Cambridge International AS & A Level · 10 · structured
Draw and interpret all 27 prescribed symbols
Use the complete Cambridge circuit-symbol set · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.
- Demand
- demanding
- Marks
- 31
- Topics
- 2
- Answer
- Complete
Use the prescribed Cambridge symbols, straight wires and junction dots. Draw the seven circuits in parts (a)–(g), label terminals where relevant, and answer each interpretation. These are schematic exercises, not instructions to connect arbitrary real equipment without checking ratings.
- (a)
Draw one cell, switch, variable resistor, ammeter and lamp in series, and voltmeter across the lamp. Explain the two meter positions.
6 marks - (b)
Draw a battery feeding + and 0 V rails. Draw a potentiometer across them with its wiper as a labelled output; on separate branches draw fixed-resistor/LDR and fixed-resistor/thermistor dividers. Show junction dots and an earth/reference symbol on the 0 V rail. Identify which connections are the potentiometer's three terminals and how LDR/NTC resistances respond to light/heat.
7 marks - (c)
Use the general power-supply symbol to feed four parallel branches containing an electric bell, buzzer, heater and motor. Distinguish bell/buzzer shapes and state which electrical quantity is common to all four outputs.
5 marks - (d)
Draw an a.c. supply, capacitor and loudspeaker in a series loop. Explain how the capacitor symbol differs from a cell and how the a.c. symbol differs from the general supply.
4 marks - (e)
Draw a microphone connected across an oscilloscope input. State the measured signal quantity.
3 marks - (f)
Draw a generator connected through a fixed resistor and galvanometer in a complete loop. Explain how the two G-related devices are distinguished in the prescribed symbols.
3 marks - (g)
Draw a source feeding a diode, LED and current-limiting resistor in series, oriented so both diodes can conduct conventional current. Identify cathode bars and light arrows.
3 marks
Ready to self-mark?Reveal the detailed answer guide
(a)
Draw one cell, switch, variable resistor, ammeter and lamp in series, and voltmeter across the lamp. Explain the two meter positions.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Six correct symbols; one series current path through A and lamp; V connects only across the lamp. A measures that path's current, V its p.d.
(b)
Draw a battery feeding + and 0 V rails. Draw a potentiometer across them with its wiper as a labelled output; on separate branches draw fixed-resistor/LDR and fixed-resistor/thermistor dividers. Show junction dots and an earth/reference symbol on the 0 V rail. Identify which connections are the potentiometer's three terminals and how LDR/NTC resistances respond to light/heat.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Battery, two rails, correct separate slider terminal, fixed resistor rectangles, inward-arrow LDR, bent-slash thermistor, filled junctions, earth at0V. LDR resistance falls with light; NTC resistance falls with temperature.
(c)
Use the general power-supply symbol to feed four parallel branches containing an electric bell, buzzer, heater and motor. Distinguish bell/buzzer shapes and state which electrical quantity is common to all four outputs.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Supply open circles, bell upper dome, buzzer lower cup, subdivided heater rectangle and M-circle motor. All branches share supply p.d.; currents need not be equal.
(d)
Draw an a.c. supply, capacitor and loudspeaker in a series loop. Explain how the capacitor symbol differs from a cell and how the a.c. symbol differs from the general supply.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
AC terminal symbol has sine mark; capacitor has equal plates with a gap (not cell long/short plates); speaker has cone/body/two connections.
(e)
Draw a microphone connected across an oscilloscope input. State the measured signal quantity.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Microphone diaphragm-circle symbol and scope angular-trace circle across its terminals; the scope measures input voltage versus time, not uncalibrated sound displacement.
(f)
Draw a generator connected through a fixed resistor and galvanometer in a complete loop. Explain how the two G-related devices are distinguished in the prescribed symbols.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Generator is rectangular G; galvanometer is circle with pointer arrow, not G. Resistor limits current; meter indicates current/direction.
(g)
Draw a source feeding a diode, LED and current-limiting resistor in series, oriented so both diodes can conduct conventional current. Identify cathode bars and light arrows.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Both bars point toward negative return relative to forward current; LED adds outgoing light arrows; resistor is series current limiter.
Complete marking guidance
Use these worked steps alongside the part-by-part answers. They explain the method and mark allocation; they do not add extra marks.
- Check every one of the 27 prescribed shapes against the labelled reference.
- Trace each complete path and every shared node rather than grading by page layout.
- Apply the part-specific connection and interpretation criteria below.
Private on this device