Component graphs

LO: To recognise graphs for fixed

resistors, diodes and bulbs
Why does the resistance of a bulb
Key words
vary with voltage?
Current
I-V graph for a filament bulb Potential
5
4
difference
Resister
Current (A)

Ohmic
2
1

-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5

0
-1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 Non-ohmic
-2 Voltage (V) Diode
-3
-4
-5
LO: To investigate I, V and R for
diodes and bulbs

Explain how resistance occurs

Describe resistance for a wire,

resistor, diode and bulb
Sketch I-V graphs for a wire, resistor,
diode and bulb
Explain the shape of each graph using
kinetic theory
The resistance of a wire depends on several factors:

Material - copper’s resistance is

low

Thickness - thicker wires have lower

resistance

Length - longer wires have more

resistance

Temperature – hotter wires are more

resistant
At the same voltage, a
copper wire allows a copper
larger current than a

current (A)
nichrome wire of the
same size.
nichrome
This means that the
copper wire has a lower
voltage (V)
resistance than the
nichrome wire. What does The steeper the gradient
the gradient tell you of a current-voltage
about resistance? graph, the lower the
resistance of the wire.
 I-V graph for a filament bulb
5

3
Current (A)

0
-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
-1 Voltage (V)
-2

-3

-4

-5
Voltage Current
/V /mA I-V graph for a diode
-1.00 700

Current (A)
-0.50
600

0.00 500

0.30 400

0.50 300

0.66 200

0.68 100

0.70 -1.5 -1 -0.5

0
0 0.5 1

0.72
Voltage(V)
0.74
0.76
0.77
0.80
Voltage Current
/V /mA I-V graph for a diode
-1.00 0.0 700

Current (A)
-0.50 0.0
600

0.00 0.0 500

0.30 0.0 400

0.50 0.0 300

0.66 11.6 200

0.68 21.3 100

0.70 35.0 -1.5 -1 -0.5

0
0 0.5 1

0.72 59.0
Voltage(V)
0.74 87.0
0.76 170.3
0.77 240.0
0.80 600.0
 I-V graph for a diode

Current (A)
700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1

Voltage(V)
 I-V graph for a diode

Current (A)
700

How should 600

you describe 500

and explain
this graph?
400

300

200

100

0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1

Voltage(V)
Diode I-V graph (forward direction)
As the voltage increases, the current
increases, however, it is NOT directly
proportional.
A diode’s resistance will decrease as
we increase the applied potential
difference.
At a certain voltage, current will begin
to flow because diodes are semi- In the reverse
conductors so the electrons need a direction:
minimum energy in order to become The diode does
not conduct –
delocalised from the atoms and start
resistance is
flowing through the material. infinite.
LO: To investigate I, V and R for
diodes and bulbs

Explain how resistance occurs

Describe resistance for a wire,

resistor, diode and bulb
Sketch I-V graphs for a wire, resistor,
diode and bulb
Explain the shape of each graph using
kinetic theory
PN Junction - YouTube
Design and test model lighting circuits as follows, using torch lamps, cells and switches. For each
circuit, draw the circuit diagram and describe how you tested that it worked successfully.

Circuit 1 Room lights: Normal room lights can be switched on or off independently. Design and
test a model lighting circuit with a single cell that enables two torch lamps to be switched on and
off independently.

Circuit 2 Emergency lights: An emergency light is always on. Design and test a model lighting
circuit with a single cell in which a torch lamp (the emergency light) is always on and another
identical lamp can be switched on or off.

Circuit 3 Theatre lights: Theatre lights sometimes need to be switched on (or off) all at once.
Design and test a model lighting circuit using a single cell that enables two torch lamps to be
switched on and off using a single switch.

Circuit 4 Tree lights: Design and test a model lighting circuit in which two torch lamps go off if
either lamp ‘fails’ (or is disconnected) and which can be switched on and off using a single switch.

Extension activity Staircase lights: Make and test a model lighting circuit that enables a torch
lamp to be switched on or off using either of two ‘two-way’ switches.