Generalisations

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Some materials allow charge to flow (movement) at different rates and these are labelled conductor, semi-conductor and insulator, based on the patterns observed.

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Energy can be transformed but is conserved in an isolated system.

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Charge can be moved but is conserved in an isolated system.

State that current is the rate of flow of charge

State that potential difference (PD) is measured across a component

Explain that electrical circuits transfer energy (P=VI and P=E/t)

Using the description of current, predict changes to components if the number of electrons, or energy given to them, changes.

Using the description of PD being the energy per unit charge, justify the power equation

Draw simple series and parallel circuits

Make simple current and potential difference measurements

Describe simple rules for the action of current and potential difference in series and parallel circuits

Solve problems to predict the current and potential difference in given circuits

Describe changes in current and potential difference in terms of Kirchhoff’s Laws

Resistance is related to the physical properties of a component, including molecular motion.

State that potential difference is proportional to current when Ohm’s law is obeyed.

Use V=IR to solve problems

Describe experiments to see how resistance changes with length, material, area and temperature

Draw graphs to show ohmic and non-ohmic components (resistor and bulb/heated wire)

Explain IV graphs in terms of ohmic and non-ohmic regions.