AQA · GCSE Physics 8463
AQA GCSE Physics: Electricity — Practice Questions & Answers
Current, potential difference and resistance; circuits, components, mains power, energy transfer, the National Grid and static.
672 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
What does electric current measure?
- The rate of flow of electric charge
- The energy stored in a battery
- The resistance of a wire
- The push given to charges by a cell
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WhyElectric current is the rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A).
2
Multiple choice · Easy
Which instrument is used to measure the current flowing through a component?
- Ammeter
- Voltmeter
- Thermometer
- Ohmmeter placed in series
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WhyAn ammeter measures current and is always connected in series with the component.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
What is the unit of potential difference?
- Volt (V)
- Ampere (A)
- Ohm
- Watt (W)
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WhyPotential difference is measured in volts (V).
4
Multiple choice · Easy
A voltmeter must be connected how relative to the component being measured?
- In parallel with the component
- In series with the component
- In series with the cell only
- It does not matter how it is connected
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WhyA voltmeter measures potential difference across a component and is connected in parallel with it.
5
Multiple choice · Easy
What is the frequency of UK mains electricity?
- 50 Hz
- 230 Hz
- 12 Hz
- 100 Hz
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WhyUK mains is an ac supply with a frequency of 50 Hz and a potential difference of about 230 V.
6
Multiple choice · Easy
In a UK three-pin plug, which colour is the live wire?
- Brown
- Blue
- Green and yellow
- Black
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WhyThe live wire is brown, the neutral is blue, and the earth wire is green and yellow striped.
7
Multiple choice · Medium
A current of 3 A flows through a resistor of 4 ohm. What is the potential difference across it?
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WhyUsing V = I x R, V = 3 x 4 = 12 V.
8
Multiple choice · Medium
What happens to the total resistance when more resistors are added in series?
- It increases
- It decreases
- It stays the same
- It becomes zero
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WhyIn series the resistances add up, so the total resistance increases.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
How does the resistance of a light dependent resistor (LDR) change as light intensity increases?
- Resistance decreases
- Resistance increases
- Resistance stays constant
- Resistance drops to zero immediately
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WhyIn an LDR, increasing light intensity decreases its resistance.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
A device uses a current of 5 A at a potential difference of 230 V. What is its power?
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WhyUsing P = I x V, P = 5 x 230 = 1150 W.
Key terms in Electricity
Electric current: The rate of flow of electric charge around a circuit, measured in amperes (A).
Charge flow: The total amount of electric charge that passes a point, equal to current multiplied by time.
Coulomb: The unit of electric charge (C), equal to the charge transferred by a current of 1 A in 1 second.
Ampere: The unit of electric current (A), representing a flow of one coulomb of charge per second.
Potential difference: The energy transferred per unit charge between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (V).
Voltage: Another name for potential difference, describing the push that drives charge around a circuit.
Volt: The unit of potential difference (V), equal to one joule of energy transferred per coulomb of charge.
Resistance: A measure of how much a component opposes the flow of electric current, measured in ohms.
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