Study the principles of electric circuits, including charge, current, voltage, and resistance. Investigate series and parallel circuits, energy transfer, and the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
• Explain static electricity as the transfer of electrons between objects. • Describe the forces of attraction and repulsion between charged objects. • Explain the concept of an electric field around a charge and its interaction with other charges.
• Define electric current as the rate of flow of charge. • Explain the relationship between current, potential difference, and resistance. • Use representational models to predict circuit behaviour. • Investigate the properties of various circuit components.
• Define potential difference as work done per unit charge. • Analyze the behaviour of current and potential difference in series and parallel circuits. • Calculate equivalent resistance for resistors in series and parallel. • Explain the operation of sensing circuits using LDRs and thermistors.
• Relate power rating to the rate of energy transfer. • Explain the relationship between power, potential difference, and current. • Explain the principle of stepping down current for efficient power transmission using transformers.
• Describe the properties of magnetic fields around magnets and current-carrying wires. • Explain the Earth's magnetic field. • Distinguish between permanent and induced magnets. • Describe the magnetic field of a solenoid and the application in electromagnets and loudspeakers.
• Explain the motor effect as the interaction between magnetic fields. • Use Fleming’s left-hand rule to determine force direction. • Calculate the force on a conductor in a magnetic field. • Explain the principle of electric motors.
• Explain electromagnetic induction. • Describe the operation of microphones, alternators, and dynamos. • Explain the function and design of transformers, including the turns ratio equation.
