6(a) A technician investigates a light-dependent resistor (LDR) connected in series with a 120 Ω resistor and a voltage source - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 6
6(a) A technician investigates a light-dependent resistor (LDR) connected in series with a 120 Ω resistor and a voltage source.
The technician measures the voltage ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6(a) A technician investigates a light-dependent resistor (LDR) connected in series with a 120 Ω resistor and a voltage source - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which one of these circuits should the technician use?
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Answer
The technician should use circuit B. This configuration allows for accurate measurement of the voltage across the LDR while ensuring that the circuit operates correctly with the given components.
Step 2
Show that the current in the LDR is about 0.039 A.
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Answer
To find the current through the LDR, we use Ohm's law, which states:
I=RV
Substituting the given values:
Resistance of LDR: R=185Ω
Voltage across LDR: V=7.2V
Thus, the current calculation is:
I=1857.2≈0.0389A
This is approximately 0.039 A.
Step 3
Which circuit has the same as?
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The answer is circuit C, as it provides a suitable arrangement for measuring the current in the circuit.
Step 4
Explain how the resistance of the LDR changes.
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Answer
The resistance of the LDR decreases when exposed to light, meaning it has less resistance in bright conditions. Conversely, the resistance is greater in darker conditions, which restricts current flow.