# A student notices that when she connects a longer wire between two points in a circuit, the lamp in the circuit becomes dimmer. Explain why increasing the length of the wire causes the current in the circuit to decrease.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 7.1 Current, potential difference and resistance · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Resistance of the wire increases as its length increases
2. A longer wire has more collisions between electrons and the atoms/ions of the wire
3. Greater resistance means a greater opposition to the flow of charge/current
4. For the same potential difference, a higher resistance results in a lower current (correct link using V = IR or equivalent reasoning)

## Key terms

- [current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/current)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-notices-that-when-she-6c84ecb0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.