The Physics Question Bank

Ramped Questions for GCSE Physics

GCSE Electricity

Ramped Questions using I =Q/t

These questions become progressively more challenging. Read each question carefully and decide whether you need to calculate current, charge or time. Remember to convert minutes into seconds where necessary.

GCSE Physics I=Q_t Ramped Calculation QuestionsDownload

Answers to I=Q/t questions

  1. I = Q ÷ t = 20 ÷ 10 = 2 A
  2. I = Q ÷ t = 180 ÷ 60 = 3 A
  3. Q = I × t = 0.4 × 50 = 20 C
  4. t = Q ÷ I = 150 ÷ 0.5 = 300 s
  5. 2 min = 120 s, Q = I × t = 0.8 × 120 = 96 C
  6. 1 hour = 3600 s, I = Q ÷ t = 7200 ÷ 3600 = 2 A
  7. 15 min = 900 s, I = Q ÷ t = 900 ÷ 900 = 1 A
  8. t = Q ÷ I = 54000 ÷ 5 = 10800 s
  9. 25 min = 1500 s, Q = I × t = 8 × 1500 = 12000 C
  10. a) 2 hours = 7200 s, I = Q ÷ t = 1080000 ÷ 7200 = 150 A
    b) doubled current = 300 A, t = Q ÷ I = 1080000 ÷ 300 = 3600 s

V=IR Ramped Calculation Questions

These questions become progressively more challenging. Read each question carefully and decide whether you need to calculate voltage, current or resistance. Remember to rearrange the equation when necessary.

GCSE Physics V=IR CalculationsDownload

Answers to V=IR Questions

  1. V = I × R = 2 × 4 = 8 V
  2. R = V ÷ I = 6 ÷ 0.5 = 12 Ω
  3. R = V ÷ I = 12 ÷ 2 = 6 Ω
  4. I = V ÷ R = 240 ÷ 40 = 6 A
  5. I = V ÷ R = 12 ÷ 24 = 0.5 A
  6. R = V ÷ I = 9 ÷ 3 = 3 Ω
  7. V = I × R = 1.5 × 8 = 12 V
  8. I = V ÷ R = 240 ÷ 30 = 8 A
  9. R = V ÷ I = 18 ÷ 0.75 = 24 Ω
  10. a) V = I × R = 12 × 2.5 = 30 V
    b) V = I × R = 16 × 2.5 = 40 V

Electrical Power P=IV Ramped Calculation Questions

These questions increase in difficulty and are based on real-life electrical devices. Use the equation Power (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (A).

GCSE Physics Ramped Power Calculations Using P = IVDownload

Answers to P=IV Questions

  1. P = V × I = 5 × 2 = 10 W
  2. P = V × I = 12 × 0.5 = 6 W
  3. P = V × I = 20 × 3 = 60 W
  4. P = V × I = 230 × 0.4 = 92 W
  5. P = V × I = 230 × 5 = 1150 W
  6. P = V × I = 230 × 10 = 2300 W
  7. I = P ÷ V = 1840 ÷ 230 = 8 A
  8. V = P ÷ I = 1840 ÷ 8 = 230 V
  9. I = P ÷ V = 9200 ÷ 230 = 40 A
  10. P = V × I = 400 × 150 = 60000 W = 60 kW

Power and Heating Calculation Questions Using P = I²R

These questions are based on real electrical devices where resistance causes heating. Show all working and give units in your answers.

GCSE Physics_ Power and Heating Using P = I²RDownload

Answers to Power and Heating Questions

  1. P = I²R = 1.5² × 4 = 2.25 × 4 = 9 W
  2. P = I²R = 2² × 12 = 4 × 12 = 48 W
  3. P = I²R = 6² × 8 = 36 × 8 = 288 W
  4. P = I²R = 8² × 15 = 64 × 15 = 960 W
  5. P = I²R = 10² × 20 = 100 × 20 = 2000 W
  6. I² = P ÷ R = 4840 ÷ 30.25 = 160, I = √160 = 12.6 A
  7. R = P ÷ I² = 1250 ÷ 5² = 1250 ÷ 25 = 50 Ω
  8. I² = P ÷ R = 3600 ÷ 25 = 144, I = √144 = 12 A
  9. P = I²R = 12² × 18 = 144 × 18 = 2592 W
    If current doubles to 24 A: P = 24² × 18 = 576 × 18 = 10368 W
  10. R = P ÷ I² = 28800 ÷ 40² = 28800 ÷ 1600 = 18 Ω
    Large currents cause significant heating because power is proportional to the square of the current (P = I²R), so increasing current greatly increases the energy transferred as heat.


