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Electricity has 1 subtopic:
- Current electricity
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A Level AQA Physics · Topic 5 of 13
Electricity – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Electricity covers Current electricity in A Level AQA Physics. 8 lessons in 1 subtopic.
Revise Electricity for A Level AQA Physics, including Current electricity. 8 lessons across 1 subtopic.
8
Lessons
1
Subtopics
Electricity lessons by subtopic
8 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Current electricity
- Electric Current, Potential Difference, and Resistance: An introduction to electric current, potential difference, and resistance, including their definitions, formulas, and relationships.
- Potential Dividers: Principles and Applications: Learn how potential dividers work and how they are used to provide constant or variable potential differences.
- Resistivity and Temperature Effects: Explore the concept of resistivity, its calculation, and the impact of temperature on resistance in metal conductors and thermistors.
- Superconductivity and Applications: Understand superconductivity, its critical temperature, and explore applications such as strong magnetic fields and energy transmission.
- I-V Characteristics: Ohmic Conductors and Ohm's Law: Explore the current-voltage relationship for ohmic conductors and understand Ohm's Law as a special case. Learn about ideal ammeters and voltmeters.
- I-V Characteristics: Semiconductor Diodes and Filament Lamps: Investigate the current-voltage relationship for semiconductor diodes and filament lamps, noting their non-ohmic behavior. Consider how graphs may be presented, with current or voltage on either axis.
- Electromotive Force (EMF) and Terminal Potential Difference: Explore the concepts of electromotive force (EMF) and terminal potential difference, understanding their relationship and how to calculate them.
- Practical: Investigating EMF and Internal Resistance: Perform an experiment to investigate the EMF and internal resistance of electric cells and batteries by measuring the variation of the terminal potential difference with current.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Electricity?
Electricity covers Current electricity in A Level AQA Physics. 8 lessons in 1 subtopic.
What is potential difference?
Potential difference is the work done per unit charge moved between two points in a circuit: V = W/Q, measured in volts, where 1 V = 1 J C⁻¹. The Electric Current, Potential Difference, and Resistance notes cover this in full.
How does a platinum resistance thermometer work?
A platinum resistance thermometer uses the resistance of a platinum wire to measure temperature precisely. The Resistivity and Temperature Effects notes cover this in full.
What is Ohm's law?
Ohm's law states that the current through an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it, provided physical conditions, especially temperature, remain constant: V = IR with R constant. The I-V Characteristics: Ohmic Conductors and Ohm's Law notes cover this in full.
What is electric current?
Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge: I = ΔQ/Δt, where ΔQ is the charge passing a point in coulombs and Δt is the time in seconds. The Electric Current, Potential Difference, and Resistance notes cover this in full.
What is EMF?
Electromotive force (EMF), ε, is the energy transferred per unit charge by a source: ε = E/Q, measured in volts, where 1 V = 1 J C⁻¹. The Electromotive Force (EMF) and Terminal Potential Difference notes cover this in full.
What is the potential divider equation?
The potential divider equation gives the output voltage across R₂ as output voltage = R₂/(R₁ + R₂) × supply voltage. The Potential Dividers: Principles and Applications notes cover this in full.
What is the unit of resistivity?
The SI unit of resistivity is the ohm-metre, Ω m. The Resistivity and Temperature Effects notes cover this in full.
What is resistance?
Resistance is the ratio of the potential difference across a component to the current through it: R = V/I, measured in ohms, where 1 Ω = 1 V A⁻¹. The Electric Current, Potential Difference, and Resistance notes cover this in full.