This introduction covers The Ski Lift Model within Potential Difference for GCSE Physics. Revise Potential Difference in Electricity for GCSE Physics with 14 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 14 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚡ The Ski Lift Model
Think of a battery as a ski lift. It picks up skiers (charges) at the bottom and lifts them to the top, giving them gravitational potential energy. A 12 V battery gives 12 joules of energy to every coulomb of charge that passes through it. Components are like the ski slopes — they take energy from the charges as they pass through. A lamp with 12 V across it takes 12 joules from every coulomb. Voltage is just energy per charge — the "height" of the electrical "hill"!
Practice questions for Potential Difference
Which of the following is the correct definition of potential difference?
Explain what is meant by a potential difference of 6 V across a component.
Quick recall flashcards
P.d. equation?
V = E/Q where V = voltage (V), E = energy (J), Q = charge (C). Also V = IR.
What is 1 Volt?
1 Joule per Coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C)