GCSE Physics: Two-Step Calculations Using V = IR and P = IV

In these questions you will need to use two equations to find the final answer. First calculate the voltage across the device using V = IR, then use your voltage value in P = IV to calculate the power transferred. The questions become more challenging as you progress and are based on real-life electrical devices found in homes, schools and industry.

GCSE Physics_ Two-Step Calculations Using V = IR and P = IVDownload

Answers to V=IR and P=IV (2 step calculation Questions)

  1. V = IR = 0.5 × 4 = 2 V, P = IV = 0.5 × 2 = 1 W
  2. V = IR = 0.3 × 10 = 3 V, P = IV = 0.3 × 3 = 0.9 W
  3. V = IR = 1.2 × 5 = 6 V, P = IV = 1.2 × 6 = 7.2 W
  4. V = IR = 1.5 × 8 = 12 V, P = IV = 1.5 × 12 = 18 W
  5. V = IR = 2 × 12 = 24 V, P = IV = 2 × 24 = 48 W
  6. V = IR = 2.5 × 15 = 37.5 V, P = IV = 2.5 × 37.5 = 93.75 W
  7. V = IR = 3 × 20 = 60 V, P = IV = 3 × 60 = 180 W
  8. V = IR = 4 × 25 = 100 V, P = IV = 4 × 100 = 400 W
  9. V = IR = 6 × 18 = 108 V, P = IV = 6 × 108 = 648 W
  10. V = IR = 5 × 40 = 200 V, P = IV = 5 × 200 = 1000 W
  11. V = IR = 10 × 23 = 230 V, P = IV = 10 × 230 = 2300 W
  12. V = IR = 10 × 23 = 230 V, P = IV = 10 × 230 = 2300 W = 2.3 kW
  13. V = IR = 8 × 30 = 240 V, P = IV = 8 × 240 = 1920 W = 1.92 kW
  14. V = IR = 40 × 5.75 = 230 V, P = IV = 40 × 230 = 9200 W = 9.2 kW
  15. V = IR = 15 × 12 = 180 V, P = IV = 15 × 180 = 2700 W = 2.7 kW
  16. V = IR = 30 × 8 = 240 V, P = IV = 30 × 240 = 7200 W = 7.2 kW
  17. V = IR = 100 × 2 = 200 V, P = IV = 100 × 200 = 20000 W = 20 kW; thick cables are needed because large currents cause more heating.

GCSE Physics Energy Transfers Using E = Pt Ramped Questions 

These questions are designed to build your GCSE Physics calculation skills step by step. You will need to use the equation E = Pt, convert between different units of time, rearrange the equation, and sometimes combine information from more than one appliance. Remember that energy is measured in Joules (J), power in Watts (W), and time in seconds (s). Convert all times into seconds before calculating.

