1

AQA Physics (Combined) Unit 2 Electricity Foundation

a c e
Draw the symbol diagrams for: A charge of 12A flows through an electric cooker Complete the table.
cell resistor for 1 hour. How much charge has been used?
 Potential Difference Shared
Type of Circuit Current Same or Split?
or the Same?

Series
State the equation that links current, potential
battery variable resistor difference and resistance. Remember to include units.
Parallel


For the circuit below, calculate the total resistance.

A voltmeter reading is 3V and the resistance is 2Ω.

lamp (bulb) ammeter
What is the current?



fuse voltmeter d
Use the components stated below to identify the
potential difference/current graphs:

filament lamp, diode, ohmic conductor On the diagram, draw where a voltmeter could be positioned to measure the voltage through one of the
LED diode components.

f h
Complete the following sentences. Label the diagram of the 3 pin plug.
For a thermistor: as the temperature increases, the
LDR thermistor resistance
Used in:

For an LDR: as the light intensity increases, the

resistance
b
What is electric current? Used in:
 What is the purpose of:

g the neutral wire?

State the equation that links charge, current and time. State the 2 different types of electricity supply. 
 1.  
2.  the live wire?
Write the symbols and units for the following:

charge: 

current:  the earth wire?

time: 

 2
AQA Physics (Combined) Unit 2 Electricity Foundation
a d f
Complete the energy transfers for the following State the equation that links power, current and Label the national grid diagram.
electrical appliances. potential difference.

mains-powered kettle:
A 2.4kW kettle is connected to the mains power
electrical t +s supply (230V). Calculate the current through the
kettle.
hairdryer:
Remember 1000W = 1kW
e k +t +s
You will need to rearrange your equation above.
toaster

+ Give two examples of when the demand for electricity is likely to be high.

1. 

b 2. 
What is the equation linking energy transferred, 
power and time? 

g h
Why is energy transferred at such high voltage in Describe an experiment to show how the length of
what are the units for: cables? a wire affects its resistance.
 Equipment: metre ruler, ammeter, voltmeter, cell,
energy?  switch.

 Hint: it may help to draw a diagram of how to set up

power?
 the apparatus.
time?
Describe how the following work:

c e
Most devices have a power rating. Describe the True or false: step-up transformer.
relationship between the power rating and the • The current in a circuit can be altered by a

changes in stored energy when a device is used. variable resistor.
 step-down transformer.
• A voltmeter is connected in parallel with a
 
component.
 
 • An ammeter is connected in parallel with a 
component. 





 1
AQA Physics (Combined) Unit 2 Electricity Foundation Answers
a c e
Draw the symbol diagrams for: A charge of 12A flows through an electric cooker Complete the table.
cell resistor for 1 hour. How much charge has been used?
Convert hours to minutes: 60 mins Potential Difference Shared
Type of Circuit Current Same or Split?
12 × 60 = 720C or the Same?

Series shared same

State the equation that links current, potential
battery variable resistor difference and resistance. Remember to include units.
potential difference (V) = current (A) × resistance Parallel same split between branches
(Ω)
For the circuit below, calculate the total resistance.
A voltmeter reading is 3V and the resistance is 2Ω. 9Ω
lamp (bulb) ammeter What is the current?
current = potential difference ÷ resistance
3 ÷ 2 = 1.5A

fuse voltmeter d
Use the components stated below to identify the
potential difference/current graphs:

filament lamp, diode, ohmic conductor On the diagram, draw where a voltmeter could be positioned to measure the voltage through one of the
LED diode components.

f h
Complete the following sentences. Label the diagram of the 3 pin plug.
diode For a thermistor: as the temperature increases, the
resistance decreases Earth
LDR thermistor
Used in: thermostats Fuse

Cable grip
For an LDR: as the light intensity increases, the
resistance decreases
b
What is electric current? Used in: street lights Live
filament lamp Neutral
The flow of electrical charge.

g What is the purpose of:

State the equation that links charge, current and time. State the 2 different types of electricity supply.
charge = current × time the neutral wire?
1. alternating current It completes the circuit and carries away the current.
Write the symbols and units for the following:
2. direct current
charge: (Q) coulombs, C the live wire?
It provides alternating potential difference.
current: (I) amperes, A
ohmic conductor
time: (t) seconds, s the earth wire?
It is a safety feature to prevent the application from
becoming live.
 2
AQA Physics (Combined) Unit 2 Electricity Foundation Answers
a d f
Complete the energy transfers for the following State the equation that links power, current and Label the national grid diagram.
electrical appliances. potential difference.
pylon
power (W) = potential difference (V) × current (A)
mains-powered kettle:
A 2.4kW kettle is connected to the mains power
electrical thermal + sound supply (230V). Calculate the current through the
kettle.
hairdryer:
Remember 1000W = 1kW
electrical kinetic + thermal + sound power station step-up step-down
You will need to rearrange your equation above. transformer transformer
toaster
2.4 × 1000 = 2400
electrical thermal + light Give two examples of when the demand for electricity is likely to be high.
Current = power ÷ potential difference
1. At half-time or the end of large sporting events.
= 2400 ÷ 230
What is the equation linking energy transferred,
b = 10.43A 2. First thing in the morning when people are getting up, or later when arriving home.
power and time?
energy transferred = power × time
g h
Why is energy transferred at such high voltage in Describe an experiment to show how the length of
what are the units for: cables? a wire affects its resistance.
High voltage means that the energy is transferred Equipment: metre ruler, ammeter, voltmeter, cell,
energy? joules at low currents. This results in less resistance, switch.
therefore less energy is lost as heat, so the
power? watts transmission is more efficient. Hint: it may help to draw a diagram of how to set up
the apparatus.
time? seconds Describe how the following work:

step-up transformer.
c e
Most devices have a power rating. Describe the True or false:
Potential difference is increased.
relationship between the power rating and the • The current in a circuit can be altered by a
changes in stored energy when a device is used. variable resistor. True
step-down transformer.
A device with a higher power rating will transfer
stored energy to other types of energy at a faster • A voltmeter is connected in parallel with a Potential difference is decreased.
rate. component. True

• An ammeter is connected in parallel with a Set up the apparatus as shown.

component. False Attach the first crocodile clip at 0cm.
Attach the second crocodile clip at 10cm.
Record the potential difference and the current.
Connect the second crocodile clip at different
lengths (20cm, 30cm) and repeat the process.
Use the results to calculate resistance at different
lengths, using the formula:
resistance = potential difference ÷ current