GCSE

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, RESISTANCE AND CURRENT

The potential difference (or voltage) is a measure of how much energy the charged particles
in a circuit have per unit charge. It is also related to current and resistance.

V = IR

1. Write down the equation using words rather than symbols and name the units that
each of the three variables in the equation are measured in.

2. Ammeters are connected in series because they measure the current flowing through
the circuit. Explain why voltmeters are connected in parallel.

3. i) Rearrange the equation to make I the subject, then ii) rearrange to make R the
subject.

i) ii)

4. Calculate the potential difference across:

a. A 4.0 Ω resistor with 2.5 A through it

b. A 7.5 Ω bulb with 0.20 A through it

c. A 1.4 kΩ resistor with 2.9 mA through it

5. Fill in the table with the missing values.

Voltage (V) Current (A) Resistance (Ω) Calculations

12 0.40

230 4600

9.0 0.30

1.5 0.30

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6. Mains electricity in your house has a potential difference of 230 V. A hairdryer, with a
resistance of 46 Ω, is plugged in.

a. Calculate the current flowing through the hairdryer

A hair straightener is plugged into the same mains supply which causes
a current of 2.3 A to flow.

b. Calculate the electrical resistance of the hair straighteners

7. A scientist builds a simple series circuit made of a 9.0 V battery and two resistors, R1
and R2. R1 has a resistance equal to the hairdryer and R2 has a resistance equal to the
hair straighteners from the previous question.

a. Draw the circuit and add one ammeter and two voltmeters in appropriate
places

b. Calculate the current flowing through both R1 and R2

c. Calculate the potential difference across R1 and potential difference

across R2

8. A large lithium-ion battery holds 2.1 kC of charge. When connected in series to a 300 Ω
resistor, the battery transfers all of its charge in exactly one day.

Calculate the potential difference across the battery

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