Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can decide whether two elements are in series, in parallel or neither by tracing the paths and junctions, not the layout. (Guide: “Series and parallel: it is about the paths”)
- I can explain why elements in series carry the same current and why parallel paths share the same potential difference. (Guide: “Series and parallel: it is about the paths”)
- I can explain why adding a parallel path lowers the equivalent resistance. (Guide: “Equivalent resistance”; Practice Q6)
- I can describe a real battery as an ideal emf in series with an internal resistance, and say when its terminal voltage equals its emf. (Guide: “Real batteries and real wires”)
- I can explain when wire resistance may be neglected and when it may not. (Guide: Worked example 2)
Calculation and skills
- I can derive the series and parallel formulas for equivalent resistance. (Guide: “Equivalent resistance”)
- I can reduce a network step by step and find the current in and potential difference across every resistor. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q1, Q5)
- I can use ΔV = ℰ − Ir to find a terminal voltage, an emf or an internal resistance. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q3, Q5)
- I can find ℰ and r from a graph of terminal voltage against current. (Practice Q7)
- I can place an ammeter and a voltmeter correctly in a schematic. (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q4, Q7)
Reasoning
- I can predict how bulb brightness changes when a path is added or removed, following R_eq → I → ΔV → P. (Guide: “Brightness of bulbs in compound circuits”; Practice Q2)
- I can explain how a real ammeter or voltmeter changes the quantity it measures, and estimate the size of the effect. (Guide: “Measuring current and potential difference”; Practice Q4)
- I can compare how an ideal and a real battery respond when more load is connected. (Practice Q6)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 11.6, Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule.