This experiment consists of modifying a circuit. A battery has a positive and negative terminal that creates a potential difference. This is frequently, but erroneously, taken as being equivalent to potential energy. They are not identical. Potential difference is proportional to potential energy and the two can be related via the work done per unit charge.
Resistance inhibits the amount of current running along the circuit.
The greater the resistance, the lower the current. Resistance is a bit like inertia in mechanics. Amps are the unit of current and current is the amount of electrons that flow down the wire per unit time. This current is converted to power by the resistive element inside the light bulb. The length of time that you leave the light bulb on determines the total amount of energy which has been used.