Electricity in AQA GCSE Physics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary found in the lecture notes for AQA GCSE Physics on Electricity.

Electrical Charge

The flow of charge through a closed circuit must include a source of potential difference.

Current

The flow of electrical charge, measured in amperes (A). Greater charge flow results in greater current.

Potential Difference (V)

The difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (V).

Resistance (R)

The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).

Ohmic Conductor

A conductor where the current is directly proportional to the potential difference, resulting in a linear graph.

Thermistor

A type of resistor whose resistance decreases as temperature increases, commonly used in temperature sensing.

LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)

A resistor that decreases in resistance with increased light intensity, often used in automatic lighting.

Series Circuit

A closed circuit where the current flows along a single path and is the same at all points.

Parallel Circuit

A branched circuit where the total current splits into multiple paths but the potential difference remains the same across each branch.

AC (Alternating Current)

An electric current that periodically reverses direction, typically coming from mains electricity.

DC (Direct Current)

An electric current that flows in one direction only, provided by cells and batteries.

Power (P)

The rate at which energy is transferred or converted, measured in watts (W).

Energy Transfer

The conversion of energy from one form to another in electrical devices, such as from electrical to kinetic energy.

National Grid

A system of cables and transformers that transports electricity from power stations to consumers.

Electrostatic Force

The force of attraction or repulsion between charged objects, which is stronger when charges are closer together.

Electric Field

A region around a charged object where a force would be experienced by other charged objects.