Separate

Physics

Electricity
1

Name ______________________________
Class ______________________________
Teacher ______________________________
Electricity facts Fold page here

1) What is the definition of electrical current? 1) Electric current is the rate of flow of charge.
2) What is the equation that links charge, 2) Q = I × t
current and time?
3) Give the equation that links potential 3) V = I × R
difference, current and resistance.
4) What’s the difference between a series and 4) A series circuit has only one path for the current to
a parallel circuit? flow; a parallel circuit has more than one.
5) What does Ohm’s law say? 5) The current through an ohmic conductor (at a
constant temperature) is directly proportional to the
potential difference across the resistor.
6) What happens to the resistance of a filament 6) As the temperature increases, the resistance of a
lamp as the temperature increases? filament lamp also increases.
7) What happens to the resistance of a 7) The resistance decreases as the temperature
thermistor as it increases in temperature? increases.
8) What happens to the resistance of a LDR as 8) The resistance decreases as the light intensity
the light intensity increases? increases.
9) In what diode can the current flow through a 9) Current can only flow one way through a diode.
diode?
10) Name an application of an LDR/thermistor. 10) In sensing circuits (e.g. lights turning on when
dark/heating turning on when cold).
11) How does resistance add in series? 11) RTOT = R1 + R2
12) What happens to current in series/parallel 12) Current is the same everywhere in a series circuit.
circuits? Current splits in a parallel circuit.
13) What happens to potential difference in 13) Potential difference is the same on different paths of
series/parallel circuits? a parallel circuit; it splits across components in a
series circuit.
14) What happens to the total resistance of two 14) The total resistance of two resistors in parallel is less
resistors in parallel? than the resistance of the smallest resistor.
15) What do we use to measure potential 15) We use a voltmeter in parallel across a component
difference/current. and an ammeter in series.
16) What is the frequency and potential 16) 50 Hz and 230 V.
difference of the mains electricity supply?
17) What is the difference between AC and DC? 17) AC changes direction, DC remains in same direction.
18) What are the colours of the live, neutral and 18) Live – brown. Neutral – blue. Earth – Green and
earth wires? yellow stripes.
19) What do the live, neutral and earth wires 19) Live wire carries the AC, neutral wire completes the
do? circuit, earth wire is a safety wire.
20) What happens to the fuse if the current is 20) The fuse melts, making the circuit incomplete and
too high? stops current from flowing.
21) Give two equations for electrical power. 21) P = I × V P = I2 × R
22) Give two equations for energy transfer. ( 22) E = P × t E=Q×V
23) What is the national grid? 23) A network of cables and transformers linking power
stations to consumers.
24) What does a step-up transformer do? 24) It increases the potential difference, but decreases
the current to reduce heat loss in cables.
25) What does a step-down transformer do? 25) It decreases the potential difference to a safe level
for consumers.
 Drawing circuits
1 We use circuit symbols to show
2different components (parts) of
3an electrical circuit. Circuit
4diagrams are drawn in pencil
5and a ruler used to draw the
6connecting wires.

7For the circuit to work, it needs

8to be complete (not have any
9gaps in it)

10Fill
out the picture opposite
11with the names of the different
12components.

13There are two types of circuit,

14series and parallel.

15 In a series circuit:

16 -There is only one route around the circuit.

17 -The current needs to flow through all of the

18 components.

19

20

21In a parallel circuit:

22-Thereis more than one route

23around the circuit.

24-The current does not need to

25flow through all of the
26components.
Basic:

1. Draw the symbols for:

a) A bulb
b) A cell
c) A battery
d) A voltmeter
e) An ammeter
f) A fuse
g) An LDR
h) A thermistor
i) A resistor
j) A variable resistor
k) An LED
l) A switch
2. Look at each of the circuit
diagrams to the right.
Label each one as either a
series or parallel circuit. If
the circuit is parallel,
write how many different
routes there are around
the circuit.
Medium:

1) Draw a series circuit with two cells, a bulb and an ammeter.

2) Draw a series circuit with a cell an open switch and a motor.

3) Draw a series circuit with a cell, a closed switch, a motor and a bulb.

4) Draw a circuit with two cells, and three bulbs in parallel with the cells.

5) Draw a circuit with one cell, and with a bulb and voltmeter in parallel with
each other.

Parts of a circuit will only work if there is a complete circuit for the current to
flow. If there is a break in the circuit then it’s not complete.

Current also prefers to take the path of least resistance.

Hard:

1) Bulb A is unscrewed. Which

bulbs are on and which bulbs
are off? Explain why.
2) Bulb D is unscrewed. Which
bulbs are on and which bulbs
are off? Explain why.
3) Bulb E is unscrewed. Which
bulbs are on and which bulbs
are off? Explain why.
4) Would bulb 2 be lit when the
switch is open? Explain why.
5) Would bulb 1 be lit when the
switch is open? Explain why.
6) Would bulb 1 be lit when the
switch is closed? Explain why.
Series Circuits

1. Make the circuit below. Which bulbs are on?

____________________________________

A B

3. Now put a wire across each side of bulb B.

Which bulbs are on? Why?
____________________________________
 2. Now put a wire across each side of bulb A.
Which bulbs are on? Why?
____________________________________

4. Make the circuit below. Which bulbs are on?

____________________________________ A B B
A

Parallel Circuits

A
B
6. Now put a wire across each side of bulb B.
Which bulbs are on? Why?
5. Now put a wire across each side of bulb A. ____________________________________
Which bulbs are on? Why?
(a)
____________________________________

(a) Use words from the box to label the

components, A, B, and C, in the
circuit diagram. A A
 
B B
           
cell          diode          lamp           resistor         switch

The drawing shows the circuit used to

investigate how the current through a 5
ohm (Ω) resistor changes as the potential
difference (voltage) across the resistor
changes.
 (b) Draw, in your book, a circuit diagram of this circuit. Use the correct symbols for each part of the
circuit. (3)

(c)     The diagram shows a simple light-sensing

circuit. The graph, supplied by the
manufacturer, shows how the resistance of
the component labelled X varies with light
intensity.

(i)      What is component X?

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)     Use the graph to find the resistance of component X when the light intensity is 20
lux.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Basic:

3. Draw the symbols for:

a) A bulb
b) A cell
c) A battery
d) A voltmeter
e) An ammeter
f) A fuse
g) An LDR
h) A thermistor
 i) A resistor
j) A variable resistor
k) An LED
l) A switch

4. Look at each of the circuit

diagrams to the right. series Parallel-
Label each one as either a 2 routes
series or parallel circuit. If
the circuit is parallel, write
how many different routes
there are around the
circuit.

Parallel-
3 routes series

Parallel-
6
routes

Medium:

6) Draw a series circuit with two cells, a bulb and an ammeter.

 7) Draw a series circuit with a cell an open switch and a motor.

8) Draw a series circuit with a cell, a closed switch, a motor and a bulb.

9) Draw a circuit with two cells, and three bulbs in parallel with the cells.

10) Draw a circuit with one cell, and with a bulb and voltmeter in parallel
with each other.

Parts of a circuit will only work if there is a complete circuit for the current to
flow. If there is a break in the circuit then it’s not complete.

Current also prefers to take the path of least resistance.

Hard:

7) Bulb A is unscrewed. Which

bulbs are on and which bulbs
are off? Explain why.
ON- B, D & E
 OFF- A & C – current cannot flow through the central branch because
there is a break in the circuit where bulb A is.
8) Bulb D is unscrewed. Which bulbs are on and which bulbs are off? Explain
why.
ON- A, C & E
OFF- B & D -current cannot flow through the right-hand branch because
there is a break in the circuit where bulb D is.
9) Bulb E is unscrewed. Which bulbs are on and which bulbs are off? Explain
why.
All bulbs are off- the break in the circuit where bulb E is means that there
are no complete circuits possible
10) Would bulb 2 be lit when
the switch is open? Explain why.
YES- the only path for the current is
through bulb 2
11) Would bulb 1 be lit when
the switch is open? Explain why.
YES- bulb 1 is a part of every
possible complete circuit
12) Would bulb 1 be lit when the switch is closed? Explain why.
YES- bulb 1 is part of every possible complete circuit. Bulb 2 will not be lit
because almost all of the current will flow through the closed switch
instead (the path of least resistance).

Series Circuits

2. Make the circuit below. Which bulbs are on?

____________________________________

both
A B
 4. Now put a wire across each side of bulb B.
Which bulbs are on? Why?
____________________________________
B only- there is
A only- there is
less resistance
less resistance
through the wire
through the wire
than through bulb
than through bulb
A, so the current
B, so the current
does not pass
does not pass
through bulb A
through bulb B
 3. Now put a wire across each side of bulb A.
Which bulbs are on? Why?
____________________________________

5. Make the circuit below. Which bulbs are on? A B B

A
____________________________________

Parallel Circuits

both

A
Neither- the wire creates a
7. circuit
Now put
B
short circuit. A short is a wire across each side of bulb B.
Which bulbs are on? Why?
6. Now put a wire across each side ofa bulb
pathA.of very low resistance,
____________________________________
Which bulbs are on? Why? so all of the current will flow
down this path.
____________________________________

A A

B B
 (c) Use words from the box to label the components, A, B, and C, in switch
cell
the circuit diagram.
 

           
cell          diode          lamp           resistor         switch

diode
The drawing shows the circuit used to
investigate how the current through a 5 ohm (Ω) resistor
changes as the potential difference (voltage) across the
resistor changes.

(d) Draw, in your book, a circuit diagram of this circuit. Use

the correct symbols for each part of the circuit. (3)

(c)
The
 diagram shows a simple light-sensing circuit. The graph, supplied by the manufacturer, shows
how the resistance of the component labelled X varies with light intensity.

(i)      What is component X?

...................light dependent resistor....................................

(1)

(ii)     Use the graph to find the resistance of component X when the light intensity is 20
lux.

.............................25kΩ or 25000Ω.........................................................
(1)

Charge and current

1Charge: Negatively charged electrons are given a force by a battery (or power
2supply) and move throughout a circuit. Charge has units of coulombs. Each
-19 18
3electron carries a charge of -1.6 × 10 C. Therefore there are about 6.25 × 10
4electrons in one coulomb.

5Current: The rate of flow of charge (i.e. how much charge is flowing every
6second). Current has units of Amps and is measured with an ammeter. The
7ammeter measure the number of charges that flow through it in one second.
8They therefore must go in series.

