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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physics & Chemistry

Leaving Cert Physics & Chemistry: Current & resistance

How often Current & resistance comes up on the Physics & Chemistry papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Current & resistance, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Current & resistance.

(a)Ohm's law applies to a metal conductor provided that…
  1. The current is alternating
  2. Its temperature stays constant
  3. The voltage is below 1 V
(b)Resistors of 6 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in parallel. Total resistance?
  1. 4.5 Ω
  2. 9 Ω
  3. 2 Ω
(c)A 12 V battery drives current through 2 Ω and 4 Ω resistors in series. Current?
  1. 2 A
  2. 0.5 A
  3. 9 A
Show the answers

(a) Its temperature stays constant

(b) 2 Ω

(c) 2 A

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Current & resistance.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1(l), Q5
2024Q1(m), Q5
2023Q1(n), Q5
2022Q5
2021Q6(b)
2019Q1(k), Q5
2018Q5, Q6(b)
2017Q1(j), Q5
2016Q5

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Current & resistance questions

Current & resistance, 2 marks

How is an ammeter connected in a circuit?

  1. In parallel with the component
  2. Across the power supply
  3. In series
Show the answer

In series

An ammeter measures the current flowing through a component, so the same current must pass through it: it goes in series. A voltmeter goes in parallel.

Current & resistance, 2 marks

A wire is replaced by one of the same material and thickness but twice as long. Its resistance…

  1. Is four times bigger
  2. Doubles
  3. Halves
Show the answer

Doubles

Resistance is proportional to length: electrons have twice as far to travel through the metal, so R doubles.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q1(l), Q5
2023Q5
2022Q1(k), Q5
2021Q5
2019Q5
2018Q5
2017Q5
2016Q1(m), Q5

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Current & resistance questions

Current & resistance, 3 marks

A current of 2 A flows for 30 s. Charge that passes?

  1. 15 C
  2. 32 C
  3. 60 C
Show the answer

60 C

Q = It = 2 × 30 = 60 C. Current is the rate of flow of charge, measured in amperes.

Current & resistance, 2 marks

Ohm's law holds for a metal conductor provided?

  1. It is made of pure copper
  2. Its temperature stays constant
  3. The current used is a.c.
Show the answer

Its temperature stays constant

Ohm's law: current is proportional to the voltage across a conductor at constant temperature. A V-I graph is then a straight line through the origin.

Current & resistance, 3 marks

Current through a 12 Ω lamp with 6 V across it?

  1. 0.5 A
  2. 2 A
  3. 72 A
Show the answer

0.5 A

V = IR, so I = V ÷ R = 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 A. 2 A is the answer upside down; 72 comes from multiplying.

Other Physics & Chemistry topics

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