Electricity and magnetism
…What to expect In this section you will learn about the big ideas of charge, a property that interacts with electric fields, electricity, the movement of charges in response to a force within a conductor, and magnetism, the forces exerted on magnetic…
Is your teacher lying about electricity?
In his recent video about the transmission of electrical energy Derek Muller accuses physics teachers of lying to their students. One of my students saw this video before me and asked me the question. I got the answer right :-) However I'm not going …
Electricity and magnetism
Diodes and rectification
With most electricity generated to have alternating current, it is useful in some cases for this to be converted into direct current. This process is called rectification. At its heart is the diode, an electrical component that only conducts electric…
Atomic, nuclear and particles
Fission
Nuclear fission is used today around the world to generate electricity in nuclear power stations. The binding energy curve explains why the process releases energy. Key Concepts If a massive nucleus splits into two, there is an increase in binding en…
Energy production
Renewable sources II
Norway (home to Chris!) is well-known as a producer of oil and gas. However, the landscape means that domestic electricity can be supplied entirely by hydroelectric power. This page includes some interactive resources about three key renewable resour…
Energy production
Power stations
Here we will jump straight in with the most common form of electricity production worldwide - the fossil fuel power station. While quite difficult to draw (see below!), you will learn about the physics principles that govern the four key sections: Fu…
Electricity and magnetism
Transformers
…induction to convert kinetic into electrical energy. Electromagnetic induction is then used in transformers to transmit the electricity efficiently to where it is needed. Key Concepts Operation A transformer consists of two coils - primary and secon…
Energy production
…e big real-world issues. It's all about flow! After studying this topic, you should be able to: Explain the processes of electricity production and consumption Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable sourc…
Energy production
Renewable sources I
…of hydroelectric power is quite simple. The potential energy stored in the water in high mountain lakes can be converted to electricity when the kinetic energy of water flowing downhill turns a turbine connected to a generator. In a pumped storage s…
Revision tips
Mind maps and revision techniques
…s) Oscillations & waves - Bitesize Gallery: Waves - bitesize Mode: simple Thumb width: 128px Layout: row Electric fields & electricity - Bitesize (but not Magnetism) Gallery: Electricity - bitesize Mode: simple Thumb width: 128px Layout: row Gravi…
Energy production
Energy sources
…ssure steam is directed at the vanes of a turbine causing it to turn. More info is included in Power stations. Motion into electricity An electromotive force is induced if a coil is rotated in a magnetic field. This is the principle of a generator.…
Electricity and magnetism
Faraday's law
…wire moving through the field will be at right angles. But there's no harm in being prepared! Applications Generating electricity Electromagnetic induction is the principle on which almost all methods for generating electricity are founded. Al…
Electricity and magnetism
Ohm's law
The most important law related to electrical circuits and is consequently needed for almost every electricity exam question! Key Concepts Ohm's law states that potential difference across a conductor is proportional to the current flowing through…
Basics
Algebraic techniques
…ng the same situation often arise in Mechanics (an elastic colllision provides equations for momentum and kinetic energy) or Electricity (Kirchhoff's laws for current and potential difference). We can solve them simultaneously. Key Concepts This…
Electricity and magnetism
Electromagnets
Moving charges (e.g. in any electric circuit!) produce a magnetic field. The connection between electricity and magnetism is said to have been discovered by chance by physicist Hans Christian Oersted. It is possible that John Brown the baker had alr…
Electricity and magnetism
Force on a current-carrying conductor
…ce on a conductor not the force on a magnet. Definition of the ampere The ampere (A) is the fundamental unit of current in electricity. It is defined in terms of the force between two parallel wires. Essentials Rotating coil If a coil of wire h…
Atomic, nuclear and particles
Radioactivity
…alpha, beta and gamma particles. These ionise a gas by knocking electrons off the atoms. This makes the gas able to conduct electricity, which can be used to detect the particles. Penetrating power Ionising radiation is stopped by the following ma…
Energy production
Nuclear power II
…on than are needed to react. This is a good thing - it is essential that the nuclear reaction rate is maintained for ongoing electricity generation. An uncontrolled chain reaction is used in nuclear weaponry. Essentials Neutron absorption When a ne…
Start here
…of Forces and Motion, Heat, Orbits, Vibrations and Energy Production right down to the nanoscale with Gas Particles, Light, Electricity and Quantum Physics. New to the InThinking Revision Sites? The InThinking Revision Sites are a one-stop revision…
A river runs through it
…hich turned out to be 20 m. The power is therefore 2 kW, if it's 50% efficient that would be 1 kW. With the present price of electricity that might be worth doing however: the river is rarely so full. we would need to have some sort of collection poi…
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