Current, Voltage & Resistance — GCSE Physics Revision
Revise Current, Voltage & Resistance for GCSE Physics. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Series & Parallel CircuitsWhat is Current, Voltage & Resistance?
Current, Voltage & Resistance is a Physics topic where definition mix-ups cause most of the damage. Current is the rate of flow of charge, potential difference is energy transferred per unit charge, and resistance is how difficult it is for current to flow. Once those roles are separate in your head, the equations and circuit reasoning become much easier to control.
Board notes: AQA, Edexcel and OCR all test the same Physics core here, but the exact equation sheet use, practical framing, and tiered difficulty can vary by board.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Question focus: 'A component has 0.25 A current when the potential difference is 3.0 V. Calculate the resistance.' Write the equation first: R = V / I. Substitute carefully: R = 3.0 / 0.25 = 12 ohms. The mark-saving move is keeping the symbols and units visible before typing anything into the calculator.
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Targeted practice plan
- 1Write the core equation or rule for Current, Voltage & Resistance, then identify exactly what each symbol means before substituting values.
- 2Do one graph, circuit, or calculation question and mark where units, direction, or sign could have been lost.
- 3Redo the question without notes, keeping every method line visible so the physics and the maths stay connected.
Common mistakes
- 1Using voltage and current as if they mean the same thing.
- 2Applying the wrong equation or rearranging it incorrectly under time pressure.
- 3Describing resistance as if it is a source of electricity rather than opposition to current.
Current, Voltage & Resistance exam questions
Exam-style questions for Current, Voltage & Resistance with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Current, Voltage & Resistance
Core concept
Current, Voltage & Resistance is a Physics topic where definition mix-ups cause most of the damage. Current is the rate of flow of charge, potential difference is energy transferred per unit charge, a…
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between current and potential difference?
Current measures how much charge flows each second. Potential difference measures how much energy is transferred to each coulomb of charge.
Why is resistance tested so often?
Because it sits at the centre of circuit calculations, practical graphs, and comparisons between components such as resistors, lamps, and thermistors.