a semiconducting component with a resistance that gets lower in increasingly bright light

a material that has both metallic and non-metallic properties

a semiconducting component with a resistance that gets lower in increasingly high temperatures

a series circuit that divides the p.d. across a power supply into two or more smaller voltages

LDRs and thermistors

Combined science

Measuring the resistance of a filament lamp

Resistance of a hot metal

Measuring the resistance of a diode

Interpreting I–V graphs

Potential divider circuits

In the Mains electricity unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the dangers of mains electricity, how to use mains electricity safely, the equations I=Q/t, V=E/Q and P=IV, and about the transmission of power in the national grid, including transformers.

In the Electric fields and circuit calculations unit, pupils learnt about the properties of electric fields, moving electric charge, and how to analyse series and parallel electrical circuits.

This unit explores current, resistance, and potential difference. It covers circuit design for lamps, diodes, and thermistors, and emphasises planning experiments, data interpretation, and presenting scientific conclusions.

Circuit components

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Which of these components is sensitive to light?

Which of these components is sensitive to temperature?

it reacts to different strengths of magnetic field

it reacts to different brightnesses of light

What do the arrows in the circuit symbol represent?

What is the p.d. across the 10 Ω resistor?

Which of these components only allows current to flow in one direction?

Increasing the resistance of the resistor increases the p.d across it.

Increasing the resistance of the resistor increases the p.d across the lamp.

Decreasing the resistance of the resistor increases the p.d across it.

Decreasing the resistance of the resistor increases the p.d across the lamp.

Which statement is correct about this circuit?

What happens to the current in the circuit when the resistance of the variable resistor is increased?

Which of these components has to get hot to work effectively?

the resistance is a quarter if the original

What happens to the resistance of a length of fine wire in a circuit if it is removed, folded in two and then reconnected in the circuit?

Starter Quiz