SC.912.P.10.15

In this simple lab lesson, students will work in cooperative groups to construct simple series and parallel circuits. They will compare energy flow in circuits by observing lamp brightness as they change components in the various circuits.

Note: This lesson does not cover the "power" element of the standard chosen.

Type: Lesson Plan

An engineer that has previously worked on the F-22 Raptor explains how resistivity in wires plays a role in the development of a large machine.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Physics is cool, especially if you want to make super-cold, super-efficient, superconductive materials.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

See the light when this math teacher explains how he figured out energy system needs for a cross-Pacific kayak trip.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth[.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Using this case study, students can discuss, "How does data deficiency impact autonomous robot performance?"

Type: Text Resource

Learn how to build a circuit
Show the difference between AC and DC
Describe the effect of an inductor on a circuit
Describe the effect of a capacitor on a circuit
Learn how to use an ammeter and a voltmeter in a circuit

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Learn how to build a circuit

Learn how to measure voltage in a circuit using a voltmeter

Determine the resistance of certain objects that can be used as part of an electric circuit

Explain the difference between parallel and series circuits

Type: Virtual Manipulative

This simulation will allow you to look inside a battery to see how it works. You will be able to select the battery voltage and see the movement of the charges from one end of the battery to the other. A voltmeter will tell the resulting battery voltage.
Some of the sample learning goals can be:

• Do the small blue spheres represent positive or negative charges?
• Which side of the battery is labeled positive, and which side is negative?
• How can you determine which side of the battery is positive and negative just by the location of the blue charges?

Type: Virtual Manipulative

This virtual manipulative will allow the user to see how the equation form of ohm's law relates to a simple circuit. Learners can adjust the voltage and resistance, and see the current change according to Ohm's law. The size of the symbols in the equation change to match the circuit diagram.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Explore how a capacitor works in this simulation. Change the plates and add a dielectric to see how it affects capacitance. Change the voltage and see charges built up on the plates. You can observe the electric field in the capacitor, measure voltage and the electric field.

Other investigations can include:

• Determine the relationship between charge and voltage for a capacitor.
• Determine the energy stored in a capacitor or a set of capacitors in a circuit.
• Explore the effect of space and dielectric materials inserted between the conductors of the capacitor in a circuit.
• Determine the equivalent capacitance of a set of capacitors in series and in parallel in a circuit.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

This manipulative will help the students to learn about the physics of resistance in a wire. The electrical resistance of a wire would be expected to be greater for a longer wire, less for a wire of larger cross sectional area, and would be expected to depend upon the material out of which the wire is made, to understand this, students can change the resistivity, length, and area to see how they affect the wire's resistance. The sizes of the symbols in the equation change along with the diagram of a wire.
Some of the sample learning goals can be:

• What characteristics of a resistor are variable in this model?
• How does each affect the resistance (will increasing or decreasing each make the resistance correspondingly increase or decrease?)
• Explain your ideas about why they change the resistance.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

An electronic kit in your computer! Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view.

Other options for exploration:

• Discuss basic electricity relationships
• Build circuits from schematic drawings.
• Use an ammeter and voltmeter to take readings in circuits.
• Provide reasoning to explain the measurements and relationship in circuits.
• Discuss basic electricity relationships in series and parallel circuits.
• Provide reasoning to explain the measurements in circuits.
• Determine the resistance of common objects in the "Grab Bag".

Type: Virtual Manipulative

This simulation demonstrates how a resistor works and the relationship between voltage, current and resistance. A change in temperature is also recorded with varying the parameters.
The students will be shown the flow of electrons to make a fan spin. The more resistance that they put the slower the elctrons will move and vice versa. The students will also see the power generated by the battery.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

The students will have the opportunity to build their own circuit loop with the materials presented to them.

Type: Virtual Manipulative