Electrical Work
Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 4.6.1
Electrical Work
In an electrical circuit, the energy source (battery or power supply) makes a current flow.
Charge flow
- Charge flows through the energy source, the rest of the circuit, and its components, like lamps and heaters.
- The charges are already inside the wires before the energy source makes them flow.
- The flow of current transfers energy from the energy source to the components.
Energy transfer
- The components then transfer energy to their surroundings.
- For example a lamp emits light into its surroundings.
Test yourself on Electrical Work
Select the relevant units for the equation: power = current x potential difference.
Flow of Energy in an Electric Circuit