Lesson 5 of 9

Potential difference

Goal: Describe potential difference and how it is measured.

Puzzles for this lesson

Word search0 of 8 foundCrossword0 of 39 letters

Potential difference is the push that makes charge flow round a circuit. It is also called voltage.

A small round battery standing next to a larger rectangular battery
The small cell gives 1.5 V. The bigger battery has six cells inside it, so it gives 9 V: a bigger push.
V3 V

A voltmeter is connected across a part, in parallel with it.

  • Potential difference is measured in volts (V) with a voltmeter.
  • In series, the potential difference is shared between the parts.
  • In parallel, every branch gets the full potential difference of the battery.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

Check yourself

Knowledge organiser

This lesson on one page. Tap it to make it bigger.

Key words in this lesson

Parallel circuit A circuit with more than one branch

Potential difference The push that makes charge flow

Volt The unit of potential difference

Voltmeter Measures potential difference

Cell Pushes charge around a circuit

Battery Two or more cells joined together

For teachers: AQA 3.2.1 · Pearson Edexcel 32.1 to 32.4 · Cambridge 9Pe.02