9Charge, current and time are linked by the equation:

10 Q=I×t

11Where I = Current (Amps, A)

12 Q = Charge (Coulombs, C)

13 t = Time (s)

14
1Example question: Calculate the current when 4 C of charge passes a point in 8
2seconds.
3
4Step 1: Write the equation. Rearrange if necessary.
5Q = I × t → Q÷t=I
6Step 2: Write down the variables
7Q = 4 C
8t = 8 s
9Step 3: Calculate the answer
10I = Q ÷ t = 4 ÷ 8 = 0.5 A

Basic: Find the unknown quantity – show your working in your books:
a) I = b) I = c) I = d) I = e) I = f) I =
Q=8C Q = 240 C Q = 400 C Q = 750 C Q = 300 C Q = 50 C
t = 20 s t = 300 s t = 200 s t = 350 s t = 100 s t =2s
g) Re- h) I = 2.5 A i) I = 5 A j) I = 13 A k) I = 10 A l) I = 6 A
arrange the
Q= Q= Q= Q= Q=
equation
for Q t = 300 s t = 200 s t = 350 s t = 100 s t =2s

m) Re- n) I = 4 A o) I = 20 A p) I = 5 A q) I = 6 A r) I = 2.4 A
arrange the
Q = 240 C Q = 400 C Q = 750 C Q = 300 C Q = 50 C
equation
for t t = t = t = t = t =

Medium: Find the unknown quantity (CONVERT FIRST to SECONDS)

a) I = b) I = 0.3 A c) I = 0.9 A
Q = 140 C Q= Q=
t = 4 min = _______ s t = 1.5 hours = _______ s t = 3 min = _________ s
d) I = e) I = 1.5 A f) I = 0.4 A
Q = 200 C Q= Q=
t = 5 min = _______ s t = 2 hours = _______ s t = 7 min = _________ s

Hard: WORD PROBLEMS

 1. How much current must there be in a circuit if 1000 coulombs flow past a point in the
circuit in 4 minutes?
2. A circuit is switched on for half a minute and 90 coulombs of charge flowed. What
was the current flowing through the circuit?
3. If there is a current of 10 mA in a circuit for 0.5 s, what quantity of electric charge
flows in through the circuit?
4. How much time is required for 0.3 coulombs of charge to flow past a point if the rate
of flow (current) is 2 mA?
5. During electrolysis 6A was passed through some copper chloride and a charge of 1.2
kC flowed. How long was the experiment on for?
6. A bed lamp is switched on for 10 minutes. It works on a current of 0.5 A. How much
charge flowed?

Q1.
The plug of an electrical appliance contains a fuse.

(a)  What is the correct circuit symbol for a fuse?

Tick one box.

 

 
(1)

The diagram below shows the structure of a fuse.

(b)  Write down the equation that links charge flow, current and time.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)  The fuse wire melts when 1.52 coulombs of charge flows through the fuse in 0.40
seconds.

Calculate the current at which the fuse wire melts.

 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = _______________________ A
(3)

Basic: Find the unknown quantity – show your working in your books:
a) I = 0.4A b) I = 0.8A c) I = 2A d) I = 2.14A e) I = 3A f) I = 25A
Q=8C Q = 240 C Q = 400 C Q = 750 C Q = 300 C Q = 50 C
t = 20 s t = 300 s t = 200 s t = 350 s t = 100 s t =2s
g) Re- h) I = 2.5 A i) I = 5 A j) I = 13 A k) I = 10 A l) I = 6 A
arrange the
Q = 750C Q = 1000C Q = 4550C Q = 1000C Q = 12C
equation
for Q: Q=It t = 300 s t = 200 s t = 350 s t = 100 s t =2s

m) Re- n) I = 4 A o) I = 20 A p) I = 5 A q) I = 6 A r) I = 2.4 A
arrange the
Q = 240 C Q = 400 C Q = 750 C Q = 300 C Q = 50 C
equation
for t: t=Q/I t = 60s t = 20s t = 150s t = 50s t = 20.8s

Medium: Find the unknown quantity (CONVERT FIRST to SECONDS)

a) I = 0.58A b) I = 0.3 A c) I = 0.9 A
Q = 140 C Q = 1620C Q = 162C
t = 4 min = __240__ s t = 1.5 hours = __5400_ s t = 3 min = __180__ s
d) I = 0.67A e) I = 1.5 A f) I = 0.4 A
Q = 200 C Q = 10800C Q = 168A
t = 5 min = __300__ s t = 2 hours = __7200_ s t = 7 min = __420__ s

Hard: WORD PROBLEMS

 1. How much current must there be in a circuit if 1000 coulombs flow past a point in the
circuit in 4 minutes? I=Q/t=1000/(4x60)=4.17A
2. A circuit is switched on for half a minute and 90 coulombs of charge flowed. What
was the current flowing through the circuit? I=Q/t=90/30=3A
3. If there is a current of 10 mA in a circuit for 0.5 s, what quantity of electric charge
flows in through the circuit? Q=It=0.01x0.5=0.005C
4. How much time is required for 0.3 coulombs of charge to flow past a point if the rate
of flow (current) is 2 mA? t=Q/I=0.3/0.002=150s
5. During electrolysis 6A was passed through some copper chloride and a charge of 1.2
kC flowed. How long was the experiment on for? t=Q/I=1200/6=200s
6. A bed lamp is switched on for 10 minutes. It works on a current of 0.5 A. How much
charge flowed? Q=It=0.5x(10x60)=300C

Q1.
The plug of an electrical appliance contains a fuse.

(a)  What is the correct circuit symbol for a fuse?

Tick one box.

 

 
(1)

The diagram below shows the structure of a fuse.

(b)  Write down the equation that links charge flow, current and time.

_________________Q=Ixt________________________________
(1)

(c)  The fuse wire melts when 1.52 coulombs of charge flows through the fuse in 0.40
seconds.
 Calculate the current at which the fuse wire melts.

__________________I=Q/t_____________________________________________

__________________I=1.52/0.4_________________________________________

__________________I=3.8A____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = _____3.8_____________ A
(3)

Current in series and parallel

1Ina series circuit the current flow through

2one continuous path. This means that the
3current must be the same at all parts in a
4series circuit.

5In the series circuit opposite, the current

6is 5 Amps in all positions.

8However, things are more

9complicated for a parallel circuit.
10Let’s take the circuit to the right.
11Immediately after the battery there is
12a current of 9A.

13The moving electrons that make up

14this current then have a decision on
15where to go. There are overall three
1separate paths. Therefore (if the bulbs are identical) a third of the current goes
2in each path. This means that there is 3 Amps in each path. Current splits in a
3parallel circuit.

4However, current only splits equally if the resistance in each path is equal.

5Current prefers to take the path of least resistance.

6In the diagram above, the path A→B→C has double the resistance of path D.
7This means that it is twice as hard for the current to pass through A→B→C.
8Because of this, path D has twice the current of path A→B→C. If path D had a
9current of 1 Amp flowing, then there would be a current of 0.5A flowing
10through A→B→C.

11Atpoints E or F the currents from the two paths would combine to form an
12overall current of 1.5A. Current is conserved at a junction.

Practical:

Set up each of the circuits shown and record the results in the table provided.

Equipment you will need:

-Battery x2
-Bulb x2
-Ammeter x1
-Connecting wires x5
Conclusion: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Stretch: Unscrew one of the bulbs. What do you notice? Why does this happen?
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Now build the following circuit:

1
2
3

Place an ammeter in positions

1, 2 and 3 and note the currents down below.

Current in position 1: ___________

Current in position 2: ___________

Current in position 3: ___________

Conclusion: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Stretch: Unscrew one of the bulbs. What do you notice? Why does this happen?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Task: Write the currents on the following ammeters

Basic:
 Medium:

?A

4A

?A

2A

Hard:

1. The resistors in the circuit opposite are not of equal resistance. What is
the current on the remaining ammeters? Explain why.

2. What is the current through resistor Y? Explain

why.
1

2
3. The
picture shows an electric cooker hob.
The simplified circuit diagram shows
 how the four heating elements connect to the mains electricity supply.
The heating elements are identical.

At full power the hob draws a current of 26 A. What is the current through
each heating element?

4. The diagram above shows how someone could get an electric shock from
accidentally cutting into an electric cable. If this happens, the fuse can
overheat and melt.
What is the current in the hedge trimmer above? Why?

5. What is the current in the ammeter in the

diagram to the left? Why?

Task: Write the currents on the following

ammeters
Basic:

0.30A
0.15A 0.45A

0.60A 0.15A 0.15A

 Medium:

0.00A 0.3A
?A

0.15A
4A

?A

2A

0.15A 0.00A
0.15A

Hard:

1. The resistors in the circuit opposite are not of equal resistance. What is the current
on the remaining ammeters? Explain why.
Both 6A- current in the parallel branches add together when the branches join.

2. What is the current through resistor Y? Explain why.

1A- the 3A is split between the two branches, the
current through X plus the current through Y must
add up to 3A
1

3. The picture shows an electric cooker hob.

The simplified circuit diagram shows how
the four heating elements connect to the
mains electricity supply. The heating
elements are identical.
 At full power the hob draws a current of 26 A. What is the current through each
heating element? 26/4=6.5A
4. The diagram above shows how someone could get an electric shock from accidentally
cutting into an electric cable. If this happens, the fuse can overheat and melt.

What is the current in the hedge trimmer above?

Why?

5. What is the current in the ammeter in the diagram

to the left? Why?

0.20+0.10=0.30A

Potential difference, power and energy

1Potential difference is the difference in the amount of energy that charge

2carriers have between two points in a circuit. The following equation shows
3this:

4 E=Q×V
5

6Where E is the energy (in Joules)

7 Q is the charge (in Coulombs)
8 V is the potential difference (in Volts)
9

10If we rearrange this equation to give V = E ÷ Q, we can see where the

1definition of potential difference comes from.
2

3Power is a measure of how quickly energy is transferred from one form to

4another. The following equation shows this:

6 P=E÷t
7

8Where P is the power (in Watts)

9 E is the energy transferred (in Joules)
10 t is the time (in seconds)
11

12Note that you will commonly see the second equation in its rearranged
13form E = P × t.

Task: Complete in your exercise book

BASIC
1. Re-arrange the equations in order to find equations for:
a) time t
b) power P
c) charge Q
d) potential difference V
2. Calculate the energy transferred by a 3,000 W hairdryer in 60 seconds.
3. Calculate the energy transferred in a component when the charge passing through it is 30 C and the
potential difference is 20 V.
4. Calculate the energy transferred when the charge flow is 30 C and the potential difference is 4 V.
5. Calculate the energy transfer for a charge flow of 20 C when the potential difference is 6.0 V.

MEDIUM

1. An Xbox uses a power of 125 W and is left on for a time of 2500s. Calculate the amount of energy used.
2. Calculate the voltage supplied to a 5,000 J appliance that transfers 20 C of electrical charge.
3. A kettle uses a power of 1800 W, and uses 36000 J of energy. Calculate the time that the kettle was left
on for.
4. Calculate the charge transferred by a 5000 J electrical appliance when the voltage supplied to it is 230
V.
5. A laptop uses a power of 65 W, and uses 1300 J of energy. Calculate how long the laptop was used for.
6. An iPhone charger uses 2400 J of energy and delivers 12 V of potential difference. Calculate the charge
of the charger.
7. Convert into Watts:
a) 3.5 kW. To go from kW to W → × 1000
b) 0.7 kW.
8. Convert into kiloWatts:
a) 7000 W. To go from W to kW → ÷ 1000
b) 19000 W.

