Electric Circuits
Revision as of 11:03, 27 June 2024 by Anusha sharma (talk | contribs)
Resources:
PhET simulation – DC electric circuit lab, simple circuit kit with battery, wires, bulb, switch
Learning objectives:
- Understanding different components of an electric circuit
- Understanding open and closed circuits
- Learning to construct a circuit using basic components such as battery, wires, bulb, switch
- Exploring conductivity
Some observed misconceptions in students that can be addressed through discussions during the transaction of this module:
- Connecting a battery and a bulb using a single wire makes it a circuit
- Current is ‘used up’ as it flows round the circuit
- It is not possible to construct a circuit without switch
- It is not possible to construct a circuit without a bulb / Current needs a bulb to flow through
- A battery, bulb, switch and wire are all necessary to construct a circuit and it is not possible if any of these components is not available
- Current does not flow when the battery is reversed
- Length of wire used may affect the speed of current and the brightness of the bulb
Session details:
- Begin the session with asking students what they know about circuits, discuss what it could mean. Analogy of water current flow can be used to explain current flow.
- Open the PhET simulation and show the basic components available and ask students what is needed to make a circuit.
- Ask them to draw a circuit in their note books that can make a light bulb glow. Recreate a few of the drawn circuits on the PhET simulation
- Next ask students what may happen if the battery is reversed, whether the bulb would still glow and discuss their hypotheses. Reverse the terminals and run the simulation
- Ask students what is the function of a switch and why it is needed. Next ask them to redraw their circuits connecting a switch
- Recreate some of the circuits for demonstration
- Ask students whether it is possible to create a circuit using only a battery and wires. Ask them to try drawing such a circuit and what would happen in that case.
- Discuss about short circuits
- Connect different items to check for conductivity. Ask students to predict and then show the simulation
- Discuss conductors and insulators
- Divide students into groups and have them construct an actual circuit using simple electric components
- Discuss what the light bulb could be replaced with – motor, buzzer, etc.