GCSE Physics Energy Transfers Using E = Pt Ramped QuestionsDownload

Answers to E=Pt Questions

  1. E = Pt = 4 × 30 = 120 J
  2. 4 min = 240 s, E = Pt = 10 × 240 = 2400 J
  3. 20 min = 1200 s, E = Pt = 18 × 1200 = 21600 J
  4. 45 min = 2700 s, E = Pt = 65 × 2700 = 175500 J
  5. E = Pt = 700 × 150 = 105000 J
  6. 4 min = 240 s, E = Pt = 1200 × 240 = 288000 J = 288 kJ
  7. 3 min = 180 s, E = Pt = 2000 × 180 = 360000 J = 360 kJ
  8. 3 h = 10800 s, P = E ÷ t = 540000 ÷ 10800 = 50 W
  9. 1 h = 3600 s, P = E ÷ t = 432000 ÷ 3600 = 120 W
  10. 25 min = 1500 s, E = Pt = 1600 × 1500 = 2400000 J = 2.4 MJ
  11. t = E ÷ P = 4860000 ÷ 1800 = 2700 s = 45 min
  12. t = E ÷ P = 2160000 ÷ 3000 = 720 s = 12 min
  13. 2.5 h = 9000 s, E = Pt = 2500 × 9000 = 22500000 J = 22.5 MJ
  14. 4 h = 14400 s, P = E ÷ t = 7200000 ÷ 14400 = 500 W
  15. 90 min = 5400 s, E = Pt = 8000 × 5400 = 43200000 J = 43.2 MJ
  16. 40 min = 2400 s, P = E ÷ t = 36000000 ÷ 2400 = 15000 W = 15 kW
  17. Kettle: E = 2000 × 300 = 600000 J
    Air fryer: E = 1500 × 1500 = 2250000 J
    Television: E = 100 × 14400 = 1440000 J
    Total E = 600000 + 2250000 + 1440000 = 4290000 J = 4.29 MJ

GCSE Physics: Challenge Calculations Using P = IV and E = Pt (2 Step Calculations) 

These questions require you to combine the equations P = IV and E = Pt. You will need to decide which equation to use first and may need to rearrange equations, convert units and compare different electrical appliances. The questions become progressively more demanding and are designed to develop Higher Tier GCSE problem-solving skills.

GCSE Physics_ Challenge Calculations Using P = IV and E = Pt (2 Step Calculations)Download

Answers to P = IV and E = Pt (2 Step Calculations) 

  1. P = IV = 5 × 2 = 10 W, E = Pt = 10 × 2700 = 27000 J
  2. P = IV = 6 × 0.8 = 4.8 W, E = Pt = 4.8 × 5400 = 25920 J
  3. P = IV = 20 × 3 = 60 W, E = Pt = 60 × 3600 = 216000 J = 216 kJ
  4. P = IV = 230 × 0.35 = 80.5 W, E = Pt = 80.5 × 18000 = 1449000 J = 1.449 MJ
  5. P = IV = 230 × 5 = 1150 W, E = Pt = 1150 × 150 = 172500 J
  6. P = IV = 230 × 10 = 2300 W, t = E ÷ P = 690000 ÷ 2300 = 300 s
  7. P = IV = 230 × 8 = 1840 W, t = E ÷ P = 883200 ÷ 1840 = 480 s
  8. a) P = IV = 230 × 7 = 1610 W
    b) 18 min = 1080 s, E = Pt = 1610 × 1080 = 1738800 J = 1.7388 MJ
  9. 75 min = 4500 s, P = E ÷ t = 4347000 ÷ 4500 = 966 W, I = P ÷ V = 966 ÷ 230 = 4.2 A
  10. 7.5 min = 450 s, P = E ÷ t = 4140000 ÷ 450 = 9200 W, I = P ÷ V = 9200 ÷ 230 = 40 A
  11. a) P = IV = 13 × 230 = 2990 W
    b) 40 min = 2400 s, E = Pt = 2990 × 2400 = 7176000 J = 7.176 MJ
  12. 6 h = 21600 s, P = E ÷ t = 10350000 ÷ 21600 = 479.2 W, I = P ÷ V = 479.2 ÷ 230 = 2.08 A
  13. a) P = IV = 32 × 400 = 12800 W
    b) 2 h = 7200 s, E = Pt = 12800 × 7200 = 92160000 J = 92.16 MJ
  14. 45 min = 2700 s, P = E ÷ t = 108000000 ÷ 2700 = 40000 W, I = P ÷ V = 40000 ÷ 400 = 100 A
  15. Kettle A: P = 230 × 8 = 1840 W, E = 1840 × 300 = 552000 J
    Kettle B: P = 230 × 12 = 2760 W, E = 2760 × 180 = 496800 J
    Kettle A transfers more energy.
  16. Kettle: E = 2300 × 240 = 552000 J
    Air fryer: E = 1610 × 1200 = 1932000 J
    Television: E = 92 × 18000 = 1656000 J
    Microwave: E = 1150 × 480 = 552000 J
    Total = 4692000 J = 4.692 MJ
  17. a) Lamp: P = 12 × 1.5 = 18 W, E = 18 × 36000 = 648000 J
    Fridge: P = 12 × 4 = 48 W, E = 48 × 21600 = 1036800 J
    Phone charger: P = 12 × 1 = 12 W, E = 12 × 14400 = 172800 J
    b) Total = 1857600 J = 1.8576 MJ
    c) Remaining = 6.0 – 1.8576 = 4.1424 MJ
    d) Yes, another identical day would need 1.8576 MJ, and 4.1424 MJ remains.

