3 (a) State the name of the particles that flow in an electric current in a metal wire. … [1] (b) Fig. 3.1 shows an incomplete circuit diagram. (i) Complete the circuit diagram by adding: • an ammeter to measure the current in the lamp • a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the lamp. Fig. 3.1 [3] (ii) When the variable resistor is adjusted, the brightness of the lamp changes. Explain why this happens. … … … … [2] (iii) The lamp has a resistance of 20 Ω. The current in the lamp is 0.5 A. Calculate the potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp. p.d. = … V [2] (iv) A second lamp of resistance 20 Ω is connected in parallel with the first lamp. State the effect this has on the total resistance of the circuit. … [1] [Total: 9]

3(a) electrons ; 1 3(b)(i) M1 ammeter symbol ; M2 voltmeter symbol ; M3 voltmeter in parallel with lamp only in fully correct circuit ; 3 3(b)(ii) (change in resistance) changes current ; more resistance / less current, means dimmer bulb ; 2 3(b)(iii) R = V / I or V = I R / = 0.5 × 20 ; (p.d. =) 10 (V) ; 2 3(b)(iv) decreases / reduces / lowers / gets less ; 1 (a) You must state that 'electrons' are the particles that flow in an electric current in a metal wire. (b)(i) You need to draw the correct symbol for an ammeter, the correct symbol for a voltmeter, and ensure the voltmeter is connected in parallel across only the lamp in a fully correct circuit. (b)(ii) You must explain that adjusting the variable resistor changes the current, and that more resistance or less current leads to a dimmer bulb. (b)(iii) You need to show the correct formula or calculation (V = I x R or 0.5 x 20) and state the correct potential difference of 10 V. (b)(iv) You must state that connecting a second lamp in parallel 'decreases' the total resistance of the circuit.

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a cylinder made of solid copper. Fig. 3.1 The cylinder has a: • height of 25 cm • radius of 10 cm • mass of 70 000 g. (i) Show that the volume of the copper cylinder is 7850 cm3. π = 3.14 [2] (ii) Use the information above to calculate the density of copper in g / cm3. density = … g / cm3 [2] (b) Fig. 3.2 shows two electrically charged copper spheres next to each other. + + sphere A sphere B + + + + + + + + + + – – – – – – – – – – – – Fig. 3.2 (i) State which sphere is charged with an excess of electrons. Give a reason for your answer. sphere … reason … … [1] (ii) On Fig. 3.2 the force arrow shows the direction of the force exerted on sphere A by sphere B. Explain why sphere B exerts this force on sphere A. … … [2] (c) A length of thin copper wire has a resistance of 3 Ω. The potential difference (p.d.) across the wire is 12 V. Calculate the current in the copper wire. State the unit of your answer. current = … unit … [3] [Total: 10]

3(a)(i) volume of cylinder = πr2 l ; 3.14 × 100 × 25 (= 7850 cm3) ; 2 3(a)(ii) density = mass ÷ volume / ρ = m ÷ V / = 70 000 ÷ 7850 ; (density =) 8.9(2) (g / cm3) ; 2 3(b)(i) sphere: B (no mark) reason: negatively charged ; 1 3(b)(ii) opposite charges ; attract ; 2 3(c) R = V ÷ I / I = V ÷ R / = 12 ÷ 3 ; (current =) 4 ; (unit) amp / A ; 3 (a)(i) To earn these marks, you must show the formula for the volume of a cylinder (πr²l) and then correctly substitute the given values to calculate 3.14 × 100 × 25, resulting in 7850 cm³. (a)(ii) You need to show the formula for density (mass ÷ volume) or substitute the given mass and calculated volume (70000 ÷ 7850), and then provide the correct answer of 8.9(2) g/cm³. (b)(i) The mark is earned by identifying sphere B and stating that it is negatively charged. (b)(ii) You must explain that opposite charges attract to earn these marks. (c) To earn these marks, you need to show the formula I = V ÷ R or substitute the values (12 ÷ 3), calculate the current as 4, and include the correct unit 'amp' or 'A'.

