GCSE Standard Questions: Electric Circuits

Q16. The photo shows some hair straighteners.

Hair straighteners contain heating elements.

(a) When the hair straighteners reach normal operating temperature, an LED turns on. Draw the circuit symbol for an LED in the box below.

[1 mark]

(b) The diagram below shows the circuit diagram for the hair straighteners.

Each resistor represents a heating element.

The power output of the hair straighteners can be changed by closing different switches.

Why do the hair straighteners not turn on when only switch S₂ is closed?

[1 mark]

The energy transferred to the hair straighteners to reach normal operating temperature is 3.6 kJ.

Calculate the time taken for the hair straighteners to reach normal operating temperature when operating at maximum power.

[4 marks]

(d) The following diagram shows the hair straighteners circuit with switch S₁ closed.

Switch S₂ and switch S₃ are then closed at the same time.

Explain what happens to the power output of the power supply.

[3 marks]

(Total 9 marks)