Electricity

• Electric current

  The flow of electrical charge
• Current is the same at all points in a closed loop
• Factors current in a circuit depends on

  1. Potential Difference (V)

  2. Resistance (R)
• Ohmic Conductor

  A conductor for which current and potential difference are directly proportional

  Resistance remains constant as current changes

  Temperature must be constant
• Components with non-constant resistance

  • Lamps

  Diodes

  Thermistors

  Light Dependant Resistors (LDRs)
• Resistance of a filament lamp as temperature increases

  Resistance increases

  Ions in metal have more energy, so vibrate more, causing more collisions with electrons as they flow through the metal, creating greater resistance to current flow
• Current flow through a diode

  The current only flows in one direction

  Resistance is very high in the other direction, preventing current flow
• Resistance of a thermistor as temperature increases

  The thermistor's resistance decreases
• Uses of a thermistor

  • In a thermostat to turn a heater on below a certain temperature

  In a freezer to turn on a cooler when the temperature becomes too high
• Resistance of a LDR as light intensity decreases

  The LDR's resistance increases
• Application of a LDR

  • Street lights often use LDRs

  When light levels become too low, the light gains sufficient current to turn on
• Series

  Same loop
• Parallel

  Adjacent loop
• How the potential difference across two components varies when connected in series and parallel

  1. Series: Total P.D is shared between each component

  2. Parallel: P.D across each component is the same
• Total resistance of two resistors connected in parallel


  Less than the smallest of the two individual resistances
• Total resistance of two resistors connected in series

  Equal to the sum of the two individual resistances
• Current in a series circuit

  • The same at all positions since the charge only has one path to flow through
• Current in a parallel circuit


  • Shared between the different branches, when the charge reaches a junction it splits
• How to connect an ammeter in a circuit to measure current

  Ammeters should be connected in series with the component that they are measuring current through
• How to connect a voltmeter in a circuit to measure potential difference

  Voltmeters should be connected in parallel to the component that they are measuring the potential difference of
• Connecting lamps in parallel

  If one lamp blows, the rest will be unaffected and can still receive current (i.e. the circuit is still complete)
• Mains electricity

  a.c supply
• a.c.

  Alternating Current
• d.c.

  Direct Current
• Alternating current

  Current that continuously changes direction at a specific frequency
• Direct current

  One directional current flow
• The frequency of the UK mains electricity supply is 50 Hz
• The voltage of the UK mains electricity supply is 230V
• Wires in cables connecting electrical appliances to the mains

  • Live wire
  • Neutral wire
  • Earth wire
• Earth wire insulation colour

  Green and Yellow Stripes
• When the Earth wire carries a current


  1. Under normal circumstances, no current flows through the Earth wire

  2. If a fault occurs in the appliance (such as a surge or the casing becoming live), current will flow to the ground
• The neutral wire is at 0 Volts
• The potential difference between the live and earth wires is 230 Volts
• Purpose of the neutral wire

  To complete the circuit by connecting the appliance back to the mains supply
• Where the Earth wire is connected for metal appliances

  1. Earth wire is connected to the metal casing of the appliance

  2. If live wire becomes loose and touches the casing, the current will flow through the Earth wire, preventing electrocution
• Amount of energy transferred by an appliance depends on

  • How long the appliance is being used for
  • The power of the appliance
• Describe the energy transfers in a battery powered torch


  1. Battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy

  2. Bulb converts electrical energy into light as well as waste energy in the form of heating
• Describe the energy transfers in a battery powered motor

  1. Battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy

  2. Motor converts electrical energy into kinetic energy as well as waste energy in the form of heating due to friction
• What three things determine the power of a circuit device

  • The potential difference across the circuit
  • The current through the circuit
  • The amount of energy transferred in a given time
• National Grid


  To link power stations to consumers so that they have access to a source of electricity