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P4 General Studies: Simple Circuits (Paper 1 (basics))
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P4 General Studies: Simple Circuits (Paper 1 (basics))
Paper one starts from the closed circuit, then works on conductors and series sums.
Direct answers Ask first whether the circuit is closed; the answer usually follows.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 |
| Suggested time | 20 |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: P4 General Studies: Simple Circuits |
| Level | parts of a closed circuit, conductors against insulators, series against parallel, adding up battery voltage, and electrical safety |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationWhat must a circuit have before a bulb can light up?
- FoundationWhat is the job of a switch in a circuit?
- FoundationWhich two of these are conductors: copper wire, rubber eraser, iron nail, glass cup?
- IntermediateA torch uses 2 batteries of 1.5 V each in series. What is the total voltage?
- IntermediateThree bulbs are in series and one works loose. How many bulbs still light?
- IntermediateA pupil tests 6 objects and 4 of them conduct. What proportion is that, in percentage points?
- ChallengeWhat happens if the battery is connected the other way round?
- ChallengeWith the same battery, which is brighter: 4 bulbs in series or 2 bulbs in series?
- ChallengeNine of 12 materials are insulators. What proportion is that, in percentage points?
- Error redoError clinic: once a bulb touches a battery it must light. True?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It must be a complete closed circuit with a battery, wires and a bulb, all connected. | If any part of the circuit is broken, current cannot flow and the bulb stays dark. |
| 2 | It closes or breaks the circuit. | When the switch is closed current flows; when it is open the circuit is broken. |
| 3 | The copper wire and the iron nail. | Most metals conduct electricity, while rubber and glass are insulators. |
| 4 | 3.0 V. | In series the voltages add up: 1.5 times 2 gives 3.0 V. |
| 5 | 0. | A series circuit has only one path, so one break switches them all off. |
| 6 | 66.7 percentage points. | Four divided by 6 times 100 gives 66.7 percentage points. |
| 7 | The bulb still lights, but the current flows the opposite way. | A bulb has no fixed polarity, although a motor would run backwards. |
| 8 | The pair of 2 bulbs is brighter. | The more bulbs in series, the less voltage each one gets, so they are dimmer. |
| 9 | 75.0 percentage points. | Nine divided by 12 times 100 gives 75.0 percentage points. |
| 10 | No. | The circuit must be closed, the switch on and the battery still good. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
After paper one, take paper two and sort out series against parallel in one pass.Tutor Registration →
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