HARD (for these questions look at the unit conversions on the inside cover of your exercise book)

1. Calculate the energy transferred by a 2 kW electric radiator in 5 minutes.

You need to convert kW into W
P = 2 kW = __________ W
You need to convert minutes into seconds
t = 5 minutes = __________ s
2. Calculate the power for an electrical appliance that transfers 5 kJ of energy in 15 minutes.
3. Calculate the time it takes a 60 kW appliance to transfer 0.02 kJ of electrical energy.
4. Calculate the charge transferred by a 0.05 kJ electrical appliance when the voltage supplied to it is 1000
mV.
5. Calculate the voltage supplied to a 0.05 MJ appliance that transfers 3 C of electrical charge.
6. Describe what happens to the energy transferred by an appliance if:
a) the power of the appliance increases (and the time is kept the same)
b) the time decreases (and the power of the appliance is the same)
7. Describe what happens to the energy when:
a) the potential difference increases (and the charge is kept the same)
b) the charge decreases (and the potential difference is kept the same)

Q1.
The diagram shows an experimental solar-powered bike.

          A battery is connected to the solar cells.

The solar cells charge up the battery.
There is a switch on the handlebars.
When the switch is closed, the battery drives a motor attached to the front wheel.

(a)     Use words from the list to complete the following sentences. Words may be used once,
more than once, or not at all.

chemical                electrical           heat (thermal)          kinetic

 light                       potential            sound

(i)      The solar cells transfer ____________ energy to ____________ energy.

(ii)     When the battery is being charged up, ____________ energy is

transferred to ____________ energy.

(iii)     The motor is designed to transfer ____________ energy

to ____________ energy.
(6)

(b)     (i)      The cyclist stops pedalling for 10 seconds. During this time the motor transfers 1.5
kJ of energy. Calculate the power of the motor.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Power __________ W
(3)

(ii)     Name one form of wasted energy which is produced when the motor is running.

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Task: Complete in your exercise book

BASIC
6. Re-arrange the equations in order to find equations for:
e) time t t=E/P
f) power P P=E/t
g) charge Q Q=E/V
h) potential difference V V=E/Q
7. Calculate the energy transferred by a 3,000 W hairdryer in 60 seconds. E=Pt=3000x60=180000J
8. Calculate the energy transferred in a component when the charge passing through it is 30 C and the
potential difference is 20 V. E=VQ=20x30=600J
9. Calculate the energy transferred when the charge flow is 30 C and the potential difference is 4 V.
E=VQ=4x30=120J
10. Calculate the energy transfer for a charge flow of 20 C when the potential difference is 6.0 V.
E=VQ=6x20=120J
MEDIUM

9. An Xbox uses a power of 125 W and is left on for a time of 2500s. Calculate the amount of energy used.
E=Pxt=125x2500=312500J
10. Calculate the voltage supplied to a 5,000 J appliance that transfers 20 C of electrical charge.
V=E/Q=5000/20=250V
11. A kettle uses a power of 1800 W, and uses 36000 J of energy. Calculate the time that the kettle was left
on for. t=E/P=36000/1800=20s
12. Calculate the charge transferred by a 5000 J electrical appliance when the voltage supplied to it is 230
V. Q=E/V=5000/230=21.7C
13. A laptop uses a power of 65 W, and uses 1300 J of energy. Calculate how long the laptop was used for.
t=E/P=1300/65=20s
14. An iPhone charger uses 2400 J of energy and delivers 12 V of potential difference. Calculate the charge
of the charger. Q=E/V=2400/12=200C
15. Convert into Watts: To go from kW to W → × 1000
c) 3.5 kW. 3500W
d) 0.7 kW. 700W
16. Convert into kiloWatts: To go from W to kW → ÷ 1000
c) 7000 W. 7kW
d) 19000 W. 19kW
HARD (for these questions look at the unit conversions on the inside cover of your exercise book)

8. Calculate the energy transferred by a 2 kW electric radiator in 5 minutes.

You need to convert kW into W
P = 2 kW = 2000 W
You need to convert minutes into seconds
t = 5 minutes = 300 s
E=Pxt=2000x300=600 000J
9. Calculate the power for an electrical appliance that transfers 5 kJ of energy in 15 minutes.
P=E/t=5000/(15x60)=5.56W
10. Calculate the time it takes a 60 kW appliance to transfer 0.02 kJ of electrical
energy.t=E/P=(0.02x1000)/(60x1000)=0.0003s
11. Calculate the charge transferred by a 0.05 kJ electrical appliance when the voltage supplied to it is 1000
mV. (1000mV=1V) -- Q=E/V=(0.05x1000)/1=50C
12. Calculate the voltage supplied to a 0.05 MJ appliance that transfers 3 C of electrical charge.
V=E/Q=(0.05x1000000)/3=16700V (3 sig fig)
13. Describe what happens to the energy transferred by an appliance if:
c) the power of the appliance increases (and the time is kept the same) energy increases
d) the time decreases (and the power of the appliance is the same) energy decreases
14. Describe what happens to the energy when:
c) the potential difference increases (and the charge is kept the same) energy increases
d) the charge decreases (and the potential difference is kept the same) energy decreases

Q1.
The diagram shows an experimental solar-powered bike.

          A battery is connected to the solar cells.

The solar cells charge up the battery.
There is a switch on the handlebars.
When the switch is closed, the battery drives a motor attached to the front wheel.

(a)     Use words from the list to complete the following sentences. Words may be used once,
more than once, or not at all.
 chemical                electrical           heat (thermal)          kinetic

light                       potential            sound

(i)      The solar cells transfer _light_ energy to _electrical_ energy.

(ii)     When the battery is being charged up, _electrical_ energy is

transferred to _chemical_ energy.

(iii)     The motor is designed to transfer _electrical_ energy

to _kinetic_ energy.
(6)

(b)     (i)      The cyclist stops pedalling for 10 seconds. During this time the motor transfers 1.5
kJ of energy. Calculate the power of the motor.

____P=E/t=1500/10_________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Power __150___ W
(3)

(ii)     Name one form of wasted energy which is produced when the motor is running.

__________heat/thermal_______________________________________________
(1)

(Total 9 marks)

1Resistance Resistance and Ohm’s Law

is a measure of how hard it is for the current to pass through a
2component in a circuit.

3The higher the resistance of a component the harder it is for the current to
4pass through that component.

5Resistance is caused when electrons collide with atoms/ions in a metal.

6The thinner the wire, the

7greater the resistance as there
8is a higher chance of a
9collision. If the wire is hotter
10then the atoms vibrate faster
11and so again there is a higher
12chance of a collision. This
13causes resistance to again increase.
1Ohm’s law states that the current through a resistor is proportional to the
2potential difference provided that the temperature is constant.

3V =IxR

4where:

5I  current in amps (A)

6V  potential difference in volts (V)

7R  resistance in ohms (Ω)

9If an electric component has a I-V graph that is a straight line (directly
10proportional) then we say that the component is Ohmic. For example, a resistor
11(at constant temperature) is Ohmic.

12Resistances add together in a series circuit RTOT = R1 + R2 (all in Ω). In a parallel

13circuit the overall resistance decreases.

BASIC
1. Calculate the voltage V for each of the following:
a. I = 8 A and R = 10 Ω V=I×R
b. I = 5 A and R = 2.5 Ω
c. I = 10 A and R = 0.2 Ω

2. Calculate the current I for each of the following:

a. V = 20 V and R = 10 Ω
b. V = 10 V and R = 20 Ω
c. V = 0.2 V and R = 5 Ω

3. Calculate the resistance R for each of the following:

a. I = 4 A and V = 20 V
b. I = 20 A and V = 10 V
c. I = 15.5 A and V = 5.5 V

MEDIUM
1. Calculate the voltage V if I = 1000 mA and R = 5 Ω To go from mA to A → ÷ 1000
2. Calculate the current I if V = 100 mV and R = 2.5 Ω
 To go from mV to V → ÷ 1000
3. Calculate the resistance R if I = 20 mA and V = 10
mV

HARD

1. An electric kettle uses mains voltage (230 V). The current is 10 A. What is the resistance?
2. A light bulb with resistance 60 Ω is connected to a 12 V battery. What is the current?
3. A hairdryer uses mains voltage (230 V). It takes a current of 5 A. Work out the resistance.
4. A toy tractor has a 4.5 V battery operated motor. The resistance of the motor is 15 Ω.
What is the current?
5. A portable CD player takes a 6 V battery. The loudspeaker has a resistance of 4 Ω. What
is the maximum current through the loudspeaker?
6. A torch takes a 3 V battery. The light bulb for the torch has ‘0.2 A’ stamped on the side,
so 3 V gives a current of 0.2 A.
a What is the resistance of the bulb?
b An old battery with voltage 1.5 V is used instead. How much current will flow through
the torch bulb?
c What effect will this have on the torch?
7. A torch has resistance 120 Ω and the current is 100 mA. What is the battery voltage?
8. When a 5 kΩ resistor is connected to a power supply 18 mA of current passes through it.
What is the voltage of the power supply?

Q1.
The diagram shows a temperature sensing circuit used to control a heating system in a house.

(a)     What quantity does the ammeter measure?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     The current in the circuit is 3.5 mA when the potential difference across the thermistor is
4.2 V
 Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = ____________________ Ω
(3)

(c)     Calculate the charge that flows through the thermistor in 5 minutes when the current is 3.5
mA.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge = ____________________ C (3)

BASIC
1. Calculate the voltage V for each of the following:
d. I = 8 A and R = 10 Ω 80V V=I×R
e. I = 5 A and R = 2.5 Ω 12.5V
f. I = 10 A and R = 0.2 Ω 2V
2. Calculate the current I for each of the following:
d. V = 20 V and R = 10 Ω 2A
e. V = 10 V and R = 20 Ω 0.5A
f. V = 0.2 V and R = 5 Ω 0.04A
3. Calculate the resistance R for each of the following:
d. I = 4 A and V = 20 V 5Ω
e. I = 20 A and V = 10 V 0.5Ω
f. I = 15.5 A and V = 5.5 V 0.35Ω
MEDIUM
1. Calculate the voltage V if I = 1000 mA and R = 5 Ω To go from mA to A → ÷ 1000
V=IR=(1000/1000)x5=5V
2. Calculate the current I if V = 100 mV and R = 2.5 Ω
I=V/R=(100/1000)/2.5=0.04A To go from mV to V → ÷ 1000
3. Calculate the resistance R if I = 20 mA and V = 10
mV R=V/I=(10/1000)/(20/1000)=0.5Ω
HARD
1. An electric kettle uses mains voltage (230 V). The current is 10 A. What is the resistance?
R=V/I=230/10=23 Ω
9. A light bulb with resistance 60 Ω is connected to a 12 V battery. What is the current?
I=V/R=12/60=0.2A
10. A hairdryer uses mains voltage (230 V). It takes a current of 5 A. Work out the
resistance. R=V/I=230/5=46 Ω
11. A toy tractor has a 4.5 V battery operated motor. The resistance of the motor is 15 Ω.
What is the current? I=V/R=4.5/15=0.3A
12. A portable CD player takes a 6 V battery. The loudspeaker has a resistance of 4 Ω.
What is the maximum current through the loudspeaker? I=V/R=6/4=1.5A
13. A torch takes a 3 V battery. The light bulb for the torch has ‘0.2 A’ stamped on the
side, so 3 V gives a current of 0.2 A.
a What is the resistance of the bulb? R=V/I=3/0.2=15A
d An old battery with voltage 1.5 V is used instead. How much current will flow through
the torch bulb? I=V/R=1.5/15=0.1A
e What effect will this have on the torch? Torch will be dimmer
14. A torch has resistance 120 Ω and the current is 100 mA. What is the battery voltage?
V=IR=(100/1000)x120=12V
15. When a 5 kΩ resistor is connected to a power supply 18 mA of current passes
through it. What is the voltage of the power supply? V=IR=(18/1000)x5000=90V

Q1.
The diagram shows a temperature sensing circuit used to control a heating system in a house.

