LuduminaEL-02 · EL-U1 · Planned
Potential difference and resistance
Learning objectives
Relate current, resistance and p.d.; place a voltmeter correctly and calculate unknowns.
8463 §§4.2.1.3 / 8464 §§6.2.1.3
DfE single-science pp.39–41 / Combined pp.33–34. Evidence checked 30 September–1 October 2026. Skills: WS2.3,4.2; MS3b,3c.
Needs firstEL-01
Explanation
Potential difference describes energy transferred per unit charge between two points. Resistance relates p.d. and current at an operating point. A voltmeter compares two points across a component, so it belongs in parallel.
Concepts, equations and units: V=IR; V in V, I in A, R in Ω; p.d. energy per charge elaborated in EL-08.
Prediction, demonstration and game exercise
Predict, observe, explain
Predict current for different resistors at fixed p.d.; connect voltmeter in parallel.
Planned learner game exercise
Diagnose wrongly wired meters and choose a resistance giving a target current.
Independent practice
Three V/I/R questions and a qualitative comparison.
Original practice example · Shared
A resistor has 6.0 V across it and current 0.20 A. Find resistance.
Show working and model answer
Working / reasoning
R = V/I = 6.0/0.20.
Answer
30 Ω.
Exit check and success criteria
Two calculations correct and both meter connections justified.
During practice, compare the prediction with evidence and give an error-specific prompt. The exit item uses a fresh context or fresh values, answered independently.
Misconceptions, practical links and mastery
Check these misconceptions
Resistance slows charge until it piles up indefinitely; p.d. is measured through a component in series.
Practical preparation
Preparation for RP-P3/P4 and RP-C15/C16; AT6,7.
Virtual preparation and revision only. Required hands-on activities and school records remain separate.
Proposed mastery
0: not yet evidenced. 1: supported. 2: independent exit criteria met. 3: successful changed-context transfer. Advance at 2; revisit with fresh retrieval. These are not GCSE grades.