10 Ramped Calculation Questions using E = VQ

These questions are designed to help you practise using the equation E = VQ. The questions become progressively more difficult and may require you to rearrange the equation and convert units before calculating your answer.

10 Ramped Calculation Questions using E = VQDownload

Answers to E=VQ Questions

  1. E = VQ = 1.5 × 40 = 60 J
  2. V = E ÷ Q = 180 ÷ 60 = 3 V
  3. E = VQ = 6.0 × 150 = 900 J
  4. 1.2 kJ = 1200 J, V = E ÷ Q = 1200 ÷ 300 = 4 V
  5. 4.0 kJ = 4000 J, Q = E ÷ V = 4000 ÷ 20 = 200 C
  6. 36 kJ = 36000 J, V = E ÷ Q = 36000 ÷ 750 = 48 V
  7. 72 kJ = 72000 J, Q = E ÷ V = 72000 ÷ 24 = 3000 C
  8. 500 mJ = 0.5 J, 25 mC = 0.025 C, V = E ÷ Q = 0.5 ÷ 0.025 = 20 V
  9. 2.4 MJ = 2400000 J, Q = E ÷ V = 2400000 ÷ 400 = 6000 C
  10. 3.6 MJ = 3600000 J, V = E ÷ Q = 3600000 ÷ 6000 = 600 V


Multi-Step Questions using the equations P = IV and E = VQ

These questions require you to use more than one equation to find the final answer. The questions become progressively more difficult and may involve rearranging equations and converting units before calculating your answer.

Multi-Step Questions using the equations P = IV and E = VQDownload

Answers to Multi-Step Questions using the equations P = IV and E = VQ

  1. a) P = IV = 3.0 × 0.20 = 0.6 W
    b) E = Pt = 0.6 × 50 = 30 J
  2. a) P = IV = 6.0 × 0.50 = 3 W
    b) 2 min = 120 s, E = Pt = 3 × 120 = 360 J
  3. a) P = IV = 5.0 × 2.0 = 10 W
    b) 5 min = 300 s, Q = It = 2.0 × 300 = 600 C
    c) E = VQ = 5.0 × 600 = 3000 J
  4. a) P = IV = 20 × 3.0 = 60 W
    b) 10 min = 600 s, Q = It = 3.0 × 600 = 1800 C
    c) E = VQ = 20 × 1800 = 36000 J
  5. a) P = IV = 12 × 1.5 = 18 W
    b) 15 min = 900 s, Q = It = 1.5 × 900 = 1350 C
    c) E = VQ = 12 × 1350 = 16200 J
  6. a) P = IV = 230 × 10 = 2300 W
    b) 3 min = 180 s, Q = It = 10 × 180 = 1800 C
    c) E = VQ = 230 × 1800 = 414000 J
  7. a) P = IV = 48 × 15 = 720 W
    b) 5 min = 300 s, Q = It = 15 × 300 = 4500 C
    c) E = VQ = 48 × 4500 = 216000 J = 216 kJ
  8. a) P = IV = 400 × 50 = 20000 W
    b) 20 min = 1200 s, Q = It = 50 × 1200 = 60000 C
    c) E = VQ = 400 × 60000 = 24000000 J = 24 MJ
  9. a) P = IV = 600 × 80 = 48000 W
    b) 30 min = 1800 s, Q = It = 80 × 1800 = 144000 C
    c) E = VQ = 600 × 144000 = 86400000 J = 86.4 MJ
  10. a) P = IV = 750 × 200 = 150000 W
    b) 4 min = 240 s, Q = It = 200 × 240 = 48000 C
    c) E = VQ = 750 × 48000 = 36000000 J = 36 MJ
    d) They match because P = IV and Q = It, so E = VQ is the same as E = Pt.