(a)     What quantity does the ammeter measure?

_________________current__________________________________________
(1)

(b)     The current in the circuit is 3.5 mA when the potential difference across the thermistor is
4.2 V

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

___R=V/I=4.2/(0.0035)=1200 Ω_________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = ____1200___________ Ω
(3)

(c)     Calculate the charge that flows through the thermistor in 5 minutes when the current is 3.5
mA.

______Q=It_________________________________________________________

______Q=0.0035X(5x60)______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge = ______1.05_________ C (3)

1Fora resistor the potential difference is Resistors

2proportional to the current, provided that the
3temperature is constant.

4Theresistor follows Ohm’s law (it’s an Ohmic

5conductor) and its resistance is constant.

7 A filament light bulb does not follow Ohm’s

8 law (it’s non-Ohmic).
9 As voltage and current increase, the
10 temperature of the filament increases
11 and so does the resistance.
12

13

14An LED is also non-Ohmic and only allows

15current to flow in one direction. The LED will
16only work if the current flows in the right
17direction.

18
1

2 The resistance of the LDR decreases with

3 increasing light intensity.
4

6 The
7resistance of a thermistor decreases
8with increasing temperature.

Task: Complete in your exercise book.

1. Draw the symbols for the following

components
a) Resistor b) Lamp c) LED

d) Thermistor e) LDR

2. The voltage across a bulb is measured for

various different currents, with the results
plotted opposite.
a) At what voltage does the lamp stop acting
like an Ohmic conductor (i.e. when does it
stop following Ohm’s law and being a
straight line)?
b) What is the current when the Voltage is:
i) 2V. ii) 6V. iii) 12V.
c) Calculate the resistance of the lamp at:
i) 2V. ii) 6V. iii) 12V.
d) What do you notice happens to the resistance of the lamp as the voltage increases?
e) Why does this happen to the resistance of the lamp?
3. The figure opposite shows the apparatus used to
obtain the data needed to calculate the resistance of a
thermistor at different temperatures.
a) Use the data given in the figure to calculate the
resistance of the thermistor at 20 °C.
b) Using a ruler and pencil for the axes, sketch a
graph that shows how the resistance of the
thermistor would change as the temperature
increases from 20 °C to 100 °C.
c) Give an example of a circuit that is likely to contain
a thermistor.
d) The ammeter used in the circuit has a very low
resistance. Why is it important that ammeters have
a very low resistance?
 e) A student plans to investigate how the resistance of an LDR changes with light intensity. The student
starts with the apparatus show in the figure but makes three changes to the apparatus. One of the
changes is to replace the thermistor with an LDR. Describe what other changes the
student should make to the apparatus.
f) Draw a circuit diagram of the new apparatus (with LDR instead of thermistor).
4. Some electronic calculators use light emitting diodes (LEDs) to display numbers. Each
number in a display consists of up to seven LEDs. The LEDs are arranged as shown in
the diagram below. The different numbers are formed by switching different LEDs on
at the same time. The LEDs are labelled A to G. A simplified circuit to provide power
to the LEDs is shown.
a) Explain why each LED has its own switch.
b) What number is displayed when all switches except E are closed?
c) Which switches would be open if the number 3 is to be displayed?
d) Which of the numbers from 0 to 9 draws the least
current from the battery? Explain your answer.

Q1.
A 12 V filament bulb is connected to a 12 V power
supply.
The graph shows how the current changes after the bulb is switched on.

(a)     (i)      After 0.10 seconds, the bulb works at its normal brightness.

What is the current through the bulb when it is working at normal brightness?

Current = _____________________ A
(1)

(ii)     The bulb works at normal brightness for 30 seconds before it is switched off.

Calculate the charge that flows through the bulb in the 30 seconds before it is
switched off. Give the unit.
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Charge = _________________ unit _________________

(3)

(iii)    Calculate the energy transferred by the 12 V bulb when it is working at normal

brightness for 30 seconds.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Energy transferred = _____________________ J

(2)

(b)     Between 0.02 seconds and 0.08 seconds, there is an increase in both the resistance and
the temperature of the metal filament inside the bulb.

Explain, in terms of the electrons and ions inside the filament, why both the temperature
and the resistance increase.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
Task: Complete in your exercise book.

1. Draw the symbols for the following

components
b) Resistor b) Lamp c) LED

d) Thermistor e) LDR

2. The voltage across a bulb is measured for

various different currents, with the results
plotted opposite.
f) At what voltage does the lamp stop acting
like an Ohmic conductor (i.e. when does it
stop following Ohm’s law and being a
straight line)? 1.2V
g) What is the current when the Voltage is:
ii) 2V. 1.0A ii) 6V. 2.0A iii) 12V. 2.35A
h) Calculate the resistance of the lamp at:
ii) 2V. 2Ω ii) 6V. 3 Ω iii) 12V. 5.1 Ω
i) What do you notice happens to the resistance of the lamp as the voltage increases? Resistance increases
j) Why does this happen to the resistance of the lamp? The filament gets hot
3. The figure opposite shows the apparatus used to
obtain the data needed to calculate the resistance of a
thermistor at different temperatures.
a) Use the data given in the figure to calculate the
resistance of the thermistor at 20 °C.
R=V/I=9/0.025=360 Ω
b) Using a ruler and pencil for the axes, sketch a
graph that shows how the resistance of the
thermistor would change as the temperature
increases from 20 °C to 100 °C.
c) Give an example of a circuit that is likely to contain
a thermistor. Heat alarms, thermostats
 d) The ammeter used in the circuit has a very low resistance. Why is it important that ammeters have a
very low resistance?so that they do not affect the current in the circuit
e) A student plans to investigate how the resistance of an LDR changes with light intensity. The student
starts with the apparatus show in the figure but makes three changes to the apparatus. One of the
changes is to replace the thermistor with an LDR. Describe what other changes the
student should make to the apparatus. Lamp instead of Bunsen burner, no water,
a meter to measure light intensity (or a ruler to measure distance between lamp
and LDR)
f) Draw a circuit diagram of the new apparatus (with LDR instead of thermistor).
4. Some electronic calculators use light emitting diodes (LEDs) to display numbers. Each
number in a display consists of up to seven LEDs. The LEDs are arranged as shown in
the diagram below. The different numbers are formed by switching different LEDs on
at the same time. The LEDs are labelled A to G. A simplified circuit to provide power
to the LEDs is shown.
e) Explain why each LED has its own switch. So they can be individually controlled
f) What number is displayed when all switches except E are closed? 9
g) Which switches would be open if the number 3 is to be displayed? B & E
h) Which of the numbers from 0 to 9 draws the least
current from the battery? Explain your answer. 1,
lowest number of LEDs are on

Q1.
A 12 V filament bulb is connected to a 12 V power
supply.
The graph shows how the current changes after the
bulb is switched on.

(a)     (i)      After 0.10 seconds, the bulb works at its normal brightness.

What is the current through the bulb when it is working at normal brightness?

Current = ______1.7___________ A
(1)
 (ii)     The bulb works at normal brightness for 30 seconds before it is switched off.

Calculate the charge that flows through the bulb in the 30 seconds before it is
switched off. Give the unit.

_______Q=It=1.7x30=51_______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Charge = ______51___________ unit _______C__________

(3)

(iii)    Calculate the energy transferred by the 12 V bulb when it is working at normal

brightness for 30 seconds.

__________E=ItV=1.7x30x12___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Energy transferred = __612___________________ J

(2)

(b)     Between 0.02 seconds and 0.08 seconds, there is an increase in both the resistance and
the temperature of the metal filament inside the bulb.

Explain, in terms of the electrons and ions inside the filament, why both the temperature
and the resistance increase.

Current increases, energy of electrons increases, electrons move and vibrate more,
collide with ions more, causing ions to vibrate. This means that the ion and electrons have
more energy so temperature increases. Vibrations of ions make it more difficult for
electrons to travel through the material, hence resistance is increased.
__________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
 Resistance of a length of wire
Aim: To find out how the resistance depends on the length of wire.
Equipment list: Power supply, ammeter, voltmeter, crocodile clips,
resistance wires, connecting wires.

How does the resistance of a wire depend on its length?

A dimmer switch allows you to control the brightness of a lamp. In this experiment you will investigate how the
dimmer switch works. You will construct a circuit to measure the potential difference across a wire and the current
in the wire. You will do this for different lengths of wire.

Method: You should read these instructions carefully before you start work.
1. Connect the circuit. It may be helpful to start at the positive
side of the battery or power supply. This may be indicated by
a red socket.
2. Connect a lead from the red socket to the positive side of the
ammeter.
3. Connect a lead from the negative side of the ammeter (this
may be black) to the crocodile clip at the zero end of the
ruler.
4. Connect a lead from the other crocodile clip to the negative
side of the battery. The main loop of the circuit is now
complete. Use this lead as a switch to disconnect the battery between readings.

5. Connect a lead from the positive side of the voltmeter to the crocodile clip the ammeter is connected to.
6. Connect a lead from the negative side of the voltmeter to the other crocodile clip.

7. Record the length of the wire between the crocodile clips, and the readings on the ammeter and voltmeter in a
suitable table.
8. Move the crocodile clip and record the new ammeter and voltmeter readings. Note that the voltmeter reading
may not change. Repeat this to obtain several pairs of meter readings for different lengths of wire.
9. Calculate and record the resistance for each length of wire using the equation: R = V ÷ I
10. Plot a graph of resistance in Ω against length in cm.
11. You should be able to draw a straight line of best fit although it may not go through the origin. Can you account
for the extra resistance?

Length of Potential Current Resistance

wire (cm) difference (V) (A) (Ω)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

A student
investigated how
the resistance of
a piece of
nichrome wire
varies with length.
Figure 1 shows part of the circuit the student used.

Figure 1

(a)  Complete Figure 1 by adding an ammeter and a voltmeter.

Use the correct circuit symbols. (3)

(b)  Describe how the student would obtain the data needed for the investigation.

Your answer should include a risk assessment for one hazard in the investigation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)

(c)  Why would switching off the circuit between readings have improved the accuracy of the
student’s investigation?
 Tick one box.
 

The charge flow through the wire would not change.

The potential difference of the battery would not increase.

The power output of the battery would not increase.

The temperature of the wire would not change.

(1)

(d)  The student used crocodile clips to make connections to the wire.

They could have used a piece of equipment called a ‘jockey’.

Figure 2 shows a crocodile clip and a jockey in contact with a wire.

Figure 2

How would using the jockey have affected the accuracy and resolution of the student’s
results compared to using the crocodile clip?
 Tick two boxes.
 

The accuracy of the student’s results would be higher.

The accuracy of the student’s results would be lower.

The accuracy of the student’s results would be the same.

The resolution of the length measurement would be higher.

The resolution of the length measurement would be lower.

The resolution of the length measurement would be the same.

(2)
(Total 12 marks)
A student investigated how the resistance of a piece of nichrome wire varies with length.

