When the current through an ohmic conductor is 2A, the potential difference across it is 6V. What is the potential difference across the same ohmic conductor when the current is increased to 3A?

To answer this, you need to pick up on the clues in the question. "Ohmic conductor" is explicitly mentioned twice, so this is likely to be important. You should know that for ohmic conductors, p.d. is proportional to current, which means p.d./current=constant (called the constant of proportionality). You can calculate the constant from the first part of the question, 6/2=3.Now you know the constant, rearrange the equation to make what you want to find out, the p.d., the subject:p.d.=constantcurrentNow, you can use this equation and put in the numbers you know: p.d.=33=9V (don't forget the units!)If you'd prefer, you can also solve this using a graph. Draw a straight-line graph that cuts through zero-zero, with p.d. on the y-axis and current on the x-axis. The constant of proportionality is the gradient of the line, and can be found by finding difference in two y values (6-0) and dividing by difference in two x values (2-0). You can then use the equation above to find the p.d. in the second scenario, and you should get the same answer, 9V.

Answered by Eleanor Grace G. Physics tutor

2949 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the charge that flows past a point in a circuit with a 5.0A current for five minutes.


What is the equation linking Power, Time, and energy? and Calculate the work done by a cyclist when his power output is 200 W for 1800 seconds?.


A person swims from a depth of 0.5m to 1.7m below the surface of the sea. Denisty Sea Water = 1030 kg/m^3. g=Gravitational Field Strength = 9.8 N/kg. Calculate the change in pressure on the swimmer and give the unit.


Astronauts on the ISS orbit Earth 16 times a day at a height of 400km above the surface. Given that the radius of Earth is approximately 6400km, how fast are the astronauts travelling?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences