JAMB and WAEC Physics questions: Electric cells

21 questions with answers and explanations. Tap an option to check yourself.

1. Question 1· Electric cells· JAMB

   The e.m.f. of a cell is best measured with a

   • Aammeter
   • Bpotentiometer
   • Cohmmeter
   • Dgalvanometer used alone

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   Explanation and discussion

2. Question 2· Electric cells· JAMB

   In a Leclanché dry cell, the positive terminal is the

   • Amanganese(IV) oxide only
   • Bzinc case
   • Cammonium chloride paste
   • Dcarbon rod

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   Explanation and discussion

3. Question 3· Electric cells· WAEC

   A cell of e.m.f. 3 V and internal resistance 1 Ω is connected to a 5 Ω resistor. The current is

   • A0.75 A
   • B0.6 A
   • C3 A
   • D0.5 A

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   Explanation and discussion

4. Question 4· Electric cells· JAMB

   Polarisation in a simple cell is caused by

   • Aimpurities in the zinc
   • Bhydrogen bubbles collecting on the copper plate
   • Cthe acid becoming too strong
   • Dthe cell overheating

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5. Question 5· Electric cells· JAMB

   Three cells, each of e.m.f. 1.5 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω, are connected in series. Find the total e.m.f. and internal resistance.

   • A1.5 V and 0.5 Ω
   • B4.5 V and 1.5 Ω
   • C4.5 V and 0.17 Ω
   • D1.5 V and 1.5 Ω

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6. Question 6· Electric cells· JAMB

   A cell of e.m.f. 3 V and internal resistance 1 Ω drives a current through a 5 Ω resistor. Find the terminal potential difference of the cell.

   • A3 V
   • B2.5 V
   • C0.5 V
   • D2 V

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7. Question 7· Electric cells· WAEC

   The e.m.f. of a cell is best measured when the cell is

   • Aconnected to a lamp
   • Bsupplying a large current
   • Cshort-circuited
   • Dsupplying no current

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8. Question 8· Electric cells· JAMB

   An advantage of the lead-acid accumulator over a dry cell is that it

   • Anever runs down
   • Bis lighter
   • Ccontains no liquid
   • Dcan be recharged

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9. Question 9· Electric cells· JAMB

   Connecting identical cells in parallel gives

   • Aa larger e.m.f.
   • Bthe same e.m.f. as one cell with a smaller internal resistance
   • Czero e.m.f.
   • Da larger internal resistance

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10. Question 10· Electric cells· JAMB

    Local action in a simple cell is caused by

    • Aimpurities in the zinc plate
    • Bhydrogen bubbles on the copper
    • Ctoo much acid
    • Da short circuit

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    Explanation and discussion

11. Question 11· Electric cells· JAMB

    A lead–acid accumulator is

    • Aa solar cell
    • Ba primary cell
    • Ca dry Leclanché cell
    • Da secondary cell that can be recharged

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12. Question 12· Electric cells· JAMB

    The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a cell is the

    • Acurrent it produces
    • Bforce on electrons
    • Cenergy it supplies to each coulomb of charge passing through
    • Dresistance inside it

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13. Question 13· Electric cells· WAEC

    A battery of e.m.f. 12 V and internal resistance 2 Ω drives current through a 10 Ω lamp. Find the terminal p.d.

    • A10 V
    • B12 V
    • C2 V
    • D1.2 V

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14. Question 14· Electric cells· WAEC

    A cell of e.m.f. 9 V and internal resistance 1 Ω supplies a current of 2 A. The lost volts are

    • A7 V
    • B2 V
    • C9 V
    • D11 V

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15. Question 15· Electric cells· WAEC

    A lead-acid accumulator differs from a dry Leclanché cell in that it

    • Acan be recharged
    • Bcannot be recharged
    • Chas no electrolyte
    • Dgives no current

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16. Question 16· Electric cells· JAMB

    A cell of e.m.f. 3 V and internal resistance 1 Ω is connected to a 5 Ω resistor. Find the current.

    • A3 A
    • B0.6 A
    • C0.5 A
    • D0.75 A

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17. Question 17· Electric cells· WAEC

    A new Leclanché cell is said to have a long shelf life. Which part of a simple voltaic cell, by contrast, is eaten away even when no current is drawn?

    • Athe copper plate
    • Bthe impure zinc plate
    • Cthe dilute acid
    • Dthe connecting wire

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18. Question 18· Electric cells· JAMB

    Two cells, each of e.m.f. 1.5 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω, are connected in series with a 4 Ω resistor. Find the current.

    • A0.33 A
    • B0.75 A
    • C0.6 A
    • D3 A

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19. Question 19· Electric cells· WAEC

    Local action in a simple cell can be reduced by

    • Ausing a stronger acid
    • Brubbing the zinc plate with mercury (amalgamation)
    • Cadding more copper
    • Dheating the cell

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20. Question 20· Electric cells· WAEC

    The positive pole of a Leclanché cell is the

    • Aammonium chloride paste
    • Bzinc case
    • Ccarbon rod
    • Dcopper wire

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    Explanation and discussion