Figure 1 shows part of the circuit the student used.

Figure 1

(a)  Complete Figure 1 by adding an ammeter and a voltmeter.

Use the correct circuit symbols. (3)

(b)  Describe how the student would obtain the data needed for the investigation.

Your answer should include a risk assessment for one hazard in the investigation.

Use the variable resistor to increase the voltage in the circuit. For each volt increase
shown on the voltmeter, record the current shown by the ammeter. Collect as many pairs
of values as possible, then reduce the voltage back to zero and repeat the experiment.
Repeat twice, then average the currents for each voltage. Plot a graph of voltage against
average current.

The wire will get hot, so switch off the circuit between readings.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
 (c)  Why would switching off the circuit between readings have improved the accuracy of the
student’s investigation?

Tick one box.

 

The charge flow through the wire would not change.

The potential difference of the battery would not increase.

The power output of the battery would not increase.

 X

The temperature of the wire would not change.

 (1)

(d)  The student used crocodile clips to make connections to the wire.

They could have used a piece of equipment called a ‘jockey’.

Figure 2 shows a crocodile clip and a jockey in contact with a wire.

Figure 2

How would using the jockey have affected the accuracy and resolution of the student’s
results compared to using the crocodile clip?

Tick two boxes.

 
 X

The accuracy of the student’s results would be higher.

 The accuracy of the student’s results would be lower.

The accuracy of the student’s results would be the same.

X
The resolution of the length measurement would be higher.

The resolution of the length measurement would be lower.

The resolution of the length measurement would be the same.

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Current Voltage
(A) (V)
I-V curves
Aim: To change the current
I in a circuit in order to find
the resistance R of the
following components:
1) Filament light bulb.
2) Resistor
3) Diode

Set the circuit up as shown. Change the value on the

variable resistor and record eight different currents and voltages in the
table below. Plot an I-V graph for the filament lamp.

Change the filament

light bulb for a fixed
resistor. Set up the
circuit as shown. Change
the value on the
variable resistor and
record eight different
currents and voltages in
the table below. Plot an
I-V graph for the fixed
resistor.

Current Voltage
(A) (V)
Change the filament light bulb for a diode. Be careful to set up the diode in
the correct direction (polarity). Change the value on the variable resistor
and record eight different currents and voltages in the table below. Plot an
I-V graph for the fixed resistor.

Current Voltage
(A) (V)
 A student wants to
investigate how the current through a filament lamp affects its resistance.

(a)     Use the circuit symbols in the boxes to draw a circuit diagram that she could use.
 
12 V variable filament
voltmeter ammeter
battery resistor lamp

 
 
(2)

(b)     Describe how the student could use her circuit to investigate how the current through a
filament lamp affects its resistance.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(c)     The student’s results are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
  

Describe how the resistance of the filament lamp changes as the current through it
increases.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Use Figure 1 to estimate the resistance of the filament lamp when a current of 0.10 A
passes through the lamp.

Resistance = _____________________ Ω
(1)

(e)     The current-potential difference graphs of three components are shown in Figure 2.

Use answers from the box to identify each component.

 

diode filament lamp light dependent resistor

resistor at constant temperature thermistor

Figure 2
              __________________________

             __________________________

             __________________________
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

A student wants to investigate how the current through a filament lamp affects its resistance.
 (a)     Use the circuit symbols in the boxes to draw a circuit diagram that she could use.
 
12 V variable filament
voltmeter ammeter
battery resistor lamp

(2)

(b)     Describe how the student could use her circuit to investigate how the current through a
filament lamp affects its resistance.

Use the variable resistor to increase the voltage in the circuit. For each volt increase
shown on the voltmeter, record the current shown by the ammeter. Collect as many pairs
of values as possible, then reduce the voltage back to zero and repeat the experiment.
Repeat twice, then average the currents for each voltage. Plot a graph of voltage against
average current.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
 (c)     The student’s results are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Describe how the resistance of the filament lamp changes as the current through it
increases.

____resistance increases as current increases. The increase is non-linear. ____

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Use Figure 1 to estimate the resistance of the filament lamp when a current of 0.10 A
passes through the lamp.

Resistance = ________6.4_(accept sensible range)____________ Ω

(1)

(e)     The current-potential difference graphs of three components are shown in Figure 2.

Use answers from the box to identify each component.

 

diode filament lamp light dependent resistor

resistor at constant temperature thermistor

 Figure 2

             _______filament lamp___________________

             ________resistor at constant temperature

             _______diode___________________
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

1In Potential difference in series & parallel

a series circuit, the voltage supplied by the
2battery is shared by the components. So, the
3sum of the potential difference across the
1components equals the battery voltage.

2Thisis because the work done by the battery on the charge must always
3equal the work done on the components. Otherwise, energy would be lost.

4Asmore bulbs are added in series, each bulb has less potential difference
5and so the bulbs become dimmer.

6The component with the highest resistance will have

7the largest potential difference because the higher
8the resistance, the more work is done by the charge
9passing through it.

10Ina parallel circuit, the potential difference across

11each bulb is the same as the potential difference
12across the battery.

13This means that all the bulbs have the same

14brightness, and they are brighter than the same
15number of bulbs in a series circuit. However, this also
16means that the battery will run down faster in a parallel circuit.

17Example question. What is the potential difference

18across each of these resistors?
19STEP 1: Calculate the total resistance
20RTOT = R1 + R2 = 5 + 10 = 15 Ω
21STEP 2: Calculate the total current in the circuit
22I = V ÷ R = 6 ÷ 15 = 0.4 A
23STEP 3: Calculate the potential difference across both of the resistors
245 Ohm resistor: V = I × R = 0.4 × 5 = 2V
2510 Ohm resistor: V = I × R = 0.4 × 10 = 4V
26

27Note that these potential differences add up to give the total potential
28difference across the battery (6V).

Basic
1. A 1.5 V cell is connected to a 3.0 Ω resistor and a 2.0 Ω resistor in series with each
other.
A. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit
B. Calculate:
 (I) The total resistance of the two resistors
(II) The current through the resistors
(III) The potential differences across each resistor

Medium
2. A circuit contains a battery of two cells, with each cell providing 1.5 V. The circuit also
has two resistors connected in series. Resistor P has a resistance of 2 Ω and resistor Q
has a resistance of 10 Ω.
A. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit.
B. Calculate the total resistance of the two resistors
C. Calculate the total potential difference provided by the battery
D. Show that the current through the battery is 0.25 A
E. Calculate the potential difference across each resistor
3. A circuit contains a 6 V battery and three resistors connected in parallel with each
other and with the battery.
R1 = 2 Ω
R2 = 3 Ω
R3 = 6 Ω
a. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit
b. Calculate the current through each resistor
c. Calculate the current through the battery

Hard
4. The battery in this circuit has a potential difference of 12V, each bulb has a resistance
of 5Ω, calculate the current in A1, A2 and A3
5. The two bulbs are identical, calculate the voltage over them
6. What would happen to the brightness of the bulbs if you added
another bulb in series with the first two?
7. What would happen to the brightness A1 of the bulbs if A3
you added another two bulbs in parallel to the first two?

A2
The diagram shows a simple type of car rear
window heater. The six heating elements are
exactly the same and are connected in series.

Each heating element has a resistance of 5 Ω. The

current passing through each element is 0.4 A.

(a) Calculate the total resistance of the six

heating elements. Show clearly how you
work out your answer. (2)
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(b) Why is the current passing through each element the same? (1)
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(c) What is the total current passing through the whole circuit? (1)
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(d) How is the 12-volt potential difference of the car battery shared between the six
heating elements? (1)
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Basic
1. A 1.5 V cell is connected to a 3.0 Ω resistor and a 2.0 Ω resistor in series with each
other.
A. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit
 B. Calculate:
(I) The total resistance of the two resistors 5 Ω
(II) The current through the resistors I=V/R=1.5/5=0.3A
(III) The potential differences across each resistor 0.9Ω and 0.6Ω

Medium
1. A circuit contains a battery of two cells, with each cell providing 1.5 V. The circuit also
has two resistors connected in series. Resistor P has a resistance of 2 Ω and resistor Q
has a resistance of 10 Ω.
A. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit.

B. Calculate the total resistance of the two resistors 12 Ω

C. Calculate the total potential difference provided by the battery 3V
D. Show that the current through the battery is 0.25 A I=V/R=3/12=0.25A
E. Calculate the potential difference across each resistor 2.5V & 0.5V

2. A circuit contains a 6 V battery and three resistors connected in parallel with each
other and with the battery.
R1 = 2 Ω
R2 = 3 Ω
R3 = 6 Ω
a. Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit
 b. Calculate the current through each resistor 3A, 2A, 1A
c. Calculate the current through the battery 3+2+1=6A

Hard
1. The battery in this circuit has a potential difference of 12V,
each bulb has a resistance of 5Ω, calculate the current in A1, A2
and A3
Total resistance= 10 Ω
I=V/R=1.2A in all ammeters
2. The two bulbs are identical, calculate A1 the voltage over
A3
them
6V each
3. What would happen to the brightness of the bulbs if you A2
added another bulb in series with the first two?
All bulbs would get dimmer
4. What would happen to the brightness of the bulbs if you added another two bulbs in
parallel to the first two?
Brightness would stay the same (but the battery would run out sooner)

The diagram shows a simple type of car rear

window heater. The six heating elements are
exactly the same and are connected in series.

Each heating element has a resistance of 5 Ω. The

current passing through each element is 0.4 A.

(a) Calculate the total resistance of the six

heating elements. Show clearly how you
work out your answer. (2)

6x5=30 Ω

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(b) Why is the current passing through each element the same? (1)
It is a series circuit, only one path available for the current

___________________________________________________________________
 (c) What is the total current passing through the whole circuit? (1)
0.4A

___________________________________________________________________

(d) How is the 12-volt potential difference of the car battery shared between the six
heating elements? (1)
Voltage shared equally between all elements, so 2V each

1As Sensing circuits

the temperature increases, the resistance of a thermistor decreases. This
2can be used in a circuit that controls when central heating of a flat/house
3turns on and off.

4As the light intensity increase, the resistance of an LDR decrease. This can
5be used to automatically turn street lights on/off when it gets dark/light.

6If the light level increases:

7 a) Resistance of LDR will decrease.
8 b) Voltage across the LDR will decrease.
9 c) Voltage across the resistor will increase.
10 d) Overall current in the
11 circuit will increase.
12 Worked example.
 1The graph shows how the resistance of an LDR varies with light level. The
2circuit shows how the LDR is connected to a computer circuit. The
3computer circuit turns on the street light when the potential difference
4across it is less than 3V.

5When the light intensity is 45 lux:

6Q1 What is the resistance of the LDR?
71000 Ω
8Q2 What is the total resistance of the circuit?
9RTOT = R1 + R2 = 1000 + 1000 = 2000 Ω
10Q3 What is the current in the circuit?
11I = V ÷ R = 6 ÷ 2000 = 0.003 A
12Q4 What is the potential difference across the fixed resistor?
13V = I × R = 0.003 × 1000 = 3 V
14Q5 Will the street lights be on or off?
15Off, as the potential difference is not less than 3V.
16The graph shows how the resistance of an LDR varies with light level.
Task: Complete in your exercise book

The circuit shows how the LDR is connected to a computer circuit.

