Investigating Electrical Components

Question 1

What is a component in a circuit?

Answer 1

Part of a circuit

Components can include resistors, diodes, lamps, etc.

Question 2

Define current in the context of electricity.

Answer 2

The flow of charge

Measured in amperes (A).

Question 3

What is the function of a diode?

Answer 3

Only allows current to flow one way

Diodes are used to control the direction of current flow.

Question 4

What does potential difference (V) represent?

Answer 4

The energy transferred to part of a circuit by each coulomb of charge

Measured in volts (V).

Question 5

What is the role of a resistor in a circuit?

Answer 5

Limits the current in a circuit

Resistors are used to manage current levels and protect components.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the GCSE Required Practical in Physics I?

Answer 6

To find out how current and potential difference change in different components

It involves measuring the effects of different components on electrical flow.

Question 7

What does a voltmeter measure?

Answer 7

The potential difference

Used to determine the voltage across components.

Question 8

What does an ammeter measure?

Answer 8

The current

Used to measure the flow of charge in a circuit.

Question 9

Explain the pattern observed with a resistor in terms of potential difference and current.

Answer 9

Fixed resistance - more PD = more current

Resistors maintain a constant ratio of voltage to current.

Question 10

Describe the behavior of a lamp in relation to potential difference and current.

Answer 10

More PD = more current, but at high PD, resistance increases and current levels off

This is due to the heating effect on the filament.

Question 11

What is a key characteristic of a diode’s current flow?

Answer 11

Current can only flow in one direction

Diodes are crucial for rectifying alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The _______ of measurements refers to how consistent the results are when repeated.

Answer 12

Repeatability

Ensuring repeatability is essential for validating experimental results.

Question 13

What are control variables?

Answer 13

Variables that are kept constant during an experiment

This helps to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable alone.

Question 14

True or False: A resistor’s resistance changes with the amount of current flowing through it.

Answer 14

False

Resistors have a fixed resistance under normal conditions.

Question 15

List the components tested in the practical.

Answer 15

• Resistor
• Lamp
• Diode

Each component behaves differently under varying potential differences.