S2 Physics — Electricity (Revision)

Topics • resources • success criteria • key rules • tracker

S2 Physics Electricity revision page

Overview

Electricity explains everything from static shocks to circuits and batteries. Use this page for revision: practise questions, fix weak spots, and learn the key rules.

  • ✅ Multiple choice + short answers
  • 🔌 Series & parallel circuit rules (current + voltage)
  • 📏 Using meters (ammeter / voltmeter) correctly
  • 🔋 Cells & batteries (energy changes)
  • 📊 Data skills (averages, bar charts)
⭐ Start here: Practice Tests ↗

How to use this page (best routine)

Best improvement loop: attempt → mark → fix → re-attempt.

✅ The best routine (15–20 mins)Repeat 2–3×
  1. 8–10 mins: do a set of questions (Practice Tests / Revision Questions).
  2. 3 mins: mark and circle what you missed.
  3. 3–5 mins: use KO / Notes / PowerPoint to fix the idea.
  4. 2 mins: re-write the rule in one clear sentence.

Topics

Use these collapsibles as quick revision notes.

⚡ Static electricitycharges
  • Electrons can move between materials when rubbed.
  • Gain electrons → negative. Lose electrons → positive.
  • Like charges repel. Opposite charges attract.
Quick check: Explain why a balloon can stick to hair after rubbing.
🔧 Symbols & circuit drawingsskills
  • Use straight lines and right angles where possible.
  • Symbols must be clear (cell, battery, lamp, switch, buzzer, motor).
  • Label meters clearly if a question uses A1/A2/V1 etc.
Quick check: Draw one series and one parallel circuit from memory.
➡️ Series circuitsrules
  • One path for current.
  • Current is the same everywhere in the loop.
  • Voltage is shared: battery V = sum of voltages across components.
  • If one bulb breaks, all go out.
Quick check: Add a lamp in series — does current increase or decrease?
🌿 Parallel circuitsrules
  • Branches (more than one path).
  • Voltage is the same across each branch (same as the battery).
  • Total current adds up: current in = sum of branch currents.
  • If one bulb breaks, others stay on.
Quick check: Why does adding a branch increase the total current?
📏 Meters (ammeter / voltmeter)must know
  • Ammeter measures current (A) and goes in series.
  • Voltmeter measures voltage (V) and goes in parallel across a component.
Quick check: If a meter is connected across a lamp, is it an ammeter or voltmeter?
🔋 Cells & batteriesenergy
  • Chemical cell: chemical energy → electrical energy.
  • A battery is two or more cells connected together.
  • Rechargeable battery while charging: electrical energy → chemical energy.
Quick check: What energy change happens when charging a phone?
📊 Graphs & dataeasy marks
  • Average = add values ÷ number of values.
  • Bar chart: labelled axes + units + sensible scale + accurate bars.
  • Use most of the graph paper (don’t squash bars into one corner).
Quick check: Can you label axes with units before you draw any bars?

Resources

Keep your current links (no changes made).

⭐ Practice TestsMAIN
Open Practice Tests ↗
Do a section → mark → fix weak bits → re-attempt.
🤖 AI Electricity Companionhelp
Open AI Companion ↗
Ask it to: explain a rule, generate 5 practice questions, or mark your answer.
📌 Knowledge Organiserkey words
Open KO ↗
Use this after marking to fix definitions and rules quickly.
🧠 Quizlet Flashcards10 mins
Open Quizlet ↗
Aim for speed + accuracy: definitions and circuit rules.
📽️ PowerPointrecap
Open PowerPoint ↗
Use to re-learn a topic you’ve marked as Red.
📝 Notesexplain
Open Notes ↗
Good for “why” explanations and fuller answers.

Success criteria (Red / Amber / Green)

Tap each statement and choose G, A or R. This saves on this device.

How to use this: If you pick Red, do the action underneath today (then re-rate it).
    Ready rule: If you have no Reds in the core sections, you’re ready for a timed run. If you have any Reds, fix your top 3 first (use the actions shown).

    Key rules (collapsible)

    If you get stuck in a question, write the rule first, then apply it.

    ➡️ Series circuits (rule set)must know
    • Current is the same everywhere in the loop.
    • Voltage is shared: battery V = sum of voltages across components.
    • One break → whole circuit stops.
    Action: Write these two rules from memory, then check KO.
    🌿 Parallel circuits (rule set)must know
    • Voltage is the same across each branch (same as the battery).
    • Total current adds up: current from battery = sum of branch currents.
    • One branch breaks → others can still work.
    Action: Do one practice question where branch currents must add up.
    📏 Meters (ammeter / voltmeter)easy marks
    • Ammeter measures current (A) and goes in series.
    • Voltmeter measures voltage (V) and goes in parallel.
    Action: On a blank circuit, draw where the A and V must go.
    🔋 Cells & energy changescore
    • Chemical cell: chemical → electrical energy.
    • Charging rechargeable battery: electrical → chemical energy.
    • Battery = two or more cells connected together.
    Action: Write the energy change for: torch on / phone charging.
    🧠 Definitions (quick marks)words
    • Current = flow of charge around a circuit.
    • Voltage = measure of the energy that pushes charge around.
    • Series = one route. Parallel = branches.
    Action: Do 10 Quizlet cards without peeking.

    BBC Bitesize (quick reading)

    These open BBC Bitesize search results so they still work even if pages move.

    🔌 Circuits (series & parallel)Bitesize
    Open search ↗
    ⚡ Static electricityBitesize
    Open search ↗
    📏 Current, voltage & metersBitesize
    Open search ↗

    Revision tracker

    This saves on this device.