6 Fig. 6.1 shows a battery-powered electric bus. Fig. 6.1 The batteries are charged from the electricity supply through the cables. When the batteries are fully charged, the cable is unplugged and the bus is driven away. (a) (i) Complete the useful energy change when the batteries are being charged. electrical energy … energy [1] (ii) State the useful form of energy the bus has as it moves along the road. … [1] (b) The bus accelerates. Describe how the driving force on the bus compares with the frictional forces acting on the bus as it accelerates. … … [1] (c) The bus travels 15 km in 20 minutes. Calculate the average speed of the bus in metres per second. speed = … m/s [3] (d) Fig. 6.2 shows the electric circuit in the bus that: • powers the electric motor • lights the headlamps. M A B Fig. 6.2 M is the symbol for an electric motor (i) Name the component at point A. … [1] (ii) State the type of circuit connection for the two lamps. … [1] (iii) Suggest why the component at point A is not connected at point B in the circuit. Include ideas about the motor and the lamps in your answer. … … … … [2] [Total: 10]

6(a)(i) chemical ; 1 6(a)(ii) kinetic ; 1 6(b) (driving force is) larger / more (than the frictional force) ; 1 6(c) average speed = distance / time taken ; unit conversions = 15 000 m and 1200 s ; (15 000 / 1200 =) 12.5 (m / s) ; 3 6(d)(i) variable resistor ; 1 6(d)(ii) series ; 1 6(d)(iii) (the variable resistor) at point A (only) controls the motors ; (if the variable resistor was) at point B (would) control / affect (brightness of) the headlamps ; 2 (a)(i) The mark is earned by stating 'chemical' energy as the useful energy change. (a)(ii) You must identify 'kinetic' energy as the useful form of energy the bus has when moving. (b) The mark is earned by stating that the driving force is 'larger' or 'more' than the frictional force. (c) To earn these marks, you must show the formula for average speed (distance/time), correctly convert the units to 15000m and 1200s, and then calculate the speed as 12.5 m/s. (d)(i) The mark is earned by naming 'variable resistor' as the component at point A. (d)(ii) You must state that the headlamps are connected in 'series'. (d)(iii) To earn these marks, you need to explain that the variable resistor at point A only controls the motor, and if it were at point B, it would control or affect the brightness of the headlamps.

9 (a) Two identical street lamps are connected in parallel to the mains electricity supply. Each lamp has its own switch. (i) Complete the circuit diagram for these lamps. electricity supply [3] (ii) The voltage of the electricity supply is 220 V. The current flowing in one lamp when lit is 0.40 A. Calculate the resistance of one lamp. State the unit of your answer. resistance = … unit … [3] (iii) Circle the correct value for the current from the electricity supply when both lamps are lit. Give a reason for your answer. 0.2 A 0.4 A 0.8 A reason … … [1] (b) Fig. 9.1 shows a street lamp seen by a car driver looking at the reflection in the car mirror. Draw a ray diagram to show how a light ray from the lamp is reflected to the driver’s eye. Your drawing should include the normal at the mirror. street lamp driver’s eye mirror Fig. 9.1 [3] [Total: 10]

9(a)(i) 3 correct symbols for lamp and switch ; one switch in series in each branch ; two lamps in parallel with power supply ; 9(a)(ii) R = V ÷ I = 220 ÷ 0.4 ; = 550 ; ohms / Ω ; 3 9(a)(iii) 0.8 A (circled) AND (reason) current from source greater than in branches for parallel circuit ; 1 9(b) 3 incident ray from light and reflected ray to driver’s eye, arrow included ; normal shown, approx. 90° by eye ; angles of incidence and reflection judged equal by eye ; To earn marks for the circuit diagram, you need to use correct symbols for lamps and switches, ensure one switch is in series with each lamp, and connect both lamps in parallel to the power supply. For resistance, you must show the correct calculation (V/I), state the correct numerical answer (550), and provide the correct unit (ohms or Ω). For the current, you need to circle '0.8 A' and explain that the current from the source is greater than in individual branches for a parallel circuit. For the ray diagram, you must draw an incident ray from the lamp and a reflected ray to the driver's eye with arrows, show a normal line approximately 90° to the mirror, and ensure the angles of incidence and reflection are judged equal.

36 The diagram shows the scale of an analogue ammeter. 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.1 0 A What is the reading on the ammeter? A 0.22 A B 0.24 A C 0.27 A D 0.36 A

Answer: B To earn the mark, a student must correctly read the analogue ammeter scale as 0.24 A, which is option B.

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science · 0653

IGCSE Combined Science (0653) Electricity past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Combined Science (0653) — Electricity with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

357 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Electricity in IGCSE Combined Science 0653 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Electricity accounted for 404 questions worth 1,292 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	46	156
2021	79	247
2022	81	226
2023	73	234
2024	73	234
2025	52	195

Most-tested subtopics

P4.1 Electrical quantities909 marks
P4.2 Electrical circuits882 marks
P4.4 Cells, batteries, generators and motors119 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 141 qs
Paper 2 · 150 qs
Paper 3 · 45 qs
Paper 4 · 44 qs
Paper 5 · 8 qs
Paper 6 · 16 qs

All most-tested Combined Science topics

2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q6 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q9 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 1 · Q36 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q36
Answer: B
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