This deep dive covers Voltage Rules in Circuits 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 4 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚡ Voltage Rules in Circuits
In SERIES circuits:
- Voltages ADD UP: Vtotal = V₁ + V₂ + V₃
- Energy given by battery = energy taken by all components
- More resistance → larger share of voltage
In PARALLEL circuits:
- Voltage is the SAME across each branch
- Each branch connects directly to the supply
- V₁ = V₂ = V₃ = Vsupply
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
What is 1 Volt?
1 Joule per Coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C)
P.d. equation?
V = E/Q where V = voltage (V), E = energy (J), Q = charge (C). Also V = IR.