Electric current and circuits — KCSE Physics

KCSE Physics · 115 practice questions · 11 syllabus objectives

38 easy46 medium31 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Read and interpret ammeter, voltmeter, and CRO scale readings

Define electric current, potential difference and resistance; state their SI units and measuring instruments

Calculate the equivalent resistance for resistors in series (R = R₁+R₂+...) and in parallel (1/R = 1/R₁+1/R₂+...)

Apply Kirchhoff's current law (sum of currents at a junction = 0) and voltage law to solve circuit problems

Define electric current, potential difference and their SI units; calculate charge given current and time

State Ohm's law, describe verification experiments, and distinguish Ohmic from non-Ohmic conductors

Define resistance and resistivity; state factors affecting resistance of a metallic conductor

Define EMF, describe experiments to determine internal resistance and EMF of a cell, and apply E = V + Ir

Derive and apply formulae for effective resistance of resistors in series and parallel combinations

Solve circuit problems involving current, voltage drops, and complex resistor networks

Electric current and circuits

Sample Questions

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1
easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

An ammeter is set up in a circuit with a maximum reading of 10 A, divided into 100 equal divisions. (a) What is the value of each division on the ammeter? (1 mark) (b) If the pointer is at the 45th division, what is the current reading? (1 mark)

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Part (a) — 1 mark
Value of each division = 10 A / 100 divisions = 0.1 A (1 mk)
Part (b) — 1 mark
Current reading = 45 divisions × 0.1 A = 4.5 A (1 mk)
2
easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

State the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in an electrical circuit according to Ohm's Law. (2 marks)

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 2 marks
Current (I) is directly proportional to voltage (V) and inversely proportional to resistance (R) (1 mk)
This can be expressed as V = I × R (1 mk)
3
easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

State the formula for calculating the effective resistance of three resistors connected in parallel. (3 marks)

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 3 marks
1/R_effective = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + 1/R₃ (2 mks)
Correctly identifies that R_effective is the overall resistance (1 mk)
4

State the formula for calculating the effective resistance of two resistors connected in series. (2 marks)

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Why Practise Electric current and circuits?

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