What this topic covers
Topic 10: Electricity and circuits has 4 subtopics:
- Charge, current and potential difference
- Resistance and circuit behaviour
- Mains electricity and safety
- Power, energy transfer and appliances
← Back to topics
GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Physics · Topic 9 of 13
Topic 10: Electricity and circuits – GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Charge, circuits, resistance, power and mains safety. 22 lessons in 4 subtopics.
Revise Topic 10: Electricity and circuits for GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Physics, including Charge, current and potential difference.
22
Lessons
4
Subtopics
Topic 10: Electricity and circuits lessons by subtopic
22 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Charge, current and potential difference
- Circuit Symbols and Diagrams
- Electric Charge and Current
- The Charge Flow Equation
- Current, Potential Difference and Resistance
- Resistors in Series and Parallel
- Calculating Voltage, Current, and Resistance
- Measuring Resistance and Ohmic Conductors
- Non-Ohmic Components: Lamps and Diodes
- Thermistors, LDRs, and Non-Linearity
- Atomic structure needed for charge in circuits
Resistance and circuit behaviour
- Series Circuits: Current, PD & Resistance
- Parallel Circuits: Current, PD & Resistance
- Series Circuits: Calculations, Design & Testing
- Core practical: current, potential difference and resistance
Mains electricity and safety
- AC vs DC Potential Difference
- Mains Electricity: Dangers and Precautions
- Three-Core Cables and Wire Identification
Power, energy transfer and appliances
Revise Right Mocks '26
Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics mock draft, 26–31 Oct. Draft coverage: Combined Science Physics Paper 1 (Higher tier). Reviewed for an original-practice sitting; check student availability before registering. Marking and results will follow later, after separate approval. Eligible new accounts receive a five-day Pro trial when signup email verification completes. Previous trials keep their original expiry. After expiry, new papers need Pro unless you have an explicitly confirmed free sitting offer for this event. That offer adds no Pro time or AI learning. Saved attempts and released results remain readable. No card or automatic charge.
More in this course
Go back to the full GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Physics topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 10: Electricity and circuits?
Charge, circuits, resistance, power and mains safety. 22 lessons in 4 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.
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 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.
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 circuit symbol for a battery?
The circuit symbol for a battery is two parallel lines: one long line for the positive terminal and one short line for the negative terminal. The Circuit Symbols and Diagrams notes cover this in full.