What this topic covers
Electricity has 5 subtopics:
- Current, potential difference and resistance
- Series and parallel circuits
- Domestic uses and safety
- Energy transfers
- Static electricity (physics only)
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GCSE AQA Higher Physics · Topic 2 of 9
Electricity – GCSE AQA Higher Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Electricity covers Current, potential difference and resistance, Series and parallel circuits, Domestic uses and safety, and Energy transfers in GCSE AQA Higher Physics. 24 lessons in 5 subtopics.
Revise Electricity for GCSE AQA Higher Physics, including Current, potential difference and resistance and Series and parallel circuits.
24
Lessons
5
Subtopics
Electricity lessons by subtopic
24 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Current, potential difference and resistance
- Current, Potential Difference and Resistance: Learn about the relationship between current, potential difference and resistance, and how the length of a wire affects resistance.
- Resistors in Series and Parallel: Explore how resistors behave when combined in series and parallel circuits.
- Calculating Voltage, Current, and Resistance: Learn how to calculate potential difference, current and resistance using the formula V=IR.
- Measuring Resistance and Ohmic Conductors: Learn how to measure resistance using a circuit, draw circuit diagrams, and understand the behaviour of ohmic conductors.
- Non-Ohmic Components: Lamps and Diodes: Explore how the resistance of lamps and diodes changes with current and temperature, and the unique properties of diodes.
- Thermistors, LDRs, and Non-Linearity: Understand the behaviour of thermistors and LDRs in circuits, their applications, and how to interpret graphs of circuit elements.
- Circuit Symbols and Diagrams: Learn about standard circuit symbols and how to draw and interpret circuit diagrams.
- Electric Charge and Current: Learn about electric charge, current, and the conditions required for current flow in a circuit.
Series and parallel circuits
- Series Circuits: Current, PD & Resistance: Explore current, potential difference, and resistance in series circuits. Learn how components share voltage and affect total resistance.
- Parallel Circuits: Current, PD & Resistance: Discover how current and potential difference behave in parallel circuits. Understand why adding resistors in parallel reduces total resistance.
- Series Circuits: Calculations, Design & Testing: Learn to calculate currents, potential differences, and resistances in series circuits. Explore the design and use of DC series circuits for measurement and testing.
Domestic uses and safety
- Mains Electricity: Dangers and Precautions: Understand the dangers of live wires and the importance of avoiding connections with earth. Covers why a live wire is dangerous even when a switch is open and the risks of connecting the live wire to earth.
- Three-Core Cables and Wire Identification: Explore the structure of three-core cables, the color coding of wires, and the function of each wire (live, neutral, and earth) in mains electricity.
- AC vs DC Potential Difference: Explore the characteristics of mains electricity and differentiate between direct and alternating potential difference.
Energy transfers
- Energy Transfers in Appliances: Explore how everyday appliances transfer energy and the factors that affect the amount of energy transferred.
- Electrical Work and Energy Calculations (Part 1/2): Learn about electrical work, the relationship between potential difference, current, and energy transfer, and how to use the formulas E=Pt and E=QV.
- Electrical Work and Energy Calculations (Part 2/2): Learn about electrical work, the relationship between potential difference, current, and energy transfer, and how to use the formulas E=Pt and E=QV.
- National Grid Introduction: An introduction to the National Grid and its purpose in transferring electrical power.
- Transformers and Efficiency in the National Grid: Understanding the role of step-up and step-down transformers in the National Grid and why it's an efficient energy transfer system.
- Understanding Electrical Power: Learn about the relationship between power, potential difference, and current in electrical circuits.
- Power, Current, and Resistance: Explore the equation relating power, current, and resistance, and practice applying it to circuit problems.
Static electricity (physics only)
- Introducing Electric Fields: Learn about electric fields, how they are created, and how to draw field patterns for charged spheres.
- Electric Fields and Forces: Explore how electric fields explain non-contact forces and electrostatic phenomena, including the relationship between distance and force strength.
- Producing Static Electricity: Learn how static electricity is produced and how charged objects interact.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Electricity?
Electricity covers Current, potential difference and resistance, Series and parallel circuits, Domestic uses and safety, and Energy transfers in GCSE AQA Higher Physics. 24 lessons in 5 subtopics.
What are the circuit symbols you need to know?
Key circuit symbols include the battery and cell (long and short lines), resistor (rectangle), variable resistor (rectangle with an arrow through it), open switch (gap in line), lamp (circle with an X inside), motor (circle with M) and power supply (circle with + and - signs). The Circuit Symbols and Diagrams notes cover this in full.
What is potential difference?
Potential difference (V) is the energy transferred per unit charge between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (V). The Current, Potential Difference and Resistance notes cover this in full.
What is the circuit symbol for a variable resistor?
The circuit symbol for a variable resistor is a rectangle with an arrow through it. The Circuit Symbols and Diagrams notes cover this in full.
What is Ohm's law?
Ohm's Law connects potential difference, current and resistance: V = IR. The Current, Potential Difference and Resistance notes cover this in full.
How do you calculate resistance from current and potential difference?
Resistance is calculated with R = V ÷ I, giving ohms when volts are divided by amperes. The Measuring Resistance and Ohmic Conductors notes cover this in full.
What is electric current?
Electric current is the rate of flow of electrical charge through a conductor, measured in amperes (A). The Electric Charge and Current notes cover this in full.
How do you convert milliamps to amps?
To convert milliamps to amps, divide by 1000, because a milliamp (mA) is one thousandth of an amp: 500 mA equals 0.5 A and 250 mA equals 0.25 A. The Calculating Voltage, Current, and Resistance notes cover this in full.
What is the National Grid?
The National Grid is a system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers across the country. The National Grid Introduction notes cover this in full.