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6 Dec 2025

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Electricity Knowledge Organizer - Physics Topic 2 Complete Guide

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Annie

@annie.park

Electricity powers everything from your phone to your PlayStation, and... Show more

current:
4flow of electrical charge
Charge:
Lame size of the current is
mee vale of flow of
4 will only flow round a complete, charge.
Close

Basic Electrical Concepts and Circuits

Think of current as the flow of electrical charge - it's like water flowing through pipes, measured in amps (A). For current to flow, you need a complete circuit and a driving force called potential difference or voltage, measured in volts (V). This voltage pushes the charge around the circuit.

Resistance acts like a narrow pipe that slows down the flow, measured in ohms (Ω). The relationship between these three is dead simple: V = I × R (voltage equals current times resistance). You'll use this formula constantly in your calculations.

Different components behave differently in circuits. Filament lamps get hot and their resistance increases with temperature. Ohmic conductors have constant resistance, whilst diodes only let current flow in one direction. LDRs (light dependent resistors) have low resistance in bright light, and thermistors have low resistance when hot.

Quick Tip: Remember that charge (Q) = current (I) × time (t), where charge is measured in coulombs. This helps you calculate how much electrical charge flows in a given time.

In series circuits, components share the voltage but have the same current throughout. In contrast, the resistance of all components adds up, making the total resistance higher.

current:
4flow of electrical charge
Charge:
Lame size of the current is
mee vale of flow of
4 will only flow round a complete, charge.
Close

Power, The National Grid, and Electrical Safety

Power tells you how quickly energy is transferred, and you've got two key formulas: P = VI (power equals voltage times current) and P = I²R. These help you work out how much electrical energy appliances use, which is measured using E = Pt (energy equals power times time).

The National Grid is brilliant engineering - it's the massive system of cables and transformers covering the UK. It uses high voltage and low current to transfer electricity efficiently from power stations to your home. Step-up transformers increase voltage whilst decreasing current, and step-down transformers do the opposite.

Static electricity happens when you rub insulating materials together, causing electrons to jump from one object to another. This creates positive and negative charges that either attract (opposite charges) or repel (same charges). Too much static can cause dangerous sparks.

Safety Alert: The live wire (brown) carries 230V and can kill you if touched. Always remember that your body is at 0V, so touching the live wire creates a massive potential difference through you.

Household electricity uses alternating current (a.c.) at 230V and 50Hz frequency, meaning the current constantly changes direction. This is different from direct current (d.c.) from batteries, which always flows in the same direction. Parallel circuits are brilliant because each component works independently - if one breaks, the others keep working.



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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

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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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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

56

6 Dec 2025

2 pages

Electricity Knowledge Organizer - Physics Topic 2 Complete Guide

user profile picture

Annie

@annie.park

Electricity powers everything from your phone to your PlayStation, and understanding how it works is absolutely essential for GCSE physics. Let's break down the key concepts that'll help you ace your exams and understand the electrical world around you.

current:
4flow of electrical charge
Charge:
Lame size of the current is
mee vale of flow of
4 will only flow round a complete, charge.
Close

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Basic Electrical Concepts and Circuits

Think of current as the flow of electrical charge - it's like water flowing through pipes, measured in amps (A). For current to flow, you need a complete circuit and a driving force called potential difference or voltage, measured in volts (V). This voltage pushes the charge around the circuit.

Resistance acts like a narrow pipe that slows down the flow, measured in ohms (Ω). The relationship between these three is dead simple: V = I × R (voltage equals current times resistance). You'll use this formula constantly in your calculations.

Different components behave differently in circuits. Filament lamps get hot and their resistance increases with temperature. Ohmic conductors have constant resistance, whilst diodes only let current flow in one direction. LDRs (light dependent resistors) have low resistance in bright light, and thermistors have low resistance when hot.

Quick Tip: Remember that charge (Q) = current (I) × time (t), where charge is measured in coulombs. This helps you calculate how much electrical charge flows in a given time.

In series circuits, components share the voltage but have the same current throughout. In contrast, the resistance of all components adds up, making the total resistance higher.

current:
4flow of electrical charge
Charge:
Lame size of the current is
mee vale of flow of
4 will only flow round a complete, charge.
Close

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

Power, The National Grid, and Electrical Safety

Power tells you how quickly energy is transferred, and you've got two key formulas: P = VI (power equals voltage times current) and P = I²R. These help you work out how much electrical energy appliances use, which is measured using E = Pt (energy equals power times time).

The National Grid is brilliant engineering - it's the massive system of cables and transformers covering the UK. It uses high voltage and low current to transfer electricity efficiently from power stations to your home. Step-up transformers increase voltage whilst decreasing current, and step-down transformers do the opposite.

Static electricity happens when you rub insulating materials together, causing electrons to jump from one object to another. This creates positive and negative charges that either attract (opposite charges) or repel (same charges). Too much static can cause dangerous sparks.

Safety Alert: The live wire (brown) carries 230V and can kill you if touched. Always remember that your body is at 0V, so touching the live wire creates a massive potential difference through you.

Household electricity uses alternating current (a.c.) at 230V and 50Hz frequency, meaning the current constantly changes direction. This is different from direct current (d.c.) from batteries, which always flows in the same direction. Parallel circuits are brilliant because each component works independently - if one breaks, the others keep working.

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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.

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Most popular content: Voltage

Most popular content in Physics

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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