KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Electricity - Currents in Electrical Circuits? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Electricity - Currents in Electrical Circuits today?

now

Fluorescent bulbs create a large potential difference between two electric plates.

Electricity - Currents in Electrical Circuits

Explore how electric current flows in series and parallel circuits, how components affect current, and how circuit diagrams help you understand and solve GCSE Physics questions.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Insulators, such as plastic and rubber, do not allow significant current because their electrons are not free to move.

In GCSE Physics, you study how current behaves in different parts of a circuit. You learn to interpret circuit symbols, compare series and parallel circuits, and use equations such as V = I × R to link potential difference, current and resistance in exam-style questions.

Key Terms

Electric current: The rate of flow of electric charge around a circuit, measured in amperes (A).
Series circuit: A circuit where components are connected one after another, so the same current flows through each component.
Parallel circuit: A circuit with branches, so current can split and flow along different paths before joining again.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an electric current in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, electric current is defined as the rate of flow of charge. It is measured in amperes (A) using an ammeter placed in series with the component being measured.

How is current shared in series and parallel circuits?

In a series circuit, the same current flows through every component. In a parallel circuit, the total current from the supply splits between branches and then recombines at junctions.

How do I draw circuit diagrams for GCSE Physics?

Use standard circuit symbols, such as cells, lamps, resistors and switches. Draw straight lines for wires, keep diagrams neat, and show ammeters in series and voltmeters in parallel.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

If the voltage in a circuit is increased whilst the resistance remains constant, what will happen to the current in the circuit?

Current decreases

Current increases

Current remains the same

Values for the voltage and resistance are required to answer this

Current and voltage are directly proportional

2 .

What is the total resistance in a circuit if the potential difference is 12 V and the current flowing through the circuit is 3 A?

2 Ω

3 Ω

4 Ω

5 Ω

V = I multiplied by R so rearranging the equation gives R = V divided by I

3 .

What is the current through a circuit which contains three resistors of size 3 Ω, 5 Ω and 7 Ω respectively which are placed in series when a potential difference of 12 V is applied?

0.8 A

1 A

2 A

10 A

V = I multiplied by R so rearranging the equation gives I = V divided by R. The resistors are in series so the total resistance to use in the equation is the sum of the three individual resistors

4 .

Why does a 60 W equivalent fluorescent bulb use less energy than a 60 W filament bulb?

The electrons flow through the fluorescent bulb at a smaller voltage which reduces the energy used

The electrons flow through the fluorescent bulb with a smaller current, thus reducing the energy used

The fluorescent bulb has a smaller resistance than the filament bulb

They use the same amount of energy

Fluorescent bulbs create a large potential difference between two electric plates. The space between the plates is filled with an inert gas and when an electron gains enough energy to travel from one plate to the other, it can collide with the gas in the bulb. This creates an 'avalanche effect' where electrons are knocked out from the outer electron shells of the inert gas. The electrons are then absorbed by another atom and this process emits a photon of light. When the photons of light strike the coating on the inside of the bulb, the coating fluoresces, giving out light

5 .

Calculate the current in a circuit when the voltage of the circuit is 5 V and the circuit has a total resistance of 5 Ω.

1 A

2 A

10 A

25 A

V = I multiplied by R so rearranging the equation gives I = V divided by R

6 .

What is the definition of current?

Flow of atoms through a circuit

Flow of electrons through a circuit

The amount of resistance an electron experiences when travelling through a circuit

The energy which each electron has when flowing through a circuit

Metals are the best conductors of electricity because of metallic bonding

7 .

Two 2 Ω resistors are placed in parallel in a circuit. If the potential difference supplied to the circuit is 10 V, what size is the current which passes through each resistor?

5 A

10 A

20 A

40 A

Since the resistance is the same in the two parts of the parallel circuit, the current splits evenly. You can prove this to yourself by calculating from V = I R

8 .

If the voltage in a circuit remains constant but the resistance is increased, what will happen to the current?

Current decreases

Current increases

Current remains the same

Values for the voltage and resistance are required to answer this

The current and resistance are inversely proportional

9 .

If two components are connected in series, how is the potential difference across each split?

It is dependent on which components are used.

It is dependent on the resistance of the components used.

One component gets twice as much voltage as the other.

They are the same.

Current, potential difference and resistance are closely linked. Each one depends on the value of the others

10 .

Two circuits are set up and both circuits contain two bulbs. One circuit is set up so that the bulbs are connected in series, whilst the other is set up so that the bulbs are connected in parallel. In which circuit will the bulbs be brightest if both circuits have the same resistance and the same voltage applied?

Circuit in parallel

Circuit in series

They will both have the same brightness

It is impossible to tell

Placing components in parallel reduces the resistance which each electron has to travel through to get to the positive anode of the cell, resulting in a larger current through each component

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Electric circuits

Author: Martin Moore