The links on the table below lead to portable document files that can be viewed and printed on any computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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 | Simple
Circuits Sets the standard by which all other circuits will be compared. Sort of a "Coach Smith" of circuits. |
| 2 | Series
Circuits Describes the series circuit and how it differs from the simple circuit. |
| 3 | Parallel
Circuits Describes the parallel circuit and how it differs from the simple circuit. |
| JOBS | |
| 1 | Series Circuits
Springboard - Answers
- Presentation (QuickTime) Uses the slide analogy to teach the numerical relations between current, voltage, resistance, and power in series circuits. |
| 2 | Parallel
Circuits Springboard - Answers - Presentation
(QuickTime) Uses the slide analogy to teach the numerical relations between current, voltage, resistance, and power in parallel circuits. |
| 3 | Series
Circuits Number Puzzles - Answers Numerical problems to be solved using Ohm's law, Joule's law, and the principles of series circuits. |
| 4 | Parallel
Circuits Number Puzzles - Answers Numerical problems to be solved using Ohm's law, Joule's law, and the principles of parallel circuits. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 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! |
|
| LABS | |
| 1 | Batteries
and
Bulbs Given a battery, bulb, and wire, construct a working circuit. And other conceptual adventures in simple circuitry. LabNotes Keynote Presentation |
| 2 | An
Open and Short Case Determine the difference between an open circuit and a short circuit. LabNotes Keynote Presentation |
| 3 | Be the
Battery! Using the Genecon to power a circuit, feel what it's like to power a short circuit, an open circuit, and a normal circuit. One of those will wear you down fast. |
| 4 |
Current
Events
I
- Simple Circuits An investigation of numerical patterns in current, voltage, resistance, and power in simple circuits. |
| 5 |
Current Events II
- Series Circuits An investigation of numerical patterns in current, voltage, resistance, and power in series circuits. |
| 6 |
Current Events
III - Parallel Circuits An investigation of numerical patterns in current, voltage, resistance, and power in parallel circuits. |
| OTHER | |
| 1 2 |
Circuits
Begins With an M Part of the "Physics Begins with an M" series. Make a transperency and put it on the overhead on the first day of the unit to enhance curiousity in the material of the unit. Circuits Begins With an M Keynote A nifty Keynote presentation of the M's. (Keynote is Apple's presentation software; PowerPoint is Microsoft's presentation software.) Trust me, neither Keynote nor PowerPoint are The Great Saviors of education. I recommend using them sparingly if at all. Better to teach! |
| 3 | Mechanical
Universe: Simple DC Circuits This episode covers current electricity, Ohm's law, and even Kirchoff's laws. Alternate forms accommodate students seated side-by-side. |
| 4 | Circuits Crossword Puzzle Grid - Clues Crossword puzzles are highly personalized and may not always translate well from my classroom to yours. |
| 5 | NEW: PracTest
Complete OLD: Practice Test Questions - Answers Sample test questions covering electric circuits. |
Click here for a legend and explanation of cryptic terms and abbreviations.
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