Free GCSE Physics lesson: Electricity and Circuits
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Lesson 4 · GCSE / Key Stage 4 · Physics

Electricity, charge and circuits

Learn how charge, current, potential difference and resistance describe simple electrical circuits.

Qualification: GCSE Subject: Physics Electricity Separate Physics and Combined Science

Electricity

This lesson builds charge, current, potential difference and resistance for GCSE Physics.

Use the core lesson first, then match the exam-board guidance to your school route. Many pupils meet this content through Combined Science as well as Separate Physics.

Good forSeparate Physics and Combined Science
FocusCharge, current, potential difference and resistance
Time45-60 minutes
EquipmentCalculator, pencil and circuit-symbol sheet if your class uses one.
Paper fitPaper 1 focus on most GCSE Physics routes
TierFoundation and Higher core
Practical linkNo required practical focus
Maths tagsM1 substitution with units, M6 ratio and percentage

What you will learn

  • Define current as rate of flow of charge.
  • Use charge = current x time in simple calculations.
  • Explain potential difference as energy transferred per unit charge.
  • Use resistance = potential difference divided by current.
  • Distinguish series and parallel circuit ideas at a basic level.

Exam-board fit

RouteSeparate Physics and Combined Science
PaperPaper 1 focus on most GCSE Physics routes
TierFoundation and Higher core
Specification fitElectricity: Charge, current, potential difference and resistance
Practical linkNo required practical focus
Maths ladderM1 substitution with units, M6 ratio and percentage

Exact paper labels and specification-point numbering vary by board and cohort, so match this lesson to your school route before using past-paper questions.

Circuit data supplied on this page

Use these simple lamp and resistor examples to practise choosing between charge, current, potential difference and resistance.

Clear explanation

Current is the rate of flow of charge. A current of 2 A means 2 coulombs of charge pass a point each second.

Potential difference tells you how much energy is transferred by each coulomb of charge. A 6 V supply transfers 6 J of energy per coulomb.

Resistance describes how difficult it is for current to flow through a component. For an ohmic conductor at constant temperature, increasing potential difference increases current in proportion.

Key diagram

Simple series circuit with cell, switch and lamp A rectangular circuit loop contains a cell, a switch and a lamp, with arrows showing current around the single loop. cell lamp switch
Diagram: the single loop makes clear that current is the same at each point in a simple series circuit.

Worked examples

Charge passing through a lamp

A lamp has a current of 0.5 A for 20 s.

charge = current x time

charge = 0.5 x 20 = 10

Answer: 10 C of charge passes through the lamp.

Quick checks

Choose an answer, then check your thinking.

1. A current of 3 A flows for 4 s. How much charge passes a point?

2. What does potential difference measure in a circuit?

Practice questions

Question 1

A current of 0.2 A flows for 50 s. Calculate the charge transferred.

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: 10 C.

Marking: Credit charge = current x time and 0.2 x 50 = 10 C.

Question 2

A resistor has 6 V across it and a current of 0.5 A through it. Calculate the resistance.

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: 12 ohms.

Marking: Credit resistance = potential difference divided by current, so 6 ÷ 0.5 = 12 ohms.

Question 3

A component transfers 24 J of energy when 4 C of charge passes through it. Calculate the potential difference.

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: 6 V.

Marking: Credit potential difference = energy transferred ÷ charge and 24 ÷ 4 = 6 V.

Question 4

In a simple series circuit, what happens to current at different points in the loop?

Reveal answer and marking guidance

Answer: The current is the same at every point in the series loop.

Marking: Credit the idea that charge is not used up by components.

Exam practice ladder

AO1 fluencyRecall the key definition, unit, equation or model before using the lesson questions.
AO2 applicationApply charge, current, potential difference and resistance to an unfamiliar device, practical setup or data description.
AO3 analysisUse evidence, graph features, uncertainty, method quality or conclusion wording where the question asks you to evaluate.
Maths skillM1 substitution with units

Answers and marking guidance

The exact practice answers are hidden under each question so you can try first. For this lesson, marks come from using the correct physics model, choosing the right equation where needed, keeping units with values, and explaining changes with precise words such as transfer, resultant force, acceleration, evidence and uncertainty.

Common mistakes

  • Saying current is used up by a component.
  • Confusing charge with current.
  • Using resistance = current divided by potential difference.
  • Forgetting that volts describe energy transferred per coulomb.

Exam-board guidance

All supported routes assess the core physics idea, but they may group topics, practicals and paper wording differently.

AQA GCSE Physics

AQA GCSE Physics: use this lesson for charge, current, potential difference and resistance, then check whether your class is taking Separate Physics or Combined Science.

OCR GCSE Physics

OCR GCSE Physics: the core physics idea is shared, but Gateway and Twenty First Century may organise questions differently.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics: practise the concept, the equation use and the practical language because questions often connect them.

Eduqas GCSE Physics

Eduqas GCSE Physics: learn the core explanation and practise applying it to unfamiliar contexts, data and practical questions.

WJEC Wales

WJEC Wales: check whether your class is using the current GCSE Physics route or a newer science route, then use this lesson for the shared physics idea.

CCEA GCSE Physics

CCEA GCSE Physics: connect the idea to your unit and remember that practical skills are assessed directly.

Extension challenge

Make a three-column circuit table for charge, current and time. Fill in two values and calculate the missing value in three different rows.

Reveal answer

Example answer: A strong extension response names the physics model, uses accurate units and explains why the evidence supports the conclusion.

Next lesson

Next, continue with Particles, Density and Internal Energy.

Previous lesson: Forces and MotionBack to GCSE Physics lessonsNext lesson: Particles, Density and Internal Energy