GCSE Physics equations practice
Select a relationship from the equation sheet, rearrange it and calculate with the right units.
GCSE Physics electricity questions
Use current, charge, potential difference and resistance in series circuits and parallel branches.
Practise
Current and chargeA steady current of 0.1 A flows for 7 min. Find the charge passing a point in the circuit. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
Ideal DC supply, wires and meters. Resistors have constant resistance; heating does not change their values.
Treat the given values as exact unless an uncertainty is stated.
Hint
Convert minutes to seconds, then Q = It.
Worked solution
- t = 7 × 60 s.
- Q = 0.1 × 420 C.
- Answer: 42.0 C (3 significant figures).
Question type: Mixed practice
Report a problem
Read a series or parallel circuit before calculating
Two resistors, 4 Ω and 8 Ω, are in series across 6 V. Total resistance is 12 Ω, so current is 0.50 A. Potential differences are 2.0 V and 4.0 V. In parallel across 6 V, each would have 6 V across it and branch currents would be 1.5 A and 0.75 A.
Series components share current; parallel branches share potential difference. Use the voltage and resistance of the same component or branch in V = IR. A minute contains 60 seconds when calculating charge from Q = It.
Foundation and Higher: this set covers content common to both tiers. Some calculations need several steps.
Current and potential difference
Series resistances add. Each parallel branch has the supply potential difference, and branch currents add to the supply current. Use V = IR for the branch you are asked about. Convert minutes to seconds for Q = It. Electrical energy is QV; power can be found from VI after calculating current. This set excludes reciprocal parallel-resistance calculations and internal resistance.
Work through the practical method and sample results
GCSE scope
AQA 8463: 4.2.1.3–4; 4.2.2; 4.2.4.1–2; OCR Gateway J249: P3.2; PM3.2i–iv. Tasks cover the selected skills listed above.