Lesson 3.1.1

3.1.1 Current, charge and potential difference Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 3.1.1, Current, charge and potential difference: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 3: Electric Circuits, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. Electric current is defined as:

    • The force on a unit charge in a field.
    • The charge stored per unit potential difference.
    • The energy transferred per unit charge.
    • The rate of flow of charge, I = delta Q / delta t.

  2. Potential difference between two points is defined as:

    • The power divided by the time.
    • The resistance multiplied by the current.
    • The energy transferred per unit charge moved between the points, V = W/Q.
    • The charge passing per second.

  3. One coulomb of charge is equal to:

    • One joule per volt
    • One volt per second
    • One ampere second (A s)
    • One ampere per second (A/s)

  4. The magnitude of the charge on one electron is approximately:

    • 9.1 x 10^-31 C
    • 1.6 x 10^-19 C
    • 1.6 x 10^-19 A
    • 6.0 x 10^23 C

  5. A current of 0.50 A flows for 2.0 minutes. What charge passes a point?

    • 0.25 C
    • 120 C
    • 1.0 C
    • 60 C

  6. A current of 1 A flows in a wire. Approximately how many electrons pass a point each second?

    • 1.6 x 10^19
    • 6.3 x 10^15
    • 1.6 x 10^-19
    • 6.3 x 10^18

  7. A charge of 12 C passes a point in 4.0 s. What is the current?

    • 8.0 A
    • 3.0 A
    • 48 A
    • 0.33 A

  8. A charge of 4.0 C gains 36 J of energy as it passes through a component. What is the potential difference across it?

    • 144 V
    • 40 V
    • 0.11 V
    • 9.0 V

  9. A 6.0 V supply drives a current of 0.25 A through a lamp for 60 s. How much energy is transferred?

    • 1.5 J
    • 90 J
    • 15 J
    • 360 J

  10. A current of 2.0 mA flows for 5.0 minutes. What charge passes through the circuit?

    • 10 C
    • 0.60 C
    • 0.67 C
    • 0.0020 C

  11. In a circuit, the conventional current outside the cell flows:

    • From the positive terminal, through the external circuit, to the negative terminal.
    • Only in the direction of electron flow.
    • From the negative terminal, through the external circuit, to the positive terminal.
    • Only in the direction of the cell's internal resistance.

  12. How long does it take for 1.0 C of charge to pass a point in a wire carrying a current of 2.0 mA?

    • 0.0020 s
    • 500 s
    • 5.0 x 10^2 ms
    • 2.0 s

  13. A current of 2.0 mA flows in a wire. How many electrons pass a point each second?

    • 1.25 x 10^16
    • 2.0 x 10^16
    • 1.25 x 10^19
    • 3.2 x 10^-16

  14. A cell transfers 120 J of energy as 40 C of charge moves through it. What is the emf of the cell?

    • 30 V
    • 0.33 V
    • 4.8 V
    • 3.0 V

  15. A 4.0 V lamp carries a current of 2.0 A for 5.0 minutes. How much energy is transferred?

    • 2400 J
    • 40 J
    • 4800 J
    • 600 J

  16. A current of 3.0 A flows for 10 s. Which expression gives the number of coulombs of charge?

    • Q = I/t = 0.30 C
    • Q = I + t = 13 C
    • Q = I x t = 30 C
    • Q = I^2 t = 90 C

  17. Which statement explains why the current in a circuit responds almost instantly to a switch being closed, even though electrons drift slowly?

    • The electric field is established throughout the circuit at close to the speed of light.
    • Electrons are pushed by the cell to the lamp in a single pulse.
    • The lamp produces electrons that travel instantly.
    • Electrons travel from the cell to the lamp at the speed of light.

  18. A 15 A current flows through a heater for 2.0 hours. What charge flows?

    • 7.5 x 10^0 C
    • 1.1 x 10^5 C
    • 1.8 x 10^3 C
    • 30 C

  19. A battery supplies 36 kJ of energy when 9.0 kC of charge passes through it. What is its emf?

    • 0.25 V
    • 4.0 V
    • 40 V
    • 324 V

  20. A 12 V lamp has a current of 2.0 A flowing for 30 s. How much energy is transferred to the lamp?

    • 720 J
    • 180 J
    • 1440 J
    • 6.0 J

All Pearson Edexcel Physics quizzes