Students will understand that current is measured in amps using and ammeter and voltage is measured in volts using a voltmeter. They will understand that when a circuit is connected in series:
* voltages add up for components
* currents are the same through all components
When a circuit is connected in parallel:
* voltages are the same across all components
* currents add up for components
You will be able to connect a simple circuit with a power source and globes in series and in parallel, and measure the current and voltage at different points on the circuit. You will complete the measurements of current and voltage that show the differences between series and parallel circuits.
Simulate simple circuits at this BBC interactive site: Circuits and Conductors. and Changing Circuits. Try Learning Circuits at FlashMain. You can find out more information about series and parallel circuits at the Electronics Club. “All About Circuits” explains how voltage, current and resistance relate to each other. Gary Fallidou has produced some excellent videos demonstrating different simple circuits. Choose one video and let me know what you learnt in the comments secion below. You can download Crocodile Clips free for student use at home to learn more about electronic circuits. This site has a whole lot more links to games and activities to help you learm more about simple circuits.
Students are learning to identify the important components of an electric circuit and describe how it works.
You will be able to collect the materials and connect them together to create a torch which includes a globe, switch, wires, batteries and reflector.
This week you will draw what you think is inside a torch (without dismantling it!) and then, after some discussion about the essential components, construct your own torch from simple materials. Imagine you are driving down the back paddock with Dad, and you get bogged in the ute. Dad has to walk back to get the tractor, to pull the ute out. It’s getting dark, so Dad tells you to wait in the car until he gets back. You look in the glovebox and find the following materials:
You unscrew the globe from the overhead light in the ute and start to make a torch. Your torch needs to be operated with one hand, and have a switch that turns the light on and off. A good torch will be able to direct a beam of light and have no loose wires or dangly bits. When you have finished please leave me a comment about what you found easy, what was more difficult and what you learnt from this activity. What do you think is the most important part of the torch?
This is the link to our Elluminate session on Tuesday 19th July during periods 5 and 6:
You will need headphones, a microphone and an Internet connection. Please observe the appropriate online protocols and enjoy this session.
This week I will be away from school, attending the 6th World Environmental Education Congress in Brisbane. I attended the same conference four years ago in Durban, South Africa, but this time I will be presenting a workshop with researchers from RMIT University, about the Education for Sustainability work we do here at Hawkesdale P12 College. While I am away Mr Becker will be taking my classes.
Year 7 students will be doing some practial experriments with light and sound – you may like to make a musical instrument at home, bring it into school and explain how it works.
Year 8 students will be starting a unit of work on Electricity. You will learn about conductors, resistors and insulators, series and parallel circuits, volts and amps and circuit diagrams. When I get back you will be able to make a torch from common household materials – a cardboard tube, batteries, aluminium foil, globe, paper clip, wires and sticky tape.