The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Honors Physics » Electric Circuits

Electric Circuits

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.

 

Day 1 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce Unit
  2. Discuss Electric Potential and Electric Potential Difference; use Electric Potential Difference Think Sheet
  3. Lab 1: Sparky the Electrician
    Do; post-lab; discuss the requirements of an electric circuit
  4. Discuss the Role of the "Battery"
    Charge pump; establish a ∆V across ends of circuit, provide E to move Q from - to + terminal
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC2 on Voltage


 

Day 2 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 2: First to Light
  2. Lab 3: Greatest Current
  3. Discuss Electric Current:
    Definition, cause of charge flow, equation (symbol, unit), conventional current direction
  4. Pair Practice: Electric Circuits and Electric Current Think Sheet
 
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 Light bulbs; anatomy; how current flows through a light bulb
  2. Concept Builder: Light Bulb Anatomy
  3. Discuss Resistance
    Definition; units; effect on current; variables affecting R; equation for resistance
  4. Pair Practice: Electrical Resistance Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
  2. Concept Builder: Resistance Ranking Tasks


 

Day 4 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 4 - Voltage-Current-Resistance
    Do and post-lab; generate equation relating I to ∆V and R
  2. Discuss schematic diagrams, starbursts and arrowtails
  3. Concept Builder: Current
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Part c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC4 on Resistance, Voltage, and Current


 

Day 5 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Lab 4; discuss proportional relationships
  2. Concept Builder: I=∆V/R Equations as a Guide to Thinking
  3. Discuss Electric Power
    Definition; units; relation to work, time, ∆V, and Q; relationship to ∆V, I, and R; derive equations
  4. Pair Practice: Electrical Power and Energy Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 2, Part 2 and Lesson 3, Part d
  2. Concept Builder: Case Studies - Electric Power


 

Day 6 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Demonstration Lab 5: Series vs. Parallel
    Post-lab patterns for # of resistance, bulb brightness, current, overall resistance, etc.
  2. Discuss the myriad of quantities, units, equations; discuss problem-solving
  3. Pair Practice: Mathematical Relationships in Circuits Think Sheet
  4. Start CalcPad - Circuits 1: Circuit Quantities
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
  2. CalcPad - Circuits 1: Circuit Quantities


 

Day 7 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Series vs. Parallel Circuits
  2. Lab 6 - Comparing Voltage Drops and Currents in Series
    Do and post-lab
  3. Guided/Individual/Pairs: Series Circuits Think Sheet (selected Qs)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part c
  2. CalcPad - Circuits 2: Circuit Quantities


 

Day 8 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Complete Series Circuits Think Sheet; make mathematical relationships clear
  2. Concept Builder: Series Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Master and Wizard Levels only)
  3. Start Minds On Physics: Mission EC7 on Series Circuits Concepts
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 3: Series Circuits
  2. Finish Minds On Physics: Mission EC7 on Series Circuits Concepts


 

Day 9 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 7 - Comparing Voltage Drops and Currents in Parallel
    Do and post-lab
  2. Guided/Individual/Pairs: Parallel Circuits Think Sheet (selected Qs)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part d


 

Day 10 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Complete Parallel Circuits Think Sheet; make mathematical relationships clear
  2. Concept Builder: Parallel Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Master and Wizard Levels only)
  3. Start Minds On Physics: Mission EC8 on Parallel Circuits Concepts
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 4: Parallel Circuits
  2. Complete Minds On Physics: Mission EC8 on Parallel Circuits Concepts


 

Day 11 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Series and Parallel Calculations
    Do #1, 2 on Circuit Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Lab 5 - Combination Circuits
    Do and Process
  3. Guided/Individual/Pairs: Combination Circuits Think Sheet

Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part e
  2. CalcPad - Circuits 5: Series and Parallel Circuits


 

Day 12 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Circuit Analysis
    Do #3 on Circuit Analysis Think Sheet
    Do #3, 1, and 2 on Still More Circuits Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Equivalent Resistance (with built-in Task Tracking)
  3. Concept Builder: Series vs. Parallel Circuit
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 6: Combination Circuits
  2. Finish Concept Builder: Series vs. Parallel Circuit


 

Day 13 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Selected problems from Still More Circuits Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder
    Use Voltage Drop Analysis Student Activity and follow it up with a Concept Checker
  3. Concept Builder: Know Your Potential
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 7: Circuit Analysis
  2. Finish Concept Builder: Know Your Potential


 

Day 14 of Electric Circuits

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

Lesson Plan
  1. Concept Builder: Which One Doesn't Belong? - Equivalent Resistance
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC9  on Series Circuit Calculations
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission EC10 on Parallel Circuit Calculations
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission EC11 on Combination Circuit Calculations
  5. Minds On Physics: Mission EC12 on Series and Parallel Circuit Calculations
  6. The Review Session - Electric Circuits

​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