Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 1PH0 · Version from Sept 2016
Recall that, when there is an electric current in a resistor, there is an…
Full specification wording
Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: 10.22 Recall that, when there is an electric current in a resistor, there is an energy transfer which heats the resistor
When a current flows through a resistor, charge is pushed through the resistor by the potential difference, and electrical energy is transferred to the thermal store of the resistor, so the…
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PH0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 20 of 39
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
When a current flows through a resistor, charge is pushed through the resistor by the potential difference, and electrical energy is transferred to the thermal store of the resistor, so the resistor warms up. The energy transferred depends on the current, the resistance and the time, and the power dissipated is the product of current and potential difference. This heating is why components such as filament lamps glow and why kettles heat water, and it is also why circuits can overheat. In a multiple-choice question you should recognise that the energy transfer heats the resistor rather than creating charge or destroying energy, and that the resistor's temperature rises as current flows.
What earns the marks
- States that a current in a resistor transfers energy to the thermal store of the resistor.
- Recognises that the resistor's temperature rises as current flows through it.
- Identifies that the energy transferred depends on current, resistance and time.
- Rejects the idea that charge is used up or that energy disappears in the resistor.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claims that charge is used up as it passes through the resistor.
Put it right: State that charge is conserved and energy is transferred as heat.
Says the resistor stays at the same temperature.
Put it right: Recognise that its temperature rises as energy is transferred to it.
Assumes the heating happens only in wires and not in resistors.
Put it right: Apply the same energy transfer to any resistor.
Exam tips
- Read every option and eliminate those that break conservation of charge or energy.
- Link the correct option to the idea of energy transferred to the thermal store.
- Check whether the option mentions temperature rise, since that is the observable effect of the heating.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: 10.22 Recall that, when there is an electric current in a resistor, there is an energy transfer which heats the resistor lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
When an electric current flows through a resistor, what happens to the resistor?
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