# WPH12 Electric Circuits Topic Questions

> Edexcel IAL WPH12: every Electric Circuits topic question from 22 papers (2019–2026), grouped by syllabus point. 268 questions, 634 marks, with direct links…

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Edexcel IAL · Physics · WPH12 · A Level

Every WPH12 Electric Circuits topic question from the 2018–current syllabus, drawn from 22 papers (2019–2026) and grouped by syllabus point. Each row opens a page listing the exact question numbers, marks and a direct link into the paper. These are questions by topic, not full papers, so you can revise one topic at a time.

- WPH12
- 18 subtopics
- 268 topic questions
- 22 papers
- 634 tagged marks
- [Back to Electric Circuits](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/)
- [All paper codes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/)

Core finding

**77 know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand… is the most frequently assessed subtopic in Electric Circuits, with 43 topic questions and 106 marks across 21 papers.** 69 be able to use the equations …, … and be able to derive… follows with 42 topic questions and 117 marks. The topic contains 18 subtopics, 268 topic questions and 634 marks in total. Rows count only the parts tagged to that subtopic, keep the same colour in both charts and repeat paper count, tagged marks and year range in the native table.

## Topic question count and mark distribution

Subtopics are on the vertical axis and sorted from highest to lowest. Only the parts whose knowledge graph matches a subtopic are counted for it, and percentages are each row's share of the tagged total in that chart. A part tagged to several subtopics is counted in each bar, so the bars are not a partition of the topic total.

### Questions by subtopic

question items

- [77 know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand what is meant by internal resistance and know how to distinguish between e.m.f. and terminal potential difference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/77-know-the-definition-of-electromotive-force-e-m-f-and-understand-what-is-meant-by/) (21 papers) — 43 · 10.5%
- [69 be able to use the equations $P=VI$, $W=VIt$ and be able to derive and use related equations, e.g. $P=I^{2}R$ and $P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/69-be-able-to-use-the-equations-p-vi-w-vit-and-be-able-to-derive-and-use-related/) (21 papers) — 42 · 10.3%
- [68 be able to derive the equations for combining resistances in series and parallel using the principles of charge and energy conservation, and be able to use these equations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/68-be-able-to-derive-the-equations-for-combining-resistances-in-series-and-parallel/) (20 papers) — 39 · 9.5%
- [70 understand how to sketch, recognise and interpret current-potential difference graphs for components, including ohmic conductors, filament bulbs, thermistors and diodes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/70-understand-how-to-sketch-recognise-and-interpret-current-potential-difference/) (20 papers) — 30 · 7.3%
- [71 be able to use the equation $R=\frac{\rho l}{A}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/71-be-able-to-use-the-equation-r-frac-rho-l-a/) (22 papers) — 29 · 7.1%
- [73 be able to use $I=nqvA$ to explain the large range of resistivities of different materials](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/73-be-able-to-use-i-nqva-to-explain-the-large-range-of-resistivities-of-different/) (22 papers) — 29 · 7.1%
- [75 understand the principles of a potential divider circuit and understand how to calculate potential differences and resistances in such a circuit](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/75-understand-the-principles-of-a-potential-divider-circuit-and-understand-how-to/) (19 papers) — 28 · 6.8%
- [76 be able to analyse potential divider circuits where one resistance is variable including thermistors and light dependent resistors (LDRs)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/76-be-able-to-analyse-potential-divider-circuits-where-one-resistance-is-variable/) (18 papers) — 26 · 6.4%
- [79 understand how changes of resistance with temperature may be modelled in terms of lattice vibrations and number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to metallic conductors and negative temperature coefficient thermistors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/79-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-temperature-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) (18 papers) — 26 · 6.4%
- [66 understand that resistance is defined by $R=\frac{V}{I}$ and that Ohm's law is a special case when $I\propto V$ for constant temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/66-understand-that-resistance-is-defined-by-r-frac-v-i-and-that-ohm-s-law-is-a/) (14 papers) — 20 · 4.9%
- [64 understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charged particles and be able to use the equation $I=\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/64-understand-that-electric-current-is-the-rate-of-flow-of-charged-particles-and-be/) (15 papers) — 17 · 4.2%
- [65 understand how to use the equation $V=\frac{W}{Q}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/65-understand-how-to-use-the-equation-v-frac-w-q/) (13 papers) — 17 · 4.2%
- [78 CORE PRACTICAL 8: Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/78-core-practical-8-determine-the-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-of-an-electrical-cell/) (11 papers) — 17 · 4.2%
- [67b understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67b-understand-how-the-distribution-of-potential-differences-in-a-circuit-is-a/) (10 papers) — 13 · 3.2%
- [67a understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67a-understand-how-the-distribution-of-current-in-a-circuit-is-a-consequence-of/) (10 papers) — 12 · 2.9%
- [80 understand how changes of resistance with illumination may be modelled in terms of the number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to LDRs.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/80-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-illumination-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) (8 papers) — 8 · 2.0%
- [74 understand how the potential along a uniform current-carrying wire varies with the distance along it](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/74-understand-how-the-potential-along-a-uniform-current-carrying-wire-varies-with-the/) (7 papers) — 7 · 1.7%
- [72 CORE PRACTICAL 7: Determine the electrical resistivity of a material](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/72-core-practical-7-determine-the-electrical-resistivity-of-a-material/) (4 papers) — 6 · 1.5%

