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The unit of current is Amperes.

Electricity - Electrical Circuits 01

Build confidence with GCSE electric circuits by exploring components, circuit diagrams, energy transfers and how series and parallel circuits behave in real exam style questions.

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Fascinating Fact:

Components such as resistors, lamps, and motors are energy transfer devices, changing electrical energy into heat, light, or kinetic energy.

In GCSE Physics, electric circuits show how current, potential difference and resistance link together. You learn to choose suitable components, interpret circuit diagrams, and apply equations to real problem solving in exams.

Key Terms

Electrical circuit: A closed loop that allows electric current to flow from the power supply, through components, and back again.
Component: A part placed in a circuit, such as a lamp, resistor, switch or motor, that has a particular function.
Energy transfer: The movement of energy from one store to another, for example from chemical energy in a cell to light and heat in a lamp.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an electrical circuit in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, an electrical circuit is a complete conducting path that allows charge to flow. It must contain a power supply and connecting wires, and can include components such as lamps or resistors.

How do I read and draw circuit diagrams for GCSE?

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

Why are components important in an electrical circuit?

Components control and use the electrical energy in a circuit. They can switch current on or off, limit the current, or transfer energy into light, heat or movement for useful applications.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What does the size of the electric current depend on?

The rate of flow of electric charge

The rate of flow of protons

The rate of flow of neutrons

All of the above

High currents = bigger flow rates

2 .

What is the formula for potential difference?

V = ^W⁄_Q

V = ^W⁄_2Q

V = ^3W⁄_2Q

V = ^5W⁄_3Q

V is in volts when W is in joules and Q is in coulombs

3 .

Which formula calculates the size of the current?

I = Q x t

I = ^Q⁄_t

I = ^t⁄_Q

Q = ^I⁄_t

If you didn't remember the equation, you can work it out. Whenever you need to calculate the rate of something in physics, it is expressed as something per second. To get the 'per second' bit, you know that you need to divide by time. That eliminates two of the alternative answers so the one that works out the current must be the correct one

4 .

What can be calculated from current-potential difference graphs?

Resistivity

Magnetism

Resistance

None of the above

The gradient gives the resistance

5 .

What is electrical current?

Flow of electric charge

Flow of protons

Flow of neutrons

Flow of water

Current is the flow of electric charge around a circuit. The charge is carried by electrons which are emitted by the negative electrode of the cell and travel to the positive electrode of the cell through the circuit

6 .

What is the work done in a circuit if the voltage is 10 V, the current is 4 A and the circuit is on for 25 seconds?

200J

500J

800J

1000J

You need to rearrange the equation V = ^W?_Q and work out the charge. Remember that one coulomb is one amp flowing for one second so if you have four amps flowing for 25 seconds, how many coulombs is that?

7 .

What is the size of the current in a circuit if the charge, Q, is 100 C and lasts for 25 seconds?

Remember the definition - current is a measure of how much charge flows past a given point in one second. This should help you to get the right answer even if you can't recall the equation

8 .

What is the unit of current?

Volts

Ohms

Amperes

Joules

Amperes or Amps for short is the unit of current. It is usually denoted with an A after a value of current

9 .

What is potential difference?

Work done per coulomb of charge that passes between two points

Kinetic energy per coulomb of charge that passes between two points

Work done per coulomb of charge that passes between three points

Work done per ampere of current that passes between two points

Strictly speaking, it should really be called electrical potential difference but at GCSE, potential difference is acceptable, when used in the correct context

10 .

What is the unit of charge?

Volts

Ohms

Coulombs

Amperes

The coulomb is the unit of charge. It is denoted by a C after a value of charge and is named for the French scientist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb who carried out a lot of pioneering work on electrical charge and magnetism

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

Author: Martin Moore