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WalesPhysics

Unit 1: Electric circuits and electromagnetism

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are current, potential difference and resistance, and how are they linked?

Electric current as the rate of flow of charge, the charge equation, potential difference as energy transferred per unit charge, resistance, and the equation linking potential difference, current and resistance.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.1 on current, potential difference and resistance, covering current as the rate of flow of charge, the charge equation, potential difference as energy per unit charge, resistance, and the equation linking them.
9 min answer →

How is mains electricity supplied to homes, and how are people and appliances protected?

Domestic mains electricity, the live, neutral and earth wires, fuses, circuit breakers, earthing and double insulation, electrical power and the cost of electrical energy.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.4 on domestic electricity, covering the mains supply, live, neutral and earth wires, fuses, circuit breakers and earthing, the power equations, and calculating the cost of electrical energy in kilowatt-hours.
9 min answer →

How do magnetic fields arise from currents, and how is force produced by the motor effect?

Magnetic fields around magnets and current-carrying wires and coils, electromagnets, the motor effect, the force on a current-carrying conductor, and the electric motor.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.9 on electromagnetism, covering magnetic fields around magnets, wires and solenoids, electromagnets, the motor effect, the force on a current-carrying conductor and how a simple electric motor works.
9 min answer →

How is electricity generated by induction, and how do transformers change voltage?

Electromagnetic induction, the a.c. generator, the transformer, the turns ratio and transformer equation, and why transformers are used in the National Grid.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.9 on electromagnetic induction, covering how a generator induces an alternating voltage, how a transformer changes voltage using the turns ratio, the transformer equation, and why transformers matter for efficient transmission.
9 min answer →

How do current, potential difference and resistance behave in series and parallel circuits?

Series and parallel circuits, the current and potential difference rules for each, total resistance, circuit symbols, and the I-V characteristics of components.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.1 on series and parallel circuits, covering the current and potential difference rules, total resistance, circuit symbols, and the I-V characteristics of resistors, lamps and diodes.
9 min answer →