### Marks by subtopic

marks

- [68 be able to derive the equations for combining resistances in series and parallel using the principles of charge and energy conservation, and be able to use these equations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/68-be-able-to-derive-the-equations-for-combining-resistances-in-series-and-parallel/) (20 papers) — 118 · 10.9%
- [69 be able to use the equations $P=VI$, $W=VIt$ and be able to derive and use related equations, e.g. $P=I^{2}R$ and $P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/69-be-able-to-use-the-equations-p-vi-w-vit-and-be-able-to-derive-and-use-related/) (21 papers) — 117 · 10.8%
- [77 know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand what is meant by internal resistance and know how to distinguish between e.m.f. and terminal potential difference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/77-know-the-definition-of-electromotive-force-e-m-f-and-understand-what-is-meant-by/) (21 papers) — 106 · 9.8%
- [71 be able to use the equation $R=\frac{\rho l}{A}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/71-be-able-to-use-the-equation-r-frac-rho-l-a/) (22 papers) — 84 · 7.8%
- [76 be able to analyse potential divider circuits where one resistance is variable including thermistors and light dependent resistors (LDRs)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/76-be-able-to-analyse-potential-divider-circuits-where-one-resistance-is-variable/) (18 papers) — 83 · 7.7%
- [75 understand the principles of a potential divider circuit and understand how to calculate potential differences and resistances in such a circuit](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/75-understand-the-principles-of-a-potential-divider-circuit-and-understand-how-to/) (19 papers) — 81 · 7.5%
- [79 understand how changes of resistance with temperature may be modelled in terms of lattice vibrations and number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to metallic conductors and negative temperature coefficient thermistors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/79-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-temperature-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) (18 papers) — 70 · 6.5%
- [70 understand how to sketch, recognise and interpret current-potential difference graphs for components, including ohmic conductors, filament bulbs, thermistors and diodes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/70-understand-how-to-sketch-recognise-and-interpret-current-potential-difference/) (20 papers) — 67 · 6.2%
- [73 be able to use $I=nqvA$ to explain the large range of resistivities of different materials](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/73-be-able-to-use-i-nqva-to-explain-the-large-range-of-resistivities-of-different/) (22 papers) — 65 · 6.0%
- [66 understand that resistance is defined by $R=\frac{V}{I}$ and that Ohm's law is a special case when $I\propto V$ for constant temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/66-understand-that-resistance-is-defined-by-r-frac-v-i-and-that-ohm-s-law-is-a/) (14 papers) — 55 · 5.1%
- [78 CORE PRACTICAL 8: Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/78-core-practical-8-determine-the-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-of-an-electrical-cell/) (11 papers) — 47 · 4.4%
- [64 understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charged particles and be able to use the equation $I=\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/64-understand-that-electric-current-is-the-rate-of-flow-of-charged-particles-and-be/) (15 papers) — 39 · 3.6%
- [67b understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67b-understand-how-the-distribution-of-potential-differences-in-a-circuit-is-a/) (10 papers) — 34 · 3.2%
- [67a understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67a-understand-how-the-distribution-of-current-in-a-circuit-is-a-consequence-of/) (10 papers) — 32 · 3.0%
- [65 understand how to use the equation $V=\frac{W}{Q}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/65-understand-how-to-use-the-equation-v-frac-w-q/) (13 papers) — 31 · 2.9%
- [80 understand how changes of resistance with illumination may be modelled in terms of the number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to LDRs.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/80-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-illumination-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) (8 papers) — 22 · 2.0%
- [72 CORE PRACTICAL 7: Determine the electrical resistivity of a material](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/72-core-practical-7-determine-the-electrical-resistivity-of-a-material/) (4 papers) — 21 · 1.9%
- [74 understand how the potential along a uniform current-carrying wire varies with the distance along it](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/74-understand-how-the-potential-along-a-uniform-current-carrying-wire-varies-with-the/) (7 papers) — 7 · 0.6%

