Electromotive force and potential difference past paper questions

O Level Physics 5054 · Electrical quantities. 1 Define e.m.f. (electromotive force) as the electrical work done by a source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit; recall and use the equation e.m.f. = work done (by a source) charge E = W Q 2 Define p.d. (potential difference) as the work done by a unit charge passing through a component; recall and use the equation p.d. = work done (on a component) charge V = W Q 3 Know that e.m.f. and p.d. are measured in volts and that the volt is given by joule per coulomb ( J / C) 4 Describe the use of voltmeters (analogue and digital) with different ranges 5 Calculate the total e.m.f. where several sources are arranged in series 6 State that the e.m.f of identical sources connected in parallel is equal to the e.m.f. of one of the sources

In Cambridge O Level Physics 5054, Electromotive force and potential difference came up in 33 of the 72 papers on Paperstreak, for about 2 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Resistance, Circuit diagrams and circuit components, Series and parallel circuits, Physical quantities and measurement techniques.

36 questions, newest first

5054/22/O/N/25 Question 6 parts (c(i)) (c(ii)) (c(iii)) · 5 marks
5054/41/O/N/25 Question 1 parts (a) (b(ii)) · 2 marks
5054/42/O/N/25 Question 1 part (b(ii)) · 1 mark
5054/12/M/J/25 Question 28 · 1 mark
5054/42/M/J/25 Question 2 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
5054/11/O/N/24 Question 32 · 1 mark
5054/11/O/N/24 Question 33 · 1 mark
5054/12/O/N/24 Question 29 · 1 mark
5054/41/O/N/24 Question 2 part (a(i)) · 2 marks
5054/42/O/N/24 Question 2 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) · 2 marks
5054/12/M/J/24 Question 28 · 1 mark
5054/42/M/J/24 Question 1 part (a) · 1 mark
5054/11/O/N/23 Question 27 · 1 mark
5054/41/O/N/23 Question 2 part (a(i)) · 1 mark
5054/42/O/N/23 Question 3 parts (a) (e(ii)) (f) · 4 marks
5054/11/M/J/23 Question 29 · 1 mark
5054/12/M/J/23 Question 28 · 1 mark
5054/41/M/J/23 Question 2 parts (b) (c) · 2 marks
5054/42/M/J/23 Question 2 part (a(i)) · 2 marks
5054/11/O/N/22 Question 28 · 1 mark
5054/22/O/N/22 Question 5 parts (a) (b) · 3 marks
5054/11/M/J/22 Question 32 · 1 mark
5054/11/M/J/22 Question 33 · 1 mark
5054/12/M/J/22 Question 33 · 1 mark
5054/11/O/N/21 Question 29 · 1 mark
5054/12/O/N/21 Question 33 · 1 mark
5054/21/O/N/21 Question 6 parts (a) (b(i)) · 3 marks
5054/41/O/N/21 Question 3 part (a(i)) · 1 mark
5054/42/O/N/21 Question 1 parts (a) (b) · 3 marks
5054/21/M/J/21 Question 7 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) · 3 marks
5054/42/M/J/21 Question 1 part (e) · 1 mark
5054/21/O/N/20 Question 10 parts (c(i)) (d(i)) (d(ii)) · 5 marks
5054/11/M/J/20 Question 36 · 1 mark
5054/22/M/J/20 Question 8 part (c(i)) · 1 mark
5054/22/M/J/20 Question 10 part (a(iii)) · 2 marks
5054/42/M/J/20 Question 3 part (a) · 1 mark

More in Electrical quantities: Electrical charge, Electrical current, Resistance.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.