Sign up free →
Access this resource with a paid plan
This resource is included with eligible paid plans.
See plans for full-library accessAbout this resource
A fast, self-marking GCSE Physics quick-burst on the Electricity topic: meters and symbols, charge, Ohm's law, resistance, power and mains. Print or play.
- Access
- Locked — access required
- Assessment
- Not included
- Format
- Activity Book
- Subject
- Physics
- Level
- Key stage 4
- Typical time
- 10 minutes
- Length
- 5 pages
Inside GCSE Physics: Electricity — Quick Burst Practice
name the meters and symbols, then calculate charge Q = I × t, potential difference V = I × R (and rearrange it), add resistors in series and identify components, work out power P = V × I and P = I² × R with energy E = P × t, and finish with mains electricity and the National Grid. Fast, clean numbers. About 10 minutes.
Learning objectives
- meters and symbols — the ammeter (in series) and voltmeter (in parallel), and the rule that current is the same everywhere in a series circuit;
- charge and Ohm’s law — Q = I × t and V = I × R, rearranged to find current, with clean values;
- resistance and components — resistors in series (add), the diode, and the LDR and thermistor;
- power and energy — P = V × I, P = I² × R and E = P × t in watts and joules;
- mains electricity — a.c. at about 230 V and 50 Hz, the plug wires, and the National Grid’s transformers.
Activities in this book
Round 1 — Meters & Symbols
quick recall: an ammeter (a circle with the letter A) measures current and goes in series; a voltmeter (a circle with the letter V) measures potential difference and goes in parallel. In a series circuit the current is the same everywhere.
Round 2 — Charge & Ohm’s Law
Q = I × t (charge in coulombs, current in amps, time in seconds). Ohm’s law is V = I × R; rearrange to I = V ÷ R. Put the numbers in before you calculate.
Round 3 — Resistance & Components
resistors in series add up (R_total = R₁ + R₂). A diode conducts one way only. A thermistor’s resistance falls as it gets hotter; an LDR’s resistance falls in brighter light.
Round 4 — Power & Energy
electrical power P = V × I, and also P = I² × R. Energy transferred E = P × t. Power is in watts (W), energy in joules (J).
Round 5 — Mains & the Grid
UK mains is alternating current (a.c.) at about 230 V and 50 Hz. In a three-pin plug the earth wire is green-and-yellow. The National Grid uses transformers to change the voltage.
Suggestions for teaching
- Keep it fast. This is a timed-feel recall drill — aim for about 10 minutes and speed, not long working.
- Numbers in first. For Q = It, V = IR and P = VI, insist learners substitute the values before calculating.
- Square first for P = I²R. Remind learners to square the current before multiplying by the resistance.
- Units matter. Charge in coulombs, potential difference in volts, power in watts, energy in joules.
What you’ll learn
Use this Activity Book to practise and consolidate Physics knowledge and skills at Key stage 4. Return to it as often as your access allows to build confidence and fluency.
Resource preview
A fast, self-marking GCSE Physics quick-burst on the Electricity topic: meters and symbols, charge, Ohm's law, resistance, power and mains. Print or play.
This preview uses the public resource summary only. The activity and any files remain protected until access is granted.
