Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Answers to EOC questions

Chapter 25
1 Exchange T and the 10k resistor.
10 k

+9 V

[1]

15 k

9 V

15 k

0V

When R1 is zero, all of the output voltage is

fed back to the negative input (). As long
as the op-amp is not saturated, the (+) and
() terminals are at the same potential and
the gain is 1.0. If R1 is any bigger, a smaller
fraction of the output voltage is fed back.
Since this smaller fraction is the input
voltage, then the output voltage must be
larger in value than the input.
[1]
6 Voltage / V

+9 V

output

0.8

15 k

+
10 k

15 k

0.2

9 V

input

0 V[3]

3 a
The process in which a part of the output of a
device is passed back to the input.
[1]
b Unless an op-amp is saturated, the p.d.
between the two input terminals of an
op-amp is almost zero. Since one of the
terminals, usually the (+) terminal, is
connected to 0V (earth), the other terminal
() is almost at earth potential.
[2]
R

4 a
Gain = R f [1]
in
= 200
10 = 20

output voltage
[1]
gain
[1]
= 8.0
20 = 0.40V

c Maximum input voltage for the op-amp to

still have the gain calculated in a is equal to
Vs
12
20 = 20 = 0.60V

[1]

5 a
The feedback resistor Rf is half the resistance
of the input resistor Rin. This then means the
output voltage is half of the input voltage and
of opposite sign.
[2]
b The gain of a non-inverting amplifier
R

= 1+ R1 . The smallest value of R1 is zero,

2

[3]
7 Non-inverting amplifier

[1]

of gain (9+1)
1 = 10

[2]

8 a
Power supply, resistor and LDR in series [1]
Output marked across the series resistor [1]

[1]

b Input voltage =

Time / s

sothe smallest value of the gain is 1.

[1]

LDR
V0
R

output voltage

b As light intensity increases, the resistance of

the LDR decreases.
[1]
The p.d. across the series resistor R is given
V0R

by: output voltage = (R+resistance of LDR)

As the resistance of the LDR decreases, the
output voltage increases.
[1]
c The whole circuit is the sensor (the LDR is
the sensing device) and the voltmeter is the
output device.
[1]
The processor is the potential divider (two
resistors and voltage supply).
[1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014

Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to end-of-chapter questions

9 a
The wire becomes longer (and thinner). [1]
L
Resistance R = A where is the resistivity,
L is the length and A is the cross-sectional
area.[1]
11

If all quantities apart from L are constant,
then, if the length increases to L+L,
(L+L)
R+R = A
Subtracting gives
L
[1]
R = A so R is proportional to L
R

1
b Voltmeter reading = V0 (R +R
= 5 150
450 [1]
)
1

= 1.67 1.7V
[1]
c The voltmeter reading increases.
[1]
The resistance of the strain gauge is a larger
fraction of the total resistance, and thus
there is a larger fraction of the supply voltage
across the strain gauge.
[1]
10

a i Microphone connected to (+) input and 0V.
[1] 12

Resistors connected to op-amp making a
non-inverting amplifier.
[1]
+15 V

R1
15 V

R2

ii LED connected to output and zero volt

(earth) line
[1]
Series resistor included
[1]
b Any two from: less distortion, increased
bandwidth, more stable gain, reduced gain
(from very large value to a sensible value) [2]
15 [1]
c i Maximum gain = 0.020
= 750
[1]
R1
[1]
ii 1+ R = 750
2
Any value where R1 = 749R2
(e.g. R2 = 1k and R2 = 749k)
with 300W R1+R2 < 10MW
[1]
d As the potential at the (+) terminal of the
op-amp changes / rises, the output voltage
changes / increases.
Some (1/750th) of the increased output
voltage is fed back to the ()terminal of the
op-amp.[1]

Output rises until the potential at the (+) and

() terminals of the op-amp are (very nearly)
equal.[1]

a i +9V
[1]
ii 9V
[1]
9300
b VA = 500 
[1]
= 5.4V
[1]
c i Potential at A is greater than at B or
potential at B is 3.4V so Vout is +9V.
[1]
ii Potential at B is greater than at A and Vout is
9V or motor runs in reverse.
[1]
d The difference in level of light will fluctuate.
Sometimes P will have more light than
Q and, since the op-amp has such a high
gain, its output will switch from +9V to 9V
as the relative amount of light on P and Q
fluctuates.[1]

a (Unless the op-amp is saturated) the p.d.
between the two input terminals of an
opamp is almost nothing.
[1]
Since the (+) terminal of the op-amp is
connected to 0V (earth), the other terminal
() is almost at earth potential and called a
virtual earth.
[1]
The input resistance (or impedance) of the
op-amp is very large or negligible current
enters the input terminals of the op-amp. [1]
current in R1 = current in R2[1]
Vout
V
= Rin so
R1
2
Vout
R1
gain = V = R 
in
2
b i Gain = 20
=
5
4

[1]
[1]
[1]

Vout = 50.5 = 2.5V

ii Total resistance of two parallel resistors
= 2k[1]
Gain becomes 20
2 = 10 so Vout = 5.0V[1]

13 a
switching
circuit

[2]
b Increase the resistance in the potential
divider circuit.
[1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014

Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to end-of-chapter questions

14 a Light-dependent resistor (LDR).

[1]
When the light level increases the resistance
of the LDR decreases
[1]
The current through the variable resistor
increases, so the potential difference across it
increases and the potential difference across
the LDR falls
[1]
or When the light level decreases the
resistance of the LDR increases
[1]
The current through the variable resistor
decreases, so the potential difference across
it decreases and the potential difference
across the LDR rises.
[1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014