The computer circuit turns on the street light when the p.d. across it is less than 3V.
6V

1000

When the light intensity is 80 lux:

1. What is resistance of the LDR?
2. What is the total resistance of
the circuit?
3. What is the current in the circuit?
4. What is the p.d. across the fixed resistor?
5. Will the street lights be on or off?

When the light intensity is 10 lux

 6. What is resistance of the LDR?
7. What is the total resistance of the circuit?
8. What is the current in the circuit?
9. What is the p.d. across the fixed resistor?
10. Will the street lights be on or off?

When the computer circuit has 3V across it

11. What is the current through the fixed resistor?
12. What is the total resistance of the circuit?
13. What is the resistance of the LDR?
14. What is the light intensity?

To enable the light intensity at which the street light comes on to be varied, the fixed resistor is replaced
with a variable resistor.
15. What value should the variable resistor have so that the switch comes on when the light intensity is
50 lux?

The diagram shows a temperature sensing circuit used to control a heating system in a house.

(a)     What quantity does the ammeter measure?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(b) Explain how the readings on both meters change when the environmental conditions change.     
(6)

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(c)     The current in the circuit is 3.5 mA when the potential difference across the thermistor is
4.2 V

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = ____________________ Ω
(3)

(d)     Calculate the charge that flows through the thermistor in 5 minutes when the current is 3.5
mA.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge = ____________________ C
(3)

(e)     The circuit shown in the diagram can be modified to turn lights on and off by replacing the
thermistor with a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR).

Draw the circuit symbol for an LDR in the space below.

 (1)
(Total 14 marks)

Task: Complete in your exercise book

The circuit shows how the LDR is connected to a computer circuit.

The computer circuit turns on the street light when the p.d. across it is less than 3V.
6V

1000

When the light intensity is 80 lux:

1. What is resistance of the LDR?
500 Ω
2. What is the total resistance of the circuit? 1000+500=1500 Ω
3. What is the current in the circuit? I=V/R=6/1500=0.004A
4. What is the p.d. across the fixed resistor? V=IR=0.004x1000=4V
5. Will the street lights be on or off? Off

When the light intensity is 10 lux

6. What is resistance of the LDR? 2000 Ω
7. What is the total resistance of the circuit? 1000 + 2000 = 3000 Ω
8. What is the current in the circuit? I=V/R=6/3000=0.002 Ω
9. What is the p.d. across the fixed resistor? V=IR=0.002x1000=2V
10. Will the street lights be on or off? On
When the computer circuit has 3V across it
11. What is the current through the fixed resistor? I=V/R=3/1000=0.003A
12. What is the total resistance of the circuit? R=V/I=6/0.003=2000 Ω
13. What is the resistance of the LDR? 2000-1000=1000 Ω
14. What is the light intensity? 45lux

To enable the light intensity at which the street light comes on to be varied, the fixed resistor is replaced
with a variable resistor.
15. What value should the variable resistor have so that the switch comes on when the light intensity is
50 lux? To get 3V across the variable resistor means the variable resistor and the LDR need to have
the same resistance so that the 6V is split equally between them. At 50lux, the resistance of the LDR
is 900 Ω so the variable resistor also needs to have a resistance of 900 Ω

The diagram shows a temperature sensing circuit used to control a heating system in a house.

(a)     What quantity does the ammeter measure?

_____________current _______________________________________________
(1)
(b) Explain how the readings on both meters change when the environmental conditions change.     
(6)

When temperature increases, the resistance of the thermistor decreases.

The overall resistance of the circuit decreases, so the current in the circuit increases
(ammeter reading goes up).

The voltmeter records a lower reading because the thermistor now has a smaller share of
the total resistance of the circuit, and therefore a smaller share of the total voltage in the
circuit.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(c)     The current in the circuit is 3.5 mA when the potential difference across the thermistor is
4.2 V

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

_______R=V/I=4.2/0.0035=1200 Ω ___________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Resistance = ___1200_________________ Ω
(3)

(d)     Calculate the charge that flows through the thermistor in 5 minutes when the current is 3.5
mA.

_____Q=It=0.0035x(5x60)=1.05C________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Charge = _____1.05_______________ C
(3)

(e)     The circuit shown in the diagram can be modified to turn lights on and off by replacing the
thermistor with a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR).

Draw the circuit symbol for an LDR in the space

below.
 (1)
(Total 14 marks)

1Direct Mains electricity

current (d.c.) only flows in one direction.
2Alternating current (a.c.) constantly changes direction.
3Mains electricity is an a.c. supply. In the UK it is about 230 V
4and it has a frequency of 50 Hz.

5Most electrical appliances are connected to the mains using

6a cable and a three-pin plug.

7Three pins stick out through the

8plug case the live pin, the neutral
9pin and the earth pin.

10The pins are made of brass. The plug contains a fuse

11between the live pin and the live wire.

12Each pin is connected to a wire:

13 • The live wire (brown) carries the a.c. from the
14 supply and is dangerous.
15 • The neutral wire (blue) completes the circuit and
16 is usually set at 0V. It is still dangerous as a.c.
17 flows through it.
1 • The Earth wire (green and yellow) is a safety wire and it is set at 0V. It
2 doesn’t normally carry current, but if there is a fault, the a.c. flows
3 from live to Earth.
4 The fuse melts and breaks the circuit if a fault in an appliance causes too
5 much current flow. Circuit breakers also break the circuit when the
6 current is too high, but are resettable by a switch.

Task: Complete in your exercise book

Basic
1. a) How does alternating current differ to direct current?
b) What is the frequency of the a.c. mains electricity supply in the UK?
c) What is the voltage of UK mains electricity?
2. What are the names and colours of the three pins in a plug?
3. a) Why are pins in a plug made of brass?
b) Why is the outer casing of a plug made of plastic?
4. a) What is the purpose of a fuse?
b) What causes a fuse to break the circuit?
c) Give one advantage of a circuit breaker over a fuse?

Medium
5. The diagram shows the inside of an incorrectly wired
three-pin plug.
a) What two changes need to be made so that the plug is wired correctly?
b) The fuse inside a plug is a safety device. Explain what happens when too much current passes
through a fuse.
c) Using the hairdryer in picture A is dangerous. However,
it is safe to use the battery-operated radio in picture B.
Explain why.
6. The diagram to the below shows someone accidentally
touching a live wire inside a dismantled 230 V mains
electricity socket.
a) The total resistance to current flow is 50 kΩ.
Calculate the current that will flow through the
person. (Hint: you need to use Ohm’s law and
rearrange the equation).
b) Rubber is a good insulator. Explain why it is a
good idea for electricians to wear rubber soled
boots when working.
 To go from kΩ to Ω → × 1000

Hard
7. A hairdryer designed to be used with the UK mains supply has a plastic cover. The cable connecting
the hairdryer to the plug does not have an Earth wire. Why does the hairdryer not need a cable
with an Earth wire?
8. An oscilloscope (this is a device used for measuring and showing voltage
over time) is connected to an alternating current (ac) supply. The
diagram shows the trace produced on the oscilloscope screen. Each
horizontal division on the oscilloscope screen represents 0.002 s.
Calculate the frequency of the alternating current supply. Hint:
frequency is a measure of how many cycles the current makes every
second.

Q1.
(a)     Use numbers given in the box to complete the following sentences.
 
            12               50               110               230

In the UK, the mains electricity supply is ________________________________ volts. The frequency of the UK
mains electricity supply is _______________________ hertz.
(2)

(b)     The diagram shows a hairdryer designed to be

used with the UK mains supply. The cable
connecting the hairdryer to the plug does not have
an earth wire.

(i)      Why does the hairdryer not need a cable

with an earth wire?
 _________________________________________
_________________________________________ (1)

(ii)     Which one of the following materials are the two wires
inside the cable made from?

         Draw a ring around your answer.

                    aluminium                             copper                          steel

(1)
(Total 4 marks)
Q2.
(a) The diagram below shows the three pins in a
mains plug. The pins connect with the live,
neutral and earth terminals in a socket.

On the diagram, label each pin to show which is:

the live pin, the neutral pin, the earth pin.
(3)

(b)     The diagram to the left

shows the inside of a
mains plug.

(i)      Name one material which could be used for the part labelled X.
 _________________________________________________________

(ii)     Complete the sentences below.

The part labelled Y is called the ___________________________________ .

This is used to hold the _______________________________ firmly in place.

The component labelled Z is the ___________________________________ .

(iii)     The plug is used with an electric fire.

Which part of the electric fire is connected to the earth pin?

______________________________________________________________
(5)
Task: Complete in your exercise book
Basic
1. a) How does alternating current differ to direct current? alternating current constantly changes
direction
b) What is the frequency of the a.c. mains electricity supply in the UK? 50Hz
c) What is the voltage of UK mains electricity? 240V
2. What are the names and colours of the three pins in a plug? Neutral (blue), Live (brown), Earth
(yellow/green)
3. a) Why are pins in a plug made of brass? Brass is hard and a good conductor
b) Why is the outer casing of a plug made of plastic? It’s an insulator
4. a) What is the purpose of a fuse? Melts if the current gets
too large, breaking the circuit
b) What causes a fuse to break the circuit? Current
getting too high
c) Give one advantage of a circuit breaker over a fuse?
Can be reset

Medium
1. The diagram shows the inside of an incorrectly wired three-pin plug.
a) What two changes need to be made so that the plug is wired correctly? Secure Earth wire and
cable grip
b) The fuse inside a plug is a safety device. Explain what
happens when too much current passes through a fuse.
It melts
c) Using the hairdryer in picture A is dangerous. However,
it is safe to use the battery-operated radio in picture B.
Explain why. Batteries provide a much smaller current,
so the risk of electric shock is greatly reduced
2. The diagram to the below shows someone accidentally touching a live wire inside a dismantled 230
V mains electricity socket.
a) The total resistance to current flow is 50 kΩ.
Calculate the current that will flow through the
person. (Hint: you need to use Ohm’s law and
rearrange the equation).
I=V/R=230/50000=0.0046A
 b) Rubber is a good insulator. Explain why it is a good idea for electricians to wear rubber soled
boots when working.
So that a current is not earthed by the electrician through his shoes

To go from kΩ to Ω → × 1000

Hard
1. A hairdryer designed to be used with the UK mains supply has a plastic cover. The cable connecting
the hairdryer to the plug does not have an Earth wire. Why does the hairdryer not need a cable
with an Earth wire? The hairdryer is double insulated (it has a casing made of an insulator) so
current cannot flow in the casing
2. An oscilloscope (this is a device used for measuring and showing voltage
over time) is connected to an alternating current (ac) supply. The
diagram shows the trace produced on the oscilloscope screen. Each
horizontal division on the oscilloscope screen represents 0.002 s.
Calculate the frequency of the alternating current supply. Hint:
frequency is a measure of how many cycles the current makes every
second. T=4x0.002=0.008s
f=1/T=125Hz

Q1.
(a)     Use numbers given in the box to complete the following sentences.
 
            12               50               110               230

In the UK, the mains electricity supply is _____230___________________________ volts. The frequency of the
UK mains electricity supply is __________50_____________ hertz.
50(2)

(b)     The diagram shows a hairdryer designed to be

used with the UK mains supply. The cable
connecting the hairdryer to the plug does not have
an earth wire.

