4.5.1 Analysing series circuits BEST

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Diagnostic questions

Potential difference

The battery in this circuit has a potential difference (p.d.). This is because it has a positive charge at one end and a negative charge at the other end. The bigger the difference in charge at each end, the bigger its potential difference. Each bulb also has a potential difference. The battery makes one end of each bulb positive and the other end negative.

Fill in the gaps to describe the potential difference and current in a series circuit. You should only use the words 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 and 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁.

6 points

potential difference

current

Clear selection

Circuit change

In this circuit, the buzzer is working and an ammeter measures the current. The potential difference (p.d.) of the battery is 3.0V.

A bulb is added to the first circuit. How does circuit 2 compare to the first circuit? What do you think about each statement?

4 points

I am sure this is right

I think this is right

I think this is wrong

I am sure this is wrong

A The current through the ammeter is the same.

B The current through the buzzer is smaller.

C The p.d. across the battery is the same.

D The p.d. across the buzzer is smaller.

Current thinking

1) How does the current in circuit 2 compare to the current in circuit 1? Circuit 2 has twice the potential difference.

1 point

A Two times bigger.

B Same size.

C Two times smaller.

Clear selection

2) How does the current in circuit 2 compare to the current in circuit 1? Circuit 2 has half the resistance.

1 point

A Two times bigger.

B Same size.

C Two times smaller.

Clear selection

3) How does the current in circuit 2 compare to the current in circuit 1? Circuit 2 has twice the potential difference and twice the resistance.

1 point

A Four times bigger.

B Two times bigger.

C Same size.

D Two times smaller.

Clear selection

4) How does the current in circuit 2 compare to the current in circuit 1? Circuit 2 has twice the potential difference and four times the resistance.

1 point

A Two times bigger.

B Same size.

C Two times smaller.

D Four times smaller.

Clear selection

Resistance thinking

In this circuit, the bulb is bright and the motor is turning quickly.

a) The motor is swapped for a buzzer and a battery is added. The current is now smaller. What is the resistance of the buzzer?

0 points

A Bigger than the resistance of the motor.

B The same as the resistance of the motor.

C Smaller than the resistance of the motor.

Clear selection

b) What is the best reason for your last answer?

0 points

A The battery has a bigger potential difference.

B The current is smaller.

C There is a bigger potential difference and the current is smaller.

D A smaller current requires a smaller potential difference.

Clear selection

Constant current

In this circuit, an indicator light shows when the motor is on.

The indicator light is removed. What potential difference is needed so the motor has the same current as before?

0 points

A A bigger potential difference.

B The same potential difference.

C A smaller potential difference.

Clear selection

Solving series circuits

How could you find the resistance of the bulb?

Some of these statements are correct and some are wrong. To do: put the correct statements in order to explain how to solve the circuit.

12 points

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

Clear selection

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