Edexcel IGCSE Physics · Section 2
Electricity
Charge, current, voltage, resistance, circuits, electrical power, energy transfer and mains electricity.
What this section covers
This section covers electric circuits and the key quantities students need for calculation and explanation questions.
- Use current, potential difference and resistance in circuit questions.
- Explain series and parallel circuits.
- Apply electrical power and energy transfer equations.
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1
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Current, Charge & Circuits
Spec 2.1-2.3
Electric current, charge, and the basics of electrical circuits.
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2
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Charge & Ohm's Law: Using the Equations
Spec 2.1-2.6
Worked examples using the charge and Ohm's law equations.
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3
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Electrical Heating, Fuses and Circuit Protection
Spec 2.2-2.4
Covers explain heating in a resistor, Distinguish insulation, earthing, fuses and circuit breakers and Select a suitable fuse using P = IV.
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5
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Current-Voltage (I-V) Characteristics
Spec 2.7
Current-voltage graphs for a resistor, a filament lamp and a diode.
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6
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Complete Series-Circuit Calculations
Spec 2.8, 2.19
Covers predict how current changes, Combine series resistances and Calculate current and component voltages.
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7
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Resistance, LDRs & Thermistors
Spec 2.8-2.9
How the resistance of LDRs and thermistors changes with light and temperature.
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8
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Series & Parallel Circuit Rules
Spec 2.10-2.12
The rules for current, voltage and resistance in series and parallel circuits.
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10
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Power & Energy: Using the Equations
Spec 2.13-2.16
Worked examples using the electrical power and energy equations.
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11
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Mains Electricity & Safety
Spec 2.17-2.19
Mains electricity, the three-pin plug and electrical safety.
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12
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Static Electricity
Spec 2.20-2.22
Static electricity, charging by friction, and its everyday effects.
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13
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Conductors, Insulators and Charging by Friction (Paper 2)
Spec 2.22P-2.23P
Covers classify common materials, Investigate charging by friction and Control and interpret the test.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ohm's law?
Voltage = current × resistance (V = IR) for a component at a constant temperature.
What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?
In series the current is the same everywhere and the voltage is shared; in parallel the voltage is the same across each branch and the current is shared.
How do you calculate electrical power?
Power = voltage × current (P = VI), or energy transferred ÷ time.
How does a fuse make a plug safe?
If too much current flows, the fuse wire melts and breaks the circuit, protecting the appliance and the user.
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