(i)      Why does the hairdryer not need a cable

with an earth wire?

Plastic casing means it is double insulated.

Current cannot flow in the casing
 ____________________________________
_________________________________________ (1)

(ii)     Which one of the following materials are the two wires
inside the cable made from?

         Draw a ring around your answer.

                    aluminium                             copper                          steel

(1)
(Total 4 marks)
Q2.
(b) The diagram below shows the three pins in a
mains plug. The pins connect with the live,
neutral and earth terminals in a socket.

On the diagram, label each pin to show which is:

the live pin, the neutral pin, the earth pin.
(3)

(b)     The diagram to the left

shows the inside of a
mains plug.

(i)      Name one material which could be used for the part labelled X.
________________________plastic/rubber___________________

(ii)     Complete the sentences below.

The part labelled Y is called the ____cable grip_______________________________ .

This is used to hold the _____flex/cable__________________________ firmly in place.

The component labelled Z is the ______fuse_____________________________ .

(iii)     The plug is used with an electric fire.

Which part of the electric fire is connected to the earth pin?

_________casing_____________________________________________________
(5)
 Electrical power
1The electrical power supplied to an appliance is the energy transferred to
2the appliance each second. It can be calculated as follows:

3P =IxV
4Where:

5 I  current in amperes (A)

6 V  voltage in volts (V)
7 P  power in watts (W)
8

9When an electric current passes through a resistor, the power supplied to

10the resistor heats it, and energy is dissipated to the surroundings.

11The electrical power supplied to the resistor can be calculated as follows:

12P = I2 x R
13Where:

14 I  current in amperes (A)

15 R  resistance in ohms (Ω)
16 P  power in watts (W)
1

2Note that this second equation can be derived from the first equation by
3substituting V = I × R into it:

4P =IxV
5P =IxIxR
6P = I2 x R

Task: Complete in your exercise book

BASIC
1. Calculate the power P for each of the following:
a. I = 8 A and V = 20 V
b. I = 5 A and R = 2.5 Ω
c. I = 2 A and V = 0.2V
d. I = 0.1 A and R = 0.2 Ω

2. Calculate the current I for each of the following:

a. V = 20 V and P = 10 W
b. V = 10 V and P = 0.2 W
c. P = 5.5 W and R = 2.2 Ω
d. P = 0.2 W and R = 1.5 Ω

3. Calculate the resistance R for each of the following:

a. I = 4 A and P = 20 W
b. I = 20 A and P = 50,000 W
c. I = 0.015 A and P = 0.055 W

MEDIUM
1. A light bulb is connected to a 2V supply and experiences a current of 6.4A. What is the power rating
of the bulb?

2. A kettle has a power rating of 1500w. What is the potential difference that it must be supplied with
to have a current flowing through it of 30A?

3. A student attaches a 10V supply to a bulb with a power rating of 100w. What is the current running
through the bulb?

4. The student now instead connects a 25w bulb to the same supply. What is the difference between
the current going through this bulb compared to the 100w bulb?

5. An electric radiator has a power of 2,000 W, and a resistance of 20 Ω. Calculate the current in the
circuit.
 6. A household circuit can deliver a maximum of 13 Amps at a voltage of 230V. Calculate the
maximum power this circuit can output.
To go from kW to W → × 1000
HARD
1. An electric radiator has a power of 3 kW, and a current
To go from mA to A → ÷ 1000
of 3 Amps. Calculate the resistance in the circuit.
2. An electric transformer outputs a voltage of 500 kV, and
a current of 100 mA is drawn from the circuit. Calculate the power drawn by the circuit.
3. A microwave has a power of 1 kW, and a resistance of 55 Ω. Calculate the current in the circuit.
4. An iPhone charger outputs a current of 3,000 mA at a power of 50 W. Calculate the voltage given
out by the charger.
5. A desktop computer uses a power of 0.5 kW, at a current of 5 A. Calculate the resistance of the
computer.

Q1.
The image shows a battery-powered drone.

(a)     The battery in the drone can store 97.5 kJ of energy.

When the drone is hovering, the power output of the battery is 65.0 W

Calculate the time for which the drone can hover.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Time = ____________________ seconds

(3)

(b)     The battery powers 4 motors in the drone.

Each motor has a resistance of 1.60 Ω when the power input to each motor is 19.6 W

The 4 motors are connected in parallel with the battery.

Calculate the current through the battery.

 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = ____________________ A
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

Task: Complete in your exercise book

BASIC
1. Calculate the power P for each of the following:
a. I = 8 A and V = 20 V 160W
b. I = 5 A and R = 2.5 Ω 62.5W
c. I = 2 A and V = 0.2V 0.4W
d. I = 0.1 A and R = 0.2 Ω 0.002W

2. Calculate the current I for each of the following:

a. V = 20 V and P = 10 W 0.5A
b. V = 10 V and P = 0.2 W 0.02A
c. P = 5.5 W and R = 2.2 Ω 1.58A
d. P = 0.2 W and R = 1.5 Ω 0.37A

3. Calculate the resistance R for each of the following:

a. I = 4 A and P = 20 W 1.25 Ω
b. I = 20 A and P = 50,000 W 125 Ω
c. I = 0.015 A and P = 0.055 W 244 Ω

MEDIUM
1. A light bulb is connected to a 2V supply and experiences a current of 6.4A. What is the power rating
of the bulb? P=IV=6.4x2=12.8W
2. A kettle has a power rating of 1500W. What is the potential difference that it must be supplied with
to have a current flowing through it of 30A? V=P/I=1500/30=50V
3. A student attaches a 10V supply to a bulb with a power rating of 100w. What is the current running
through the bulb? I=P/V=100/10=10A
4. The student now instead connects a 25w bulb to the same supply. What is the difference between
the current going through this bulb compared to the 100w bulb? One quarter
5. An electric radiator has a power of 2,000 W, and a resistance of 20 Ω. Calculate the current in the
circuit. I=√(P/R)= √(2000/20)=10A
6. A household circuit can deliver a maximum of 13 Amps at a voltage of 230V. Calculate the
maximum power this circuit can output.
P=IV=13x230=2990W To go from kW to W → × 1000

HARD
 1. An electric radiator has a power of 3 kW, and a current
To go from mA to A → ÷ 1000
of 3 Amps. Calculate the resistance in the circuit.
R=P/I2=3000/32=333 Ω
2. An electric transformer outputs a voltage of 500 kV, and a current of 100 mA is drawn from the
circuit. Calculate the power drawn by the circuit. P=IV=0.1x500000=50000W
3. A microwave has a power of 1 kW, and a resistance of 55 Ω. Calculate the current in the circuit.
I=√(P/R)= √(1000/55)=4.26A
4. An iPhone charger outputs a current of 3,000 mA at a power of 50 W. Calculate the voltage given
out by the charger. V=P/I=50/3=16.7V
5. A desktop computer uses a power of 0.5 kW, at a current of 5 A. Calculate the resistance of the
computer. R=P/I2=500/52=20 Ω

Q1.
The image shows a battery-powered drone.

(a)     The battery in the drone can store 97.5 kJ of energy.

When the drone is hovering, the power output of the battery is 65.0 W

Calculate the time for which the drone can hover.

_______t=E/P=97500/65=1500s_________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Time = _1500_______________ seconds

(3)

(b)     The battery powers 4 motors in the drone.

Each motor has a resistance of 1.60 Ω when the power input to each motor is 19.6 W

The 4 motors are connected in parallel with the battery.

Calculate the current through the battery.

I=√(P/R)= √(19.6/1.6)=3.5A
 3.5x4=14A

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = ________14____________ A
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

•
1The national grid is made up of transformers and transmission cables.
National Grid
2Directly after a power
3station is a step-up
4transformer. This
5increases the voltage but
6decreases the current.
7This reduces the energy
8lost to heating in the
9cables, making the
10transmission of
11electricity more efficient.

12The cables are also low resistance to reduce energy lost to heating. Before
13electricity is delivered to consumers it goes to a step down transformer which
14reduces the voltage to a safe level for consumers. 230V is typically used for use
15in homes and other buildings.

Mini task:

The figure below represents parts of the National Grid.

 a) Match the parts 1–4 in the list below with the labels A–D in the figure.
1 Domestic user ____________

2 Power station ____________

3 Step-down transformer ____________

4 Step-up transformer ____________

b) Write the correct voltage from the list below in each box in the figure.
230 V 25 kV 132 kV

Main Task. The National Grid is a network of

cables, pylons and transformers that distributes
(‘shares out’) electrical energy across the UK.
The diagram shows a simplified model of the
National Grid system.
1. Which letter represents the power station?
__________
2. Which letters represent a pylon? ________
and ________
3. Which letter represents the cables of the
National Grid? ________
4. Which letter represents a house close to the
power station? ________
5. Which letter represents a house far away from the power station? ________
6. Bulb B is brighter than / the same brightness as / dimmer than bulb A.
7. This happens because energy is gained / remains constant / is lost as electric current travels through
the cable because of resistance.
8. The wasted / gained energy results in heating / cooling of the cables.
9. This system can be described as efficient / inefficient because some energy is wasted instead of being
transferred usefully.
10. Which Sankey Diagram best represents the energy transfer to bulb B in this model?

This diagram shows a more realistic

model of the National Grid system.
11. Name the two items that have been
added. ________________________
12. What is the letter of the step up transformer? ________
13. What is the letter of the step down transformer? ________
14. Bulb B is brighter than / has a similar brightness to / dimmer than bulb A.
15. This indicates that more / less energy is being wasted compared with the simple model.
16. (a) This indicates that the system is more / less efficient than before.
(b) Which Sankey Diagram could show the energy transfer to Bulb B now?
17. The step up transformer increases / decreases the voltage of the power supply.
18. This results in the current being stepped down / stepped up.
19. The same amount of energy is being transferred as before: however, it is being transmitted as a high /
low voltage rather than a high / low current.
20. More / The same / Less energy is lost because the energy is carried as a large voltage rather than as a
large current.
21. The step down transformer increases / decreases the voltage to a safer level before it is used by the
consumer.

Q1.
The diagram shows how electricity is distributed from power stations to consumers.

(a)     (i)      What name is given to the network of cables and transformers that links power
stations to consumers?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     What does a step-up transformer do?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii)     Explain why step-up transformers are used in the electricity distribution system.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     Most of the world’s electricity is generated in power stations that burn fossil fuels.

State one environmental problem that burning fossil fuels produces.

 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     Electricity can be generated using energy from the wind. A company wants to build a new
wind farm. Not everyone thinks that this is a good idea.

