Can you please explain the basics of electricity? I can do the maths but I don't understand what 'voltage', 'current' or 'resistance' actually is!

The fundamental unit of electricity is 'charge'. Each electron is slightly negatively charged and it is this movement of charge around a circuit which powers our appliances. The speed of the electrons/the number of electrons which are flowing per second is known as the 'current'.To get these electrons moving, we need to apply a "pushing force". This is done by supplying a 'potential difference' a.k.a. a 'voltage'. If we increase the voltage, each electron has more energy; this means our circuit can run more power-hungry components. Equally, the greater the "pushing force" (voltage), the faster the flow (current).Each component within a circuit will have a certain amount of 'resistance'. This is like a "blocking force" and reduces the flow of electrons (current).

AM
Answered by Alex M. Physics tutor

3660 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A balloon's volume is 0.002m^3 at room temperature (20°C). What volume will the balloon occupy when it is cooled to -5°C? Give your answer to 3 significant figures.


Explain why the stability of a car can be improved by widening the wheel base and lowering the centre of gravity.


What is terminal velocity and what causes it?


What is cosmic microwave background, and where does it come from?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning