Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 1PH0 · Version from Sept 2016
Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with the…
Full specification wording
Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: 10.2 Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with the conventions of positive and negative terminals, and the symbols that represent cells, including batteries, switches, voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, variable resistors, lamps, motors, diodes, thermistors, LDRs and LEDs
Circuit diagrams use standard symbols so anyone can read a circuit.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PH0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 39
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Circuit diagrams use standard symbols so anyone can read a circuit. A single cell is a long line (positive terminal) and a short line (negative terminal); a battery is two or more cells drawn in series, so the long line of one meets the short line of the next. Other required symbols: switch (a break in the line with a hinged arm), resistor (a rectangle), variable resistor (a rectangle with an arrow across it), lamp (a circle with a cross), motor (a circle with M), diode (a triangle against a line, allowing current one way), thermistor (a rectangle with a diagonal line and a small tail), LDR (a rectangle with arrows pointing in) and LED (a diode symbol with arrows pointing out). Ammeters go in series and voltmeters in parallel across a component. When you draw, keep wires as straight lines with right-angled corners and place the positive terminal consistently.
What earns the marks
- Draws a cell with a long line for the positive terminal and a short line for the negative terminal.
- Represents a battery as two or more cells joined in series.
- Uses the correct symbol for each named component, including resistor, variable resistor, lamp, motor, diode, thermistor, LDR and LED.
- Places an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel with the component being measured.
- Keeps circuit lines straight with right-angled corners and a consistent positive-terminal convention.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Draws a battery as a single cell.
Put it right: Show two or more cells in series for a battery.
Places a voltmeter in series with a component.
Put it right: Connect the voltmeter in parallel across it.
Uses a circle with a cross for a motor.
Put it right: Reserve that symbol for a lamp and use a circle with M for a motor.
Reverses the cell convention.
Put it right: Draw the long line as the positive terminal.
Exam tips
- Learn each symbol by drawing it from memory, then check it against the specification list.
- Decide whether the meter measures current through a component (series) or potential difference across it (parallel) before placing it.
- Keep wires straight and corners square so the diagram is unambiguous.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: 10.2 Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with the conventions of positive and negative terminals, and the symbols that represent cells, including batteries, switches, voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, variable resistors, lamps, motors, diodes, thermistors, LDRs and LEDs lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In a circuit diagram, which symbol is used to represent a cell, showing its positive and negative terminals?
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: 10.2 Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with the conventions of positive and negative terminals, and the symbols that represent cells, including batteries, switches, voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, variable resistors, lamps, motors, diodes, thermistors, LDRs and LEDs
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge