Current, potential difference and circuits
Series and parallel circuits behave very differently — and understanding current and potential difference explains why.
Part of your national curriculum
- Physics: electricity and magnetism: Understand electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, and potential difference measured in volts
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, and potential difference measured in volts
Key learning points
- • Current and potential difference
- • Series circuits
- • Parallel circuits
This lesson at a glance
- 26 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Current, potential difference and circuits
Series and parallel circuits behave very differently — and understanding current and potential difference explains why.
In a nutshell
Understand electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, and potential difference measured in volts
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Current and potential difference
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Current and potential difference
Electric current is the rate of flow of charge, measured in amperes (A) with an ammeter connected in series. Potential difference (voltage) is the energy transferred per unit charge between two points, measured in volts (V) with a voltmeter connected in parallel across a component.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Series circuits
In a series circuit, there is only one loop, so the current is the same everywhere in the circuit. The potential difference from the supply is shared between components — the more components, the smaller the share (and often the dimmer the bulbs) each one gets.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Quick check
In a series circuit with two identical bulbs, how does the current compare at different points?
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Parallel circuits
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Parallel circuits
In a parallel circuit, components are connected in separate branches. The potential difference across each branch is the same as the supply, but the current splits between branches, and each branch can be switched independently — useful for household wiring.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Quick check
In a parallel circuit, what happens to potential difference across each branch?
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ current is the rate of flow of charge, measured in amperes (A) with an ammeter connected in series.
Potential difference (voltage) is the energy transferred per unit charge between two points, ____ in volts (V) with a voltmeter connected in parallel across a component.
In a series circuit, there is only one loop, so the ____ is the same everywhere in the circuit.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What instrument measures current, and how is it connected?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Current, potential difference and circuits
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What instrument measures current, and how is it connected?
2. In a series circuit with two identical bulbs, how does the current compare at different points?
3. In a parallel circuit, what happens to potential difference across each branch?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Understand electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, and potential difference measured in volts