(i)      What arguments could the company give to persuade people that a wind farm is a
good idea?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     What reasons may be given by the people who think that wind farms are not a good
idea?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)
Main Task. The National Grid is a network of
cables, pylons and transformers that distributes
(‘shares out’) electrical energy across the UK.
The diagram shows a simplified model of the
National Grid system.
1. Which letter represents the power station? F
2. Which letters represent a pylon? C and E
3. Which letter represents the cables of the
National Grid? D
4. Which letter represents a house close to the
power station? A
5. Which letter represents a house far away
from the power station? B
6. Bulb B is brighter than / the same brightness as / dimmer than bulb A.
7. This happens because energy is gained / remains constant / is lost as electric current travels through
the cable because of resistance.
8. The wasted / gained energy results in heating / cooling of the cables.
9. This system can be described as efficient / inefficient because some energy is wasted instead of being
transferred usefully.
10. Which Sankey Diagram best represents the energy transfer to bulb B in this model?N

This diagram shows a more realistic

model of the National Grid system.
11. Name the two items that have been
added. Step up transformer and step
down transformer
12. What is the letter of the step up
transformer? G
13. What is the letter of the step down
transformer? H
14. Bulb B is brighter than / has a similar
brightness to / dimmer than bulb A.
15. This indicates that more / less energy
is being wasted compared with the
simple model.
16. (a) This indicates that the system is more / less efficient than before.
(b) Which Sankey Diagram could show the energy transfer to Bulb B now? L
17. The step up transformer increases / decreases the voltage of the power supply.
18. This results in the current being stepped down / stepped up.
19. The same amount of energy is being transferred as before: however, it is being transmitted as a high /
low voltage rather than a high / low current.
20. More / The same / Less energy is lost because the energy is carried as a large voltage rather than as a
large current.
21. The step down transformer increases / decreases the voltage to a safer level before it is used by the
consumer.

Q1.
The diagram shows how electricity is distributed from power stations to consumers.

(a)     (i)      What name is given to the network of cables and transformers that links power
stations to consumers?

______________National grid___________________________________
(1)

(ii)     What does a step-up transformer do?

______increase voltage (decrease current) _______________________

(1)

(iii)     Explain why step-up transformers are used in the electricity distribution system.

When the voltage increases, the current decreases, which reduces the heating
effect in the wires and therefore reduces the amount of energy wasted as heat.
___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     Most of the world’s electricity is generated in power stations that burn fossil fuels.

State one environmental problem that burning fossil fuels produces.

Carbon dioxide is produced

 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     Electricity can be generated using energy from the wind. A company wants to build a new
wind farm. Not everyone thinks that this is a good idea.

(i)      What arguments could the company give to persuade people that a wind farm is a
good idea?

reduced air pollution, no waste products, less traffic due to deliveries etc,
__________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     What reasons may be given by the people who think that wind farms are not a good
idea?

visual pollution, rely on it being windy

__________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
 (2)
(Total 9 marks)

1Electron—> negative charge Static electricity

2Proton —> positive charge
3Neutron —> no charge

4Usually,atoms are neutral (have no overall

5charge). Their number of protons is equal to
6the number of electrons.

7Only electrons can be transferred to and from an atom. A charged atom is

8called an ion.

9Some objects are more attractive to electrons than others. If you rub a
10balloon (very attractive to other atoms’ electrons) together with a woollen
11jumper. Some of the electrons will be transferred from the jumper to the
12balloon, leaving the jumper positively charged
13and leaving the balloon
14negatively charged.

15Two static electricity rules:

16 1. Opposite charges
17 attract.
18 2. Like charges repel.
19

20
1

6A van de Graaff generator is like an industrial version of rubbing a balloon

7on a jumper, transferring electrons from one place to another. It was
8originally used to accelerate electrons to very high speed.

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Static charge questions

Basic

1 Complete the following sentences using words from the list below.
equal negative opposite positive zero
 c) A proton has …………….. charge.
d) A neutron has …………….. charge.
e) An electron has …………….. charge.
f) A proton and an electron have …………….. and …………….. charge.
Medium
2 Complete the following sentences using words from the list below.
electron(s) ion(s) neutron(s) nucleus (nuclei) proton(s)

a) Every atom contains a …………….. which is positively charged.

g) The nucleus of an atom is composed of …………….. and ……………...
h) The …………….. in an atom move about in the space surrounding the nucleus.
i)An uncharged atom has equal numbers of …………….. and ……………...
j)A charged atom is called an ……………...
k) An uncharged atom becomes charged as a result of transferring …………….. to or from it.
Hard
3 In an experiment, an insulator becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed with a dry cloth.
a) In terms of electron transfer, explain why the insulator becomes negatively charged.
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
l)Explain why the insulator does not lose its charge.
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
4 A positively charged object, X, and another charged object, Y, repel each other.
a) What is the type of charge on Y?
......................................................................................................................................................
m) Y is removed and a negatively charged object, Z, is brought near to X. State whether X
and Z attract or repel each other.
......................................................................................................................................................

Static charge questions

Basic

1 Complete the following sentences using words from the list below.
equal negative opposite positive zero

a) A proton has positive charge.

n) A neutron has zero charge.
 o) An electron has negative charge.
p) A proton and an electron have equal and opposite charge.
Medium
5 Complete the following sentences using words from the list below.
electron(s) ion(s) neutron(s) nucleus (nuclei) proton(s)

a) Every atom contains a nucleus which is positively charged.

q) The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and neutrons
r) The electrons in an atom move about in the space surrounding the nucleus.
s) An uncharged atom has equal numbers of protons and neutrons
t) A charged atom is called an ion
u) An uncharged atom becomes charged as a result of transferring electrons to or from it.
Hard
6 In an experiment, an insulator becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed with a dry cloth.
a) In terms of electron transfer, explain why the insulator becomes negatively charged.
Electrons are transferred from the cloth to the insulator because of friction...............................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
v) Explain why the insulator does not lose its charge.
Electrons cannot flow in an insulator............................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
7 A positively charged object, X, and another charged object, Y, repel each other.
a) What is the type of charge on Y?
positive..........................................................................................................................................
w) Y is removed and a negatively charged object, Z, is brought near to X. State whether X
and Z attract or repel each other.
attract............................................................................................................................................

1A Electric fields
force field is caused by non-contact forces. These forces do not need to
1be in physical contact (touching) for an interaction of forces to take place.
2Attraction/repulsion of static charges is an example of a non-contact forces.

3Electricfield lines flow

4away from positive charges
5and towards negative
6charges. The arrows show
7the direction a positive
8charge would move in the
9field.

10

11

12The closer together the field lines are, the stronger the field. The strength
13of the field depends on two things:

14 1) The size of the charge.

15 2) The distance away from the charge
16The closer together the electric field lines, the stronger the electric field.
 Uses of electrostatics
An electrostatic precipitator is used to take smoke particles out of waste
gases.
1. Smoke particles pick up a negative
charge.

2. Smoke particles are attracted to the

collecting plates.

3. Collecting plates are knocked to remove

smoke particles.
Photocopies also make use of electrostatics:
1. Photoconductor is negatively charged.

2. White parts of paper reflect light & release areas of

negative charge.

3. Toner (ink particles) is positively charged.

4. Toner attracted to areas of leftover negative charge

Printers work in the following way:

Ink particles are positively charged.

Computer controls voltage on plates, controlling

deflection.
Task: Complete in your exercise book
Basic

1. Like charges ________, unlike charges _________.

2. Which charged particle is negatively charged?
3. Name three devices that use electrostatics.
4. The diagram to the right shows how static
electricity is used to paint a metal car panel. Use
words from the box to complete the following
sentences.

All the paint droplets have the same type of charge. This
makes the paint droplets __________ each other and spread out. The car panel and the paint droplets have the
_____________ type of charge. This causes the car panel to __________ the paint droplets. The car panel is covered
by an even layer of paint.

Medium

5. Name a situation in which static electricity is dangerous and not useful. Give a reason for your answer.
6. Describe how an electrostatic precipitator works (3).
7. Describe how a photocopier works (4).
8. Describe how an ink-jet printer works (2).
9. The diagram to the left shows a student touching the
metal dome of a Van de Graaf generator. When the
generator is switched on, the metal dome becomes
negatively charged.
Explain why the student’s hair stands on end when the
generator is switched on. (2)

Hard

10. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are two common types of plastic that can be
recycled from household waste. They need to be separated in the recycling plant. The waste plastics are
crushed into small chips and tumbled together. The PET chips become positively charged. The PVC chips
become negatively charged.
a) Explain how the PET chips become positively charged and the
PVC chips become negatively charged. (2)
b) The mixture is dropped onto a rotating drum.
The mixture sticks to the outside of the drum.
The mixture goes past a metal rod that has a positive charge.
PVC chips leave the drum and fall into the collecting bin on the
right.
Explain why the PVC chips leave the drum. (2)
c) The PET chips are carried round until they reach the scraper.
They fall into the collecting bin on the left.
Both of the bins and the scraper are connected to earth.
Suggest why the bins are the scraper are connected to earth. (1)
Task: Complete in your exercise book

Basic

1. Like charges repel unlike charges attract

2. Which charged particle is negatively charged? electron
3. Name three devices that use electrostatics.
Precipitators, paint sprayers, photocopiers
4. The diagram to the right shows how static
electricity is used to paint a metal car panel. Use
words from the box to complete the following
sentences.

All the paint droplets have the same type of charge. This makes the paint droplets repel each other and spread out.
The car panel and the paint droplets have the opposite type of charge. This causes the car panel to attract the paint
droplets. The car panel is covered by an even layer of paint.

Medium

5. Name a situation in which static electricity is dangerous and not useful. Give a reason for your answer.
Refuelling aircraft- a spark could ignite the fuel
6. Describe how an electrostatic precipitator works (3). Gas is forced past electrodes, giving the soot and dirt
particles a charge. The gas is passed through a metal grid which has the opposite charge. The soot and dirt
particles are attracted to the metal grid, trapping them.
7. Describe how a photocopier works (4). An image of the original is projected onto a positively charged drum,
which conducts electricity when light falls on it. The parts of the drum which are lit by the image lose their
electrostatic charge when they start to conduct. A black powder (called toner) is negatively charged and is
attracted to the positively charged parts of the drum. The drum rotates and rolls against a piece of blank
paper, so the toner is transferred from the drum to the paper making a black and white image.
8. Describe how an ink-jet printer works (2). Lots of small droplets of ink are fired onto a page. The nozzle
works across the page in rows.
9. The diagram to the left shows a student touching the
metal dome of a Van de Graaf generator. When the
generator is switched on, the metal dome becomes
negatively charged.
Explain why the student’s hair stands on end when the
generator is switched on. (2) All of the student, including
each hair on their head, gains the same charge. Like
charges repel, so all of their hairs repel, causing them to
spread apart.
Hard

10. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are two common types of plastic that can be
recycled from household waste. They need to be separated in the recycling plant. The waste plastics are
crushed into small chips and tumbled together. The PET chips become positively charged. The PVC chips
become negatively charged.
d) Explain how the PET chips become positively charged and the
PVC chips become negatively charged. (2) electrons are
transferred from the PET chips to the PVC chips because of
friction between them
e) The mixture is dropped onto a rotating drum.
The mixture sticks to the outside of the drum.
The mixture goes past a metal rod that has a positive charge.
PVC chips leave the drum and fall into the collecting bin on the
right.
Explain why the PVC chips leave the drum. (2) the negatively
charged PVC chips are attracted to the positively charged rod
f) The PET chips are carried round until they reach the scraper.
They fall into the collecting bin on the left.
Both of the bins and the scraper are connected to earth.
Suggest why the bins are the scraper are connected to earth. (1) so that the bins and the scraper do not
gain a charge of their own. This will also discharge the chips once they land in the bin, which prevents
them from repelling each other.