GCSE Physics: Electric circuits

Current, potential difference, resistance and Ohm's law.

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What is electric current?
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The rate of flow of electric charge around a circuit.
What unit is electric current measured in?
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Amperes (amps).
How is an ammeter connected in a circuit?
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In series, so that the same current flows through it as through the component being measured.
What is potential difference?
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The energy transferred per unit of charge between two points in a circuit.
How is a voltmeter connected in a circuit?
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In parallel across the component.
Resistance is measured in ?.
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ohms
What is Ohm's law?
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V = I × R (potential difference equals current multiplied by resistance).
What happens to total resistance when components are connected in series?
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Their resistances add together to give a larger total resistance.
What happens to total resistance when more parallel branches are added to a circuit?
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The total resistance decreases because there are more paths for the current to take.
What is the same for all components in a series circuit?
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The current.
What does each component receive in a parallel circuit?
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The full potential difference of the supply.

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