Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits

Students should: Maths skills

10.1 Describe the structure of the atom, limited to the position, 5b

mass and charge of protons, neutrons and electrons

10.2 Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with 5b
the conventions of positive and negative terminals, and the
symbols that represent cells, including batteries, switches,
voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, variable resistors, lamps,
motors, diodes, thermistors, LDRs and LEDs

10.3 Describe the differences between series and parallel circuits

10.4 Recall that a voltmeter is connected in parallel with a

component to measure the potential difference (voltage), in
volt, across it

10.5 Explain that potential difference (voltage) is the energy 1a, 1c

transferred per unit charge passed and hence that the volt is a
3c
joule per coulomb

10.6 Recall and use the equation: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

energy transferred (joule, J) = charge moved (coulomb, C) × 2a

potential difference (volt, V)
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
E Q V
10.7 Recall that an ammeter is connected in series with a
component to measure the current, in amp, in the component

10.8 Explain that an electric current as the rate of flow of charge

and the current in metals is a flow of electrons

10.9 Recall and use the equation: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

charge (coulomb, C) = current (ampere, A) × time (second, s) 2a

Q I t 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d

10.10 Describe that when a closed circuit includes a source of

potential difference there will be a current in the circuit

10.11 Recall that current is conserved at a junction in a circuit

10.12 Explain how changing the resistance in a circuit changes the

current and how this can be achieved using a variable resistor

10.13 Recall and use the equation: 1a, 1d

potential difference (volt, V) = current (ampere, A) × 2a

resistance (ohm, )
3a, 3c, 3d
V I R
10.14 Explain why, if two resistors are in series, the net resistance is
increased, whereas with two in parallel the net resistance is
decreased

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 Students should: Maths skills

10.15 Calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in 1a, 1d

series circuits
2a

3a, 3c, 3d

10.16 Explain the design and construction of series circuits for

testing and measuring

10.17 Core Practical: Construct electrical circuits to: 1a, 1c, 1d

a investigate the relationship between potential difference, 2a, 2b, 2f

current and resistance for a resistor and a filament lamp
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
b test series and parallel circuits using resistors and filament
4a, 4b, 4c, 4d,
lamps
4e

10.18 Explain how current varies with potential difference for the 2g
following devices and how this relates to resistance
4a, 4b, 4c, 4d,
a filament lamps 4e
b diodes

c fixed resistors

10.19 Describe how the resistance of a light-dependent resistor 4c, 4d

(LDR) varies with light intensity

10.20 Describe how the resistance of a thermistor varies with change 4c, 4d
of temperature (negative temperature coefficient thermistors
only)

10.21 Explain how the design and use of circuits can be used to 5b
explore the variation of resistance in the following devices

a filament lamps

b diodes

c thermistors

d LDRs

10.22 Recall that, when there is an electric current in a resistor,

there is an energy transfer which heats the resistor

10.23 Explain that electrical energy is dissipated as thermal energy

in the surroundings when an electrical current does work
against electrical resistance

10.24 Explain the energy transfer (in 10.22 above) as the result of
collisions between electrons and the ions in the lattice

10.25 Explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer through

low resistance wires

10.26 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the heating

effect of an electric current

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Students should: Maths skills

10.27 Use the equation: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

energy transferred (joule, J) = current (ampere, A) × potential 2a

difference (volt, V) × time (second, s)
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
E I V t
10.28 Describe power as the energy transferred per second and 1c
recall that it is measured in watt

10.29 Recall and use the equation: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

power (watt, W) = energy transferred (joule, J) ÷ time taken 2a

(second, s)
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
E
P
t

10.30 Explain how the power transfer in any circuit device is related 1a, 1c, 1d
to the potential difference across it and the current in it
2a

3a, 3b, 3c, 3d

10.31 Recall and use the equations: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

electrical power (watt, W) = current (ampere, A) × potential 2a

difference (volt, V)
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
P I V
electrical power (watt, W) = current squared (ampere2, A2) ×
resis

P I2 R
10.32 Describe how, in different domestic devices, energy is
transferred from batteries and the a.c. mains to the energy of
motors and heating devices

10.33 Explain the difference between direct and alternating voltage 4c

10.34 Describe direct current (d.c.) as movement of charge in one

direction only and recall that cells and batteries supply direct
current (d.c.)

10.35 Describe that in alternating current (a.c.) the movement of

charge changes direction

10.36 Recall that in the UK the domestic supply is a.c., at a

frequency of 50 Hz and a voltage of about 230 V

10.37 Explain the difference in function between the live and the
neutral mains input wires

10.38 Explain the function of an earth wire and of fuses or circuit

breakers in ensuring safety

10.39 Explain why switches and fuses should be connected in the live
wire of a domestic circuit

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 Students should: Maths skills

10.40 Recall the potential differences between the live, neutral and
earth mains wires

10.41 Explain the dangers of providing any connection between the

live wire and earth

10.42 Describe, with examples, the relationship between the power 1c

ratings for domestic electrical appliances and the changes in
2c
stored energy when they are in use

Use of mathematics
Make calculations using ratios and proportional reasoning to convert units and to compute
rates (1c, 3c).
Apply the equations relating p.d., current, quantity of charge, resistance, power, energy,
and time, and solve problems for circuits which include resistors in series, using the
concept of equivalent resistance (1c, 3b, 3c, 3d).
Use graphs to explore whether circuit elements are linear or non-linear and relate the
curves produced to their function and properties (4c, 4d).
Make calculations of the energy changes associated with changes in a system, recalling or
selecting the relevant equations for mechanical, electrical, and thermal processes; thereby
express in quantitative form and on a common scale the overall redistribution of energy in
the system (1a, 1c, 3c).

Suggested practicals
Investigate the power consumption of low-voltage electrical items.

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Topic 11 – Static electricity

Students should: Maths skills

11.1P Explain how an insulator can be charged by friction, through

the transfer of electrons

11.2P Explain how the material gaining electrons becomes negatively

charged and the material losing electrons is left with an equal
positive charge

11.3P Recall that like charges repel and unlike charges attract

11.4P Explain common electrostatic phenomena in terms of

movement of electrons, including

a shocks from everyday objects

b lightning

c attraction by induction such as a charged balloon attracted

to a wall and a charged comb picking up small pieces of
paper

11.5P Explain how earthing removes excess charge by movement of

electrons

11.6P Explain some of the uses of electrostatic charges in everyday

situations, including insecticide sprayers

11.7P Describe some of the dangers of sparking in everyday

situations, including fuelling cars, and explain the use of
earthing to prevent dangerous build-up of charge

11.8P Define an electric field as the region where an electric charge

experiences a force

11.9P Describe the shape and direction of the electric field around a 5b
point charge and between parallel plates and relate the
strength of the field to the concentration of lines

11.10P Explain how the concept of an electric field helps to explain the
phenomena of static electricity

Suggested practicals
Investigate the forces of attraction and repulsion between charged objects.

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