Whole Topic Checklist

•  Draw and interpret circuit diagrams, including all common circuit symbols
•  Define electric current as the rate of flow of electrical charge around a closed circuit
•  Calculate charge and current by recalling and applying the formula: [ Q = It ]
•  Explain that current is caused by a source of potential difference and it has the same value at any point in a single closed loop of a circuit
•  Describe and apply the idea that the greater the resistance of a component, the smaller the current for a given potential difference (p.d.) across the component
•  Calculate current, potential difference or resistance by recalling and applying the equation: [ V = IR ]
•  Required practical 3: Use circuit diagrams to set up and check circuits to investigate the factors affecting the resistance of electrical circuits
•  Define an ohmic conductor
•  Explain the resistance of components such as lamps, diodes, thermistors and LDRs and sketch/interpret IV graphs of their characteristic electrical behaviour
•  Explain how to measure the resistance of a component by drawing an appropriate circuit diagram using correct circuit symbols
•  Required practical 4: use circuit diagrams to construct appropriate circuits to investigate the I–V characteristics of a variety of circuit elements
•  Show by calculation and explanation that components in series have the same current passing through them
•  Show by calculation and explanation that components connected in parallel have the same the potential difference across each of them
•  Calculate the total resistance of two components in series as the sum of the resistance of each component using the equation: [ R total = R1 + R2 ]
•  Explain qualitatively why adding resistors in series increases the total resistance whilst adding resistors in parallel decreases the total resistance
•  Solve problems for circuits which include resistors in series using the concept of equivalent resistance
•  Explain the difference between direct and alternating voltage and current, stating what UK mains is
•  Identify and describe the function of each wire in a three-core cable connected to the mains
•  State that the potential difference between the live wire and earth (0 V) is about 230 V and that both neutral wires and our bodies are at, or close to, earth potential (0 V)
•  Explain that a live wire may be dangerous even when a switch in the mains circuit is open by explaining the danger of providing any connection between the live wire and earth
•   Explain how the power transfer in any circuit device is related to the potential difference across it and the current through it
•  Calculate power by recalling and applying the equations: [ P = VI ] and [ P = I2 R ]
•  Describe how appliances transfer energy to the kinetic energy of motors or the thermal energy of heating devices
•  Calculate and explain the amount of energy transferred by electrical work by recalling and applying the equations: [ E = Pt ] and [ E = QV ]
•  Explain how the power of a circuit device is related to the potential difference across it, the current through it and the energy transferred over a given time.
•  Describe, with examples, the relationship between the power ratings for domestic electrical appliances and the changes in stored energy when they are in use
•  Identify the National Grid as a system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers
•  Explain why the National Grid system is an efficient way to transfer energy, with reference to change in potential difference reducing current
•  PHY ONLY: Describe the production of static electricity by the rubbing of insulating surfaces
•  PHY ONLY: Describe evidence that charged objects exert forces of attraction or repulsion on one another when not in contact
•  PHY ONLY: Explain how the transfer of electrons between objects can explain the phenomenon of static electricity, including how insulators are charged and sparks are created
•  PHY ONLY: Draw the electric field pattern for an isolated charged sphere
•  PHY ONLY: Explain the concept of an electric field and the decrease in its strength as the distance from it increases

 PHY ONLY: Explain how the concept of an electric field helps to Explain the non-contact force between charged objects as well as other electrostatic phenomena such as sparking

Quizzes