Free worksheet and solutions · AQA GCSE · 8463 / 8464
AQA GCSE Physics Circuit Fault Finding and Meter Readings Worksheet
AQA GCSE circuit fault-finding worksheet with answers. Interpret meter readings, diagnose broken connections and shorts, and justify circuit repairs.
What is covered
Questions and skills covered
The worksheet contains 6 pages of printable questions. A separate 6-page solutions PDF makes it easy to mark, review or share answers after the activity.
- Standard meter symbols and connections
- Resistance from measured voltage and current
- Milliamp conversions
- Parallel voltage and branch-current sums
- Charge flow and time conversions
- Internal open circuit versus external broken lead
- Reduced supply voltage versus higher resistance
- Series contact resistance and voltage sharing
- Voltmeter incorrectly in series
- Ammeter connected across a component
- Predictions after repairs
- Resistance-based replacement selection
About this activity
A model-railway lighting-panel repair uses measured currents and voltages to compare diagnoses, repair connections and check a spare module.
Before you start
After teaching standard circuit symbols, V=IR, Q=It, milliamp/minute conversions and series/parallel circuit rules.
A question from the worksheet
Questions5(a)–5(c), pupil page5
A6.0V panel has X60Ω and Y120Ω in parallel. An ideal voltmeter is wrongly placed in series with X. What does the common ammeter read?
Show the answer
X current is zero. Y carries6.0/120=0.050A, so the common ammeter reads50mA. Voltage acrossX is0V and across the misplaced voltmeter6.0V.
Common error: Predicting zero total current because one branch is blocked, or assuming the voltmeter measures acrossX regardless of its wiring.
Revise the physics
Specification fit
AQA GCSE Physics Worksheets
8463 and 8464 · 4.2.1.1, 4.2.1.2, 4.2.1.3, 4.2.2, 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.2, 6.2.1.3, 6.2.2
- 8463: 4.2.1.1, 4.2.1.2, 4.2.1.3, 4.2.2
- 8464: 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.2, 6.2.1.3, 6.2.2
Choose the correct pathway: Combined Trilogy 8464 and Separate Physics 8463, both tiers. Ideal meters and fixed-resistance models stated. Qualitative short-circuit diagnosis, not live mains testing.
Classroom use
Use the worksheet for class practice, homework, intervention, cover work or revision. Keep the PhysicsUK attribution intact when sharing copies with pupils.