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Year 10 - Science

Linking current, potential difference and resistance

Electric fields and circuit calculations

Unit Summary

This unit covers static electricity, electric fields, and current flow in series and parallel circuits. It explains current, resistance, and potential difference relationships and explores diodes, thermistors, and LDRs. The focus is on calculations, experiments, and accurate measurements.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the relationships between current, potential difference and resistance.

Key Notes

  • The current in a series circuit is the same everywhere.
  • The p.d. across each component in a series electric circuit adds up to the p.d. of the battery.
  • The greater the resistance in a series circuit, the lower the current (current is inversely proportional to resistance).
  • The greater the battery p.d. in series circuit, the larger the current (current is directly proportional to p.d.).
  • Current, p.d. or resistance can be calculated with the equation: current = p.d./resistance.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • series circuit: a circuit where there is only one loop
  • potential difference (p.d.): the voltage or a measure of the 'push' on electrons in a circuit
  • resistance: a measure of how difficult it is for current to flow in a circuit
  • electrical current: a measure of the amount of charge passing a given point in one second
  • ohms (Ω): the unit of resistance

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils often use physics equations without understanding, leading to errors.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

The current in a series circuit is the same everywhere. The p.d. across each component in a series electric circuit adds up to the p.d. of the battery.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'series circuit'

a circuit where there is only one loop. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils often use physics equations without understanding, leading to errors. Correction: Develop a qualitative understanding of potential difference, current and resistance before combining them mathematically. Use the equation as a shorthand for an already understood relationship between them.

More Lessons In This Unit

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