Lesson Plans || Learning Outcomes and Activities || Teacher Notes || Labs

 

 

Day 1 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Introduce Unit
2. Discuss Electric Potential and Electric Potential Difference; use Electric Potential Difference Think Sheet (1)
3. Lab 1: Sparky the Electrician
   Do; post-lab; discuss the requirements of an electric circuit

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c

 

Day 2 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Review Sparky the Electrician Lab; requirements of an electric circuit; role of the battery
2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC2 on Voltage
3. Lab 2 - Charge Flow in Wires
   Investigate amount and dir'n of charge flow at multiple locations in a multi-bulb (all identical) circuit using compass needle deflections; which bulb lights first? lights brightest? Investigate the effect of # of cells and # of bulbs on current

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 2, Parts a, b, and c
2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC1 on Electric Current

 

Day 3 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Electric Current:
   Definition; conventional current; equation; unit; everywhere the same; the effect of # of cells and # of bulbs on current; introduce arrowtails and starbursts
2. Pair Practice: Electric Current Think Sheet (2)
   Do; check answers; then ...
3. Concept Builder: Current

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
2. If not done in class, complete Current Concept Builder

 

Day 4 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Lab 3 - Bulb and Socket Analysis
   Build a circuit for testing conductance of materials; use test circuit to test the conducting pathway of a bulb and a socket
2. Discuss light bulb and socket analogy; guided/pair/individual practice with Light Bulb Anatomy Think Sheet (3)
3. Concept Builder: Light Bulb Anatomy

 
Homework/Announcements

1. If not done in class, complete Light Bulb Anatomy

 

Day 5 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Lab 4 - Resistance
   Investigate the effect of adding a 2nd and 3rd bulb on the amount of compass needle deflection and bulb brightness; compare observations to the effect of adding a carbon resistor to a circuit. Then use an air flow model as an analogy to charge flow; empty your air-filled lungs through a coffee stirrer, a straw, and a milkshake straw; empty your air-filled lungs through a short straw and a long straw; empty your lungs through four straws arranged side-by-side and four straws arranged end-to-end. Draw conclusions about what affects resistance. 
2. Discuss Resistance
   Cause; variables affecting (width, length, and material)
3. Concept Builder: Resistance Ranking Tasks

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
2. If not done in class, complete Concept Builder: Resistance Ranking Tasks

 

Day 6 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Lab 5 - The Greatest Resistance Bulb
   Acquire two bulbs - Bulb A (low R) and Bulb B (high R). Compare current in Circuit #1 (two Bulb A circuits in series) to Circuit #2 (Bulbs A + B in series). Then inspect and compare the diameter of a connecting wire, a supporting filament wire, and a filament wire of a light bulb using a microscope. Inspect the Bulb A and Bulb B filaments for their relative diameter. Conclude about what makes a high R bulb have the greater resistance.
2. Science Reasoning Center: Light Bulb Resistance
3. Quick Quiz on Learning Outcomes #1-4

 
Homework/Announcements

1. If not done in class, complete Science Reasoning Center: Light Bulb Resistance

 

Day 7 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Student Activity Sheet (∆V=I•R)
   Do and post-lab; discuss ∆V-I-R relationship
2. Pair Practice: What Affects Current? Think Sheet (4)
   Do; check answers; it time allows ... 
3. Circuit Builder Simulation - ∆V-I-R Relationship Concept Checker

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Part c
2. Circuit Builder Simulation - ∆V-I-R Relationship Concept Checker

 

Day 8 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Review I = ∆V / R; ∆V-I-R Relationship Think Sheet (5)
2. Concept Builder: I=∆V/R Equations as a Guide to Thinking
3. Lab 6 - Series vs. Parallel Circuits (Demonstration Lab)

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
2. CalcPad: Circuits 1 on ∆V-I-R Relationship

 

Day 9 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Review/Pair Practice: Series vs. Parallel Circuits Think Sheet (6)
2. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Student Activity Sheet (Series Circuits)
   Do and post-lab
3. Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: Series Circuit - Concepts Think Sheet (7)
4. Circuit Builder Simulation - Series Circuits Concept Checker

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part c
2. If not done in class, complete Circuit Builder Simulation - Series Circuits

 

Day 10 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Series Circuits
   Single pathway; effect of more resistors; equivalent resistance; current the same in each resistor; battery voltage = ∑voltage drops
2. Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: Series Circuits – Mathematics Think Sheet (8)
3. Minds On Physics: Mission EC7 on Series Circuit Concepts
4. CalcPad: Circuits 2 on Series Circuits

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part c
2. If not done in class, complete: Mission EC7 || Circuits 2 on Series Circuits

 

Day 11 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Student Activity Sheet (Parallel Circuits)
   Do and post-lab
2. Discuss Parallel Circuits
   Multiple pathways (branches); effect of more resistors; equivalent resistance; ∆V the same for each branch; current in battery = ∑current in branches
3. Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: Parallel Circuits - Concepts Think Sheet (9)
4. Circuit Builder Simulation - Parallel Circuits Concept Checker on Parallel Circuits

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part d
2. If not done in class, complete Circuit Builder Simulation - Parallel Circuits

 

Day 12 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Review Parallel Circuits
2. Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: Parallel Circuits - Mathematics Think Sheet (10)
3. Minds On Physics: Mission EC8 on Parallel Circuits Concepts
4. CalcPad: Circuits 3 on Parallel Circuits

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part d
2. If not done in class, complete: Mission EC8 || Circuits 3 on Parallel Circuits

 

Day 13 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Review/Catch-up/More Math Practice
2. Concept Builder: Know Your Potential
3. Concept Builder: Series Versus Parallel

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Complete: Know Your Potential || Series Versus Parallel

 

Day 14 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan

1. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Student Activity Sheet (Voltage Drops)
   Do and post-lab
2. Circuit Builder Simulation - Voltage Drop Concept Checker
3. If time allows: Physics Interactives: Equivalent Resistance (Levels 1 - 8 only)

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Parts c and d
2. Physics Interactives: Equivalent Resistance (Levels 1 - 8 only)
3. If not done in class, complete Circuit Builder Simulation - Voltage Drop

 

Day 15 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
 

1. Concept Builder: Which One Doesn't Belong? - Equivalent Resistance
2. Concept Builder: Series Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Apprentice and Master Levels only)
3. Concept Builder: Parallel Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Apprentice and Master Level only)
4. Minds On Physics: Mission EC4  on Resistance, Voltage, and Current
5. Minds On Physics: Mission EC5  on Voltage, and Current, Resistance Calculations
6. Minds On Physics: Mission EC9  on Series Circuit Calculations
7. Minds On Physics: Mission EC10 on Parallel Circuit Calculations
8. Minds On Physics: Mission EC12 on Series and Parallel Circuit Calculations

​NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.

Homework/Announcements

1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
2. Complete all unfinished work