## Subtopic comparison matrix

Curriculum order is by syllabus number, then alphabetically. Every row links to the matching past-paper question list.

| Subtopic | Topic questions | Papers | Marks | Years | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **[64 understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charged particles and be able to use the equation $I=\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/64-understand-that-electric-current-is-the-rate-of-flow-of-charged-particles-and-be/)** | 17 | 15 | 39 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/64-understand-that-electric-current-is-the-rate-of-flow-of-charged-particles-and-be/) |
| **[65 understand how to use the equation $V=\frac{W}{Q}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/65-understand-how-to-use-the-equation-v-frac-w-q/)** | 17 | 13 | 31 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/65-understand-how-to-use-the-equation-v-frac-w-q/) |
| **[66 understand that resistance is defined by $R=\frac{V}{I}$ and that Ohm's law is a special case when $I\propto V$ for constant temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/66-understand-that-resistance-is-defined-by-r-frac-v-i-and-that-ohm-s-law-is-a/)** | 20 | 14 | 55 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/66-understand-that-resistance-is-defined-by-r-frac-v-i-and-that-ohm-s-law-is-a/) |
| **[67a understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67a-understand-how-the-distribution-of-current-in-a-circuit-is-a-consequence-of/)** | 12 | 10 | 32 | 2020–2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67a-understand-how-the-distribution-of-current-in-a-circuit-is-a-consequence-of/) |
| **[67b understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67b-understand-how-the-distribution-of-potential-differences-in-a-circuit-is-a/)** | 13 | 10 | 34 | 2020–2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67b-understand-how-the-distribution-of-potential-differences-in-a-circuit-is-a/) |
| **[68 be able to derive the equations for combining resistances in series and parallel using the principles of charge and energy conservation, and be able to use these equations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/68-be-able-to-derive-the-equations-for-combining-resistances-in-series-and-parallel/)** | 39 | 20 | 118 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/68-be-able-to-derive-the-equations-for-combining-resistances-in-series-and-parallel/) |
| **[69 be able to use the equations $P=VI$, $W=VIt$ and be able to derive and use related equations, e.g. $P=I^{2}R$ and $P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/69-be-able-to-use-the-equations-p-vi-w-vit-and-be-able-to-derive-and-use-related/)** | 42 | 21 | 117 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/69-be-able-to-use-the-equations-p-vi-w-vit-and-be-able-to-derive-and-use-related/) |
| **[70 understand how to sketch, recognise and interpret current-potential difference graphs for components, including ohmic conductors, filament bulbs, thermistors and diodes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/70-understand-how-to-sketch-recognise-and-interpret-current-potential-difference/)** | 30 | 20 | 67 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/70-understand-how-to-sketch-recognise-and-interpret-current-potential-difference/) |
| **[71 be able to use the equation $R=\frac{\rho l}{A}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/71-be-able-to-use-the-equation-r-frac-rho-l-a/)** | 29 | 22 | 84 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/71-be-able-to-use-the-equation-r-frac-rho-l-a/) |
| **[72 CORE PRACTICAL 7: Determine the electrical resistivity of a material](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/72-core-practical-7-determine-the-electrical-resistivity-of-a-material/)** | 6 | 4 | 21 | 2019–2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/72-core-practical-7-determine-the-electrical-resistivity-of-a-material/) |
