Current, Resistance & Potential Difference (OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway)) : Revision Note

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Katie M

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Current, Resistance & Potential Difference

Potential Difference

  • The terminals of a cell make one end of the circuit positive and the other negative

  • This sets up a potential difference across the circuit

    • This is sometimes known as the voltage

  • Potential difference is defined as:

    The amount of energy transferred per unit of charge passing through the terminals

  • This means that one volt (the unit of potential difference) is equivalent to one joule (the unit of energy) per coulomb (the unit of charge):

1 V = 1 J / C

Measuring Potential Difference

  • Potential difference (or voltage) is measured using a voltmeter

  • A voltmeter is always set up in parallel to the component being measured

    • This is described as measuring voltage 'across' the component

Voltmeter in a circuit, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Potential difference (voltage) can be measured by connecting a voltmeter in parallel between two points in a circuit. Here, the voltmeter is measuring the voltage across the resistor

Current & Potential Difference

  • Current and potential difference are directly proportional to each other

  • When there is more current then that current has more potential difference

    • There are more electrons with potential difference moving around the circuit

Resistance

  • Resistance is defined as the opposition to current:

    • The higher the resistance of a circuit, the lower the current

    • This means that good conductors have a low resistance and insulators have a high resistance

  • The symbol for resistance is R

  • It is measured in Ohms (Ω)

    • Ω is the Greek capital letter ‘Omega’

    • An Ohm is defined as one volt per ampere (1 V / A)

  • The resistance of a circuit can be increased by adding resistors (or variable resistors) to it

    • In exam questions, the resistance of the wires and batteries are assumed to be negligible. Every electrical component has a resistance, even wires

Resistance & Current

Resistance & Current, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

High resistance means there is lower current and vice versa

  • The current I through a component depends on both the resistance R of the component and the potential difference V across the component

    • The greater the resistance R of the component, the lower the current I for a given potential difference V across the component

    • The lower the resistance R of the component, the greater the current I for a given potential difference V across the component

Calculating Current, Resistance & Potential Difference

  • The current, resistance and potential difference of a component in a circuit are calculated using the equation:

Ohm's law, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes
  • This equation can be rearranged with the help of the following formula triangle:

VIR triangle (3), IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Voltage, current, resistance formula triangle

Worked Example

Calculate the potential difference through a resistor of resistance 10 Ω if there is a current of 0.3 A through it.

Answer:

Step 1: List the known quantities

  • Resistance, R = 10 Ω

  • Current, I = 0.3 A

Step 2: Write the equation relating resistance, potential difference and current

V = IR

Step 3: Substitute in the values

V = 0.3 × 10 = 3 V

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember that 'voltage' and 'potential difference' are the same, either wording will be accepted in your exam answers.

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.

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