = 0.035 m (1)
2
[12]

M17. (a) R= (1)​

ρ is resistivity, l is the length of the wire, A is the cross-sectional area (1)

2
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(b) (i) P= (1)

R= = 106(Ω)(1) (105.8 Ω)

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Headington School

l= = = 7.7 m (1) (7.69 m)

(allow C.E. for incorrect value of R )

​
​

(ii) in series, voltage across each < 230 V or pd shared (1)

power (= V /R) is less than 500 W in each (1)

2

in parallel, voltage across each = 230 V (1)

correct rating, conclusion (1)

[or, in series, high resistance or combined resistance (1)

low current (1)

in parallel, resistance is lower, higher current (1)

more power, justified (1)]

max 6
[8]

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M18. (a) R= (1)

= 0.031 Ω (1) (0.0305 Ω)

2
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(b) constant volume gives l A = l A

1 1 2 2

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Headington School

[or l = 2l and A = A /2] (1)

2 1 2 1

R= =4R (1)

[or calculation with l = 2.8 (m) and A = 3.9 (m ) (1)]

2 2
2

gives R = 0.124 Ω (1)]

2
[4]

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M19.(a) (i) resistivity defined by ρ = (1)

symbols defined

​
​

(ii) ​

= 0.068 (Ω) (1) (0.0676 Ω)

I= = 22 A (1) (22.2 A)

(allow e.c.f. from value of R)

(5)
​
​

(b) (i) pdAB = × 12 = 8 V (1) (1)

​
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Headington School

(ii) pdBC = ( × 12) = 4 V (1)

​
​

(iii) pdAC = potential at A – potential at C (1)​

= (8 – 4) = 4 V (1)​
(allow e.c.f. from (i) and (ii))
(5)
[10]
​

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M20.(a)
1
​
​

(b) (i) A = 1.43 × 10 m (1) –6 2

(ii) R strand = = 1.1Ω (1)

R cable = (1) = 0.16Ω (1)

alternative (ii):​
A = 7 (1) × 1.4 × 10–6​
substitution (1)​
leading to Rcable = 0.16 Ω (1)
4
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(c) (i) V = 3.2 V (1)

(ii) V = 7 × 3.2 V = 22V (1)

2
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(d) cable is flexible (*)​

one strand fails, cable continues to conduct (*)​
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Headington School

larger surface area so better heat dissipation etc (*)​

(*) any one (1)
1
[8]
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​

M21.A = 1.13 × 10–6 (m2) (1)

R= = 24.7(Ω) (1)

P= [or I = 9.32 A] (1) = 2.1(4) × 103 (W) (1)

[4]
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