| **[73 be able to use $I=nqvA$ to explain the large range of resistivities of different materials](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/73-be-able-to-use-i-nqva-to-explain-the-large-range-of-resistivities-of-different/)** | 29 | 22 | 65 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/73-be-able-to-use-i-nqva-to-explain-the-large-range-of-resistivities-of-different/) |
| **[74 understand how the potential along a uniform current-carrying wire varies with the distance along it](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/74-understand-how-the-potential-along-a-uniform-current-carrying-wire-varies-with-the/)** | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2021–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/74-understand-how-the-potential-along-a-uniform-current-carrying-wire-varies-with-the/) |
| **[75 understand the principles of a potential divider circuit and understand how to calculate potential differences and resistances in such a circuit](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/75-understand-the-principles-of-a-potential-divider-circuit-and-understand-how-to/)** | 28 | 19 | 81 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/75-understand-the-principles-of-a-potential-divider-circuit-and-understand-how-to/) |
| **[76 be able to analyse potential divider circuits where one resistance is variable including thermistors and light dependent resistors (LDRs)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/76-be-able-to-analyse-potential-divider-circuits-where-one-resistance-is-variable/)** | 26 | 18 | 83 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/76-be-able-to-analyse-potential-divider-circuits-where-one-resistance-is-variable/) |
| **[77 know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand what is meant by internal resistance and know how to distinguish between e.m.f. and terminal potential difference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/77-know-the-definition-of-electromotive-force-e-m-f-and-understand-what-is-meant-by/)** | 43 | 21 | 106 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/77-know-the-definition-of-electromotive-force-e-m-f-and-understand-what-is-meant-by/) |
| **[78 CORE PRACTICAL 8: Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/78-core-practical-8-determine-the-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-of-an-electrical-cell/)** | 17 | 11 | 47 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/78-core-practical-8-determine-the-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-of-an-electrical-cell/) |
| **[79 understand how changes of resistance with temperature may be modelled in terms of lattice vibrations and number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to metallic conductors and negative temperature coefficient thermistors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/79-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-temperature-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/)** | 26 | 18 | 70 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/79-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-temperature-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) |
| **[80 understand how changes of resistance with illumination may be modelled in terms of the number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to LDRs.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/80-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-illumination-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/)** | 8 | 8 | 22 | 2019–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/80-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-illumination-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) |

