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The documents and all material contained therein are © Dean Baird. All rights reserved. They may be used by teachers and students for classroom instruction. Beyond that, no part of these documents may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
| GUIDES | |
| 1 | Electricity
Examples Definitions of quantities, explanations of equations, worked out example problems. |
| 2 |
Batteries
and
Current Gives a brief history and explanation of the battery and a definition of current. |
| 3 |
Circuit
Basics Pretty standard discussion of what happens in a simple electric circuit. |
| 4 |
The Slider
Circuit Describes an analogy between electric circuits and playground slides. |
| 5 | Series
Circuits Describes the series circuit and how it differs from the simple circuit. |
| 6 |
Parallel
Circuits Describes the parallel circuit and how it differs from the simple circuit. |
| 7 |
Resistance How resistance depends on length, cross-sectional area, and resistivity of a conductor. |
| JOBS | |
| 1 |
Analog
Measurement Technique 2 - Answers - Presentation (QuickTime) Measurement involving a digit of estimation on the arcing scale of a voltmeter or ammeter. |
| 2 |
Current and Voltage Springboard
- Answers
- Presentation (QuickTime) Mechanical analogies for developing the meanings of current and voltage. |
| 3 |
Understanding
the
Slide Uses the analogy comparing simple circuits to playground slides to conceptually develop Ohm's Law. |
| 4 |
Bun-Burning
Power - Answers Uses the analogy comparing simple circuits to playground slides to conceptually develop Joule's Law. |
| 5 |
Simple
Circuit
Wrap-Up - Answers
- Presentation
(QuickTime) Review of the principles and ratios concerning the simple circuit. |
| 6 |
Series for Realsies From abstract to concrete: numerical patterns in series circuits. |
| 7 |
Series
Circuits Springboard - Answers - Presentation (QuickTime) Uses the slide analogy to teach the numerical relations between current, voltage, resistance, and power in series circuits. |
| 8 |
Series
Circuits Number Puzzles - Answers Numerical problems to be solved using Ohm's law, Joule's law, and the principles of series circuits. |
| 9 |
Parallel for Realsies From abstract to concrete: numerical patterns in parallel circuits. |
| 10 |
Parallel
Circuits Springboard - Answers - Presentation
(QuickTime) Uses the slide analogy to teach the numerical relations between current, voltage, resistance, and power in parallel circuits. |
| 11 |
Parallel
Circuits Number Puzzles - Answers Numerical problems to be solved using Ohm's law, Joule's law, and the principles of parallel circuits. |
| 12 |
More
Circuits Number Puzzles - Answers Numerical problems to be solved using Ohm's law, Joule's law, and the principles of series and parallel circuits. |
| 12 |
Springboard:
Resistance is NOT Futile - Answers Building the Law of Resistance conceptually, one variable at a time. |
| LABS - The unlinked titles below are available in the Conceptual Physics lab manual from Pearson Education - Amazon link | |
| 1 |
Ohm, Ohm on the Range Hands-on development of Ohm's Law. Introduces ammeters, voltmeters, and power supplies. |
| 2 | Batteries and Bulbs Given a battery, bulb, and wire, construct a working circuit. And other conceptual adventures in simple circuitry. |
| DEMO | |
| Brainiacs: Electric Fence
- Presentation (QuickTime—BIG
FILE!) A nicely produced segment from the British series, Brainiac: Science Abuse. I chopped it up to allow for inquiry, debate, and discussion. Highly recommended! |
|
| OTHER | |
| 1 |
Mechanical
Universe: Simple DC Circuits [Teachers Pay
Teachers] This episode covers current electricity, Ohm's law, and even Kirchoff's laws. Alternate forms accommodate students seated side-by-side. |
| 2 |
Circuits Crossword Puzzle Grid - Clues Crossword puzzles are highly personalized and may not always translate well from my classroom to yours. |
| 3 |
PracTest and
Answers |
Click here for a legend and explanation of cryptic terms and abbreviations.
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