Lesson 4.2.2

4.2.2 Series and parallel circuits Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.2.2, Series and parallel circuits: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 2: Electricity, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In a series circuit, what is the same through each component?

    • The resistance
    • The current
    • The potential difference
    • The power

  2. How is the total potential difference of a power supply shared in a series circuit?

    • Equal across each component
    • Doubled at each component
    • Shared between components
    • Zero across components

  3. In a parallel circuit, what is the same across each component?

    • The energy stored
    • The current
    • The resistance
    • The potential difference

  4. In a parallel circuit, what is the total circuit current equal to?

    • Zero current
    • Product of branches
    • Sum of branches
    • Equal to supply

  5. Which equation gives the total resistance of two resistors in series?

    • R total = R1 + R2
    • R total = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2
    • R total = R1 x R2
    • R total = R1 - R2

  6. Two resistors of 4 ohms and 6 ohms are in series. What is the total resistance?

    • 2.4 ohms
    • 6 ohms
    • 24 ohms
    • 10 ohms

  7. What happens to the total resistance when adding a resistor in series?

    • Decreases
    • Increases
    • Stays the same
    • Becomes zero

  8. What happens to the total resistance when adding a resistor in parallel?

    • Doubles
    • Increases
    • Stays the same
    • Decreases

  9. Two identical 10 ohm resistors are connected in series with a 12 V cell. What is the current?

    • 1.2 A
    • 0.3 A
    • 0.6 A
    • 2.4 A

  10. Three resistors of 2 ohms, 3 ohms and 5 ohms are in series. What is the total resistance?

    • 10 ohms
    • 30 ohms
    • 3 ohms
    • 1.67 ohms

  11. A 9 V cell is connected to resistors 3 ohms and 6 ohms in series. What is the potential difference across the 6 ohm resistor?

    • 9 V
    • 2 V
    • 3 V
    • 6 V

  12. How does the total resistance of two parallel resistors compare to the smallest individual resistor?

    • It is less
    • It is double
    • It is equal
    • It is greater

  13. Which circuit draws a greater total current from the same cell?

    • Single lamp
    • Series lamps
    • Parallel lamps
    • No difference

  14. A 6 V cell drives a current of 0.5 A through a single lamp. What is the lamp resistance?

    • 12 ohms
    • 3 ohms
    • 6.5 ohms
    • 0.08 ohms

  15. In a series circuit with a 12 V supply and two identical lamps, what is the potential difference across each lamp?

    • 12 V
    • 24 V
    • 6 V
    • 3 V

  16. A student builds a series circuit with resistors of 5 ohms and 15 ohms and a supply of 4 V. What is the current?

    • 1.25 A
    • 0.8 A
    • 20 A
    • 0.2 A

  17. Why are series circuits unsuitable for powering all household appliances?

    • Resistance is too low
    • One break stops all
    • Voltage is too high
    • Current splits equally

  18. Replacing two 10 ohm series resistors with one 20 ohm resistor affects current how?

    • It quadruples
    • It doubles
    • It is the same
    • It halves

  19. Which equation describes the current split in a parallel circuit with two branches?

    • I total = I1 + I2
    • I total = I1 x I2
    • I total = I1 / I2
    • I total = I1 - I2

  20. What is the main difference in current paths between series and parallel circuits?

    • Equal paths in both
    • No paths in parallel
    • One path versus multiple
    • Multiple paths versus one

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