## Browse every topic question

- [64 understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charged particles and be able to use the equation $I=\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/64-understand-that-electric-current-is-the-rate-of-flow-of-charged-particles-and-be/) — 17 question items · 15 papers — 39 marks · 2019–2026
- [65 understand how to use the equation $V=\frac{W}{Q}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/65-understand-how-to-use-the-equation-v-frac-w-q/) — 17 question items · 13 papers — 31 marks · 2019–2026
- [66 understand that resistance is defined by $R=\frac{V}{I}$ and that Ohm's law is a special case when $I\propto V$ for constant temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/66-understand-that-resistance-is-defined-by-r-frac-v-i-and-that-ohm-s-law-is-a/) — 20 question items · 14 papers — 55 marks · 2020–2026
- [67a understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67a-understand-how-the-distribution-of-current-in-a-circuit-is-a-consequence-of/) — 12 question items · 10 papers — 32 marks · 2020–2025
- [67b understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/67b-understand-how-the-distribution-of-potential-differences-in-a-circuit-is-a/) — 13 question items · 10 papers — 34 marks · 2020–2025
- [68 be able to derive the equations for combining resistances in series and parallel using the principles of charge and energy conservation, and be able to use these equations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/68-be-able-to-derive-the-equations-for-combining-resistances-in-series-and-parallel/) — 39 question items · 20 papers — 118 marks · 2019–2026
- [69 be able to use the equations $P=VI$, $W=VIt$ and be able to derive and use related equations, e.g. $P=I^{2}R$ and $P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/69-be-able-to-use-the-equations-p-vi-w-vit-and-be-able-to-derive-and-use-related/) — 42 question items · 21 papers — 117 marks · 2019–2026
- [70 understand how to sketch, recognise and interpret current-potential difference graphs for components, including ohmic conductors, filament bulbs, thermistors and diodes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/70-understand-how-to-sketch-recognise-and-interpret-current-potential-difference/) — 30 question items · 20 papers — 67 marks · 2019–2026
- [71 be able to use the equation $R=\frac{\rho l}{A}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/71-be-able-to-use-the-equation-r-frac-rho-l-a/) — 29 question items · 22 papers — 84 marks · 2019–2026
- [72 CORE PRACTICAL 7: Determine the electrical resistivity of a material](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/72-core-practical-7-determine-the-electrical-resistivity-of-a-material/) — 6 question items · 4 papers — 21 marks · 2019–2025
- [73 be able to use $I=nqvA$ to explain the large range of resistivities of different materials](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/73-be-able-to-use-i-nqva-to-explain-the-large-range-of-resistivities-of-different/) — 29 question items · 22 papers — 65 marks · 2019–2026
- [74 understand how the potential along a uniform current-carrying wire varies with the distance along it](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/74-understand-how-the-potential-along-a-uniform-current-carrying-wire-varies-with-the/) — 7 question items · 7 papers — 7 marks · 2021–2026
- [75 understand the principles of a potential divider circuit and understand how to calculate potential differences and resistances in such a circuit](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/75-understand-the-principles-of-a-potential-divider-circuit-and-understand-how-to/) — 28 question items · 19 papers — 81 marks · 2019–2026
- [76 be able to analyse potential divider circuits where one resistance is variable including thermistors and light dependent resistors (LDRs)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/76-be-able-to-analyse-potential-divider-circuits-where-one-resistance-is-variable/) — 26 question items · 18 papers — 83 marks · 2019–2026
- [77 know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand what is meant by internal resistance and know how to distinguish between e.m.f. and terminal potential difference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/77-know-the-definition-of-electromotive-force-e-m-f-and-understand-what-is-meant-by/) — 43 question items · 21 papers — 106 marks · 2019–2026
- [78 CORE PRACTICAL 8: Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/78-core-practical-8-determine-the-e-m-f-and-internal-resistance-of-an-electrical-cell/) — 17 question items · 11 papers — 47 marks · 2019–2026
- [79 understand how changes of resistance with temperature may be modelled in terms of lattice vibrations and number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to metallic conductors and negative temperature coefficient thermistors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/79-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-temperature-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) — 26 question items · 18 papers — 70 marks · 2019–2026
- [80 understand how changes of resistance with illumination may be modelled in terms of the number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to LDRs.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/electric-circuits/80-understand-how-changes-of-resistance-with-illumination-may-be-modelled-in-terms-of/) — 8 question items · 8 papers — 22 marks · 2019–2026

## Other topics in WPH12

- [Waves and Particle Nature of Light 468 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-2-wph12/waves-and-particle-nature-of-light/)

## Topic question rules and edge cases

**How many subtopics does Electric Circuits contain?**

This page lists 18 subtopics tagged to the current syllabus. They are ordered by syllabus number, then alphabetically, and each row opens a page of matching past-paper questions.

**How are the subtopic question and mark totals calculated?**

A multiple-choice question contributes one item and its marks to every subtopic it is tagged with. A structured question contributes one item per tagged part, and that part’s marks; untagged parts of the same question are not counted here. A part tagged to several subtopics therefore appears under each of them.

**Why do some subtopics have no numbered prefix?**

Practical-skills statements and some syllabus bullets are unnumbered. Numbered statements come first; unnumbered statements and ties are sorted alphabetically.

**Is the LaTeX rendered without JavaScript?**

Yes. Subtopics that contain formulas are converted to static KaTeX HTML during the build, and the KaTeX stylesheet is served from the same site.

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