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3 Dec 2025

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Key Notes on Electricity - Physics Paper 1

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Millie @millie_rains

Physics covers the fundamental forces and energy that power everything around us, from the electricity in your phone... Show more

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Electricity Fundamentals

Think of electricity like water flowing through pipes - current is how much charge flows past a point (measured in amps), whilst voltage is the pressure pushing it along (measured in volts). Resistance acts like a narrow pipe that slows everything down (measured in ohms).

The golden rule for current? It's exactly the same everywhere in a series circuit - no electrons get lost along the way! When resistance goes up, current goes down, which is why your phone charger gets warm when it's working hard.

I-V graphs show you how different components behave. Ohmic conductors give you a straight line (boring but reliable), filament lamps curve upward as they heat up, and diodes only let current flow one way - like a one-way street for electrons.

Quick tip Remember that in series circuits, voltages add up but current stays the same. In parallel circuits, it's the opposite - currents add up but voltage stays the same across each branch.

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Energy and Heat

Energy comes in loads of different forms, and here's the brilliant bit - it never disappears, just changes from one type to another. Kinetic energy (movement) uses the formula KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity², whilst potential energy (stored energy) equals mass × gravitational field strength × height.

Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy you need to heat 1kg of something by 1°C. Think of it as how stubborn a material is about changing temperature - water needs loads of energy, which is why the sea takes ages to warm up in summer.

Specific latent heat is the energy needed to change state (like melting ice) without changing temperature. There are two types fusion (solid to liquid) and vaporisation (liquid to gas). The particles are rearranging themselves, not speeding up.

Remember Internal energy is the total of all kinetic and potential energy stores in a substance. When you heat something, you're increasing this internal energy.

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Pressure, Power and Efficiency

Density measures how tightly packed matter is (mass ÷ volume). For regular objects, just measure and calculate. For irregular shapes, use water displacement - the volume of water pushed out equals the object's volume.

Power is how quickly energy gets transferred or work gets done, measured in watts. It's the difference between a sports car and a tractor - both might do the same job, but one does it much faster.

Efficiency compares useful energy output to total energy input, always less than 100% because some energy always gets wasted as heat. You can improve efficiency with lubricants to reduce friction, or insulation to prevent heat loss through conduction and convection.

Energy conservation law Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between different stores like kinetic, gravitational, chemical, electrical, and thermal energy.

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Physics

303

3 Dec 2025

3 pages

Key Notes on Electricity - Physics Paper 1

user profile picture

Millie

@millie_rains

Physics covers the fundamental forces and energy that power everything around us, from the electricity in your phone to the heat that warms your home. Understanding these concepts will help you make sense of how the world works and give... Show more

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Electricity Fundamentals

Think of electricity like water flowing through pipes - current is how much charge flows past a point (measured in amps), whilst voltage is the pressure pushing it along (measured in volts). Resistance acts like a narrow pipe that slows everything down (measured in ohms).

The golden rule for current? It's exactly the same everywhere in a series circuit - no electrons get lost along the way! When resistance goes up, current goes down, which is why your phone charger gets warm when it's working hard.

I-V graphs show you how different components behave. Ohmic conductors give you a straight line (boring but reliable), filament lamps curve upward as they heat up, and diodes only let current flow one way - like a one-way street for electrons.

Quick tip: Remember that in series circuits, voltages add up but current stays the same. In parallel circuits, it's the opposite - currents add up but voltage stays the same across each branch.

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Energy and Heat

Energy comes in loads of different forms, and here's the brilliant bit - it never disappears, just changes from one type to another. Kinetic energy (movement) uses the formula KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity², whilst potential energy (stored energy) equals mass × gravitational field strength × height.

Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy you need to heat 1kg of something by 1°C. Think of it as how stubborn a material is about changing temperature - water needs loads of energy, which is why the sea takes ages to warm up in summer.

Specific latent heat is the energy needed to change state (like melting ice) without changing temperature. There are two types: fusion (solid to liquid) and vaporisation (liquid to gas). The particles are rearranging themselves, not speeding up.

Remember: Internal energy is the total of all kinetic and potential energy stores in a substance. When you heat something, you're increasing this internal energy.

# Electricity

> Current is the flow of electrical charge lelectrons
> Current - Amps (A)
> Same value everywhere in the circuit

> Voltage

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Pressure, Power and Efficiency

Density measures how tightly packed matter is (mass ÷ volume). For regular objects, just measure and calculate. For irregular shapes, use water displacement - the volume of water pushed out equals the object's volume.

Power is how quickly energy gets transferred or work gets done, measured in watts. It's the difference between a sports car and a tractor - both might do the same job, but one does it much faster.

Efficiency compares useful energy output to total energy input, always less than 100% because some energy always gets wasted as heat. You can improve efficiency with lubricants to reduce friction, or insulation to prevent heat loss through conduction and convection.

Energy conservation law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between different stores like kinetic, gravitational, chemical, electrical, and thermal energy.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

7

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content in Physics

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user