Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits

10.1 Describe the structure of the atom, limited to the position, mass and charge of protons, neutrons and electrons 

10.2 Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with 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 transferred per unit charge passed and hence that the volt is a joule per coulomb 

10.6 Recall and use the equation:  energy transferred (joule, J) = charge moved (coulomb, C) × potential difference (volt, V)  V QE × = 

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:  charge (coulomb, C) = current (ampere, A) × time (second, s)  t IQ × = 

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:  potential difference (volt, V) = current (ampere, A) × resistance (ohm, Ω)  R IV × = 

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 

10.15 Calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series circuits 

10.16 Explain…