Consumers Energy
Circuits and the Flow of Electricity Lesson Plan
I think I lost an electron. Are you sure? Yes, I'm positive! Starting with a hands-on demonstration and problem solving activity, young scientists define vocabulary related to circuitry and currents. Then they build their own circuits...
Curated OER
Resistor and Resistance
Students explore electrical resistance through various experiments. For this physics lesson, students calculate resistance using a mathematical formula. They explain how colors identify the resistance value of a resistor.
Curated OER
WiTricity Explained
Learners explain how electricity is transferred from source to load without actual wires connecting the two. In this physics lesson, students explore how wireless electricity was discovered. They cite practical applications of this...
Curated OER
Galvanometers
Students construct their own galvanometer. In this physics lesson, students explain how it is used to detect electric current. They conduct an experiment to measure how much electricity flows through the circuit.
Curated OER
Van de Graaff Generator
High schoolers explore static electricity using the Van de Graaff generator. In this physics lesson, students construct their own Van de Graaff using simple materials. They explain how charges accumulate on this device.
Curated OER
Rechargeable Batteries
High schoolers explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their...
Curated OER
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Experiments
Young scholars conduct a series of experiment on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. In this physics lesson, students explain how they operate. They compare the efficiency and power rating of both bulbs.
Curated OER
Dependence of Light Intensity on Distance
Hopefully you have a sensor interface for your physics class to use with graphing calculators when collecting data with a light sensor. If so, read on. Use this resource for learners to predict and then test whether or not the intensity...
Virginia Department of Education
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
How can one easily classify metals, nonmetals, and metalloids? Pupils answer this question as they experiment with unknown substances and perform tests on conductivity, brittleness, and malleability to determine which unknown belongs in...
PHET
Faraday's Law
Could a flux capacitor really work? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to investigate Faraday's law. They experiment with various speeds, magnitude, voltage, and different-sized coils. Hopefully experimenters will be able to...
Curated OER
Build a Tesla Coil
Students explore tesla coil through various experiments. In this physics lesson, students build their own tesla coils based on a given procedure. They discuss its real world applications.
Curated OER
Introduction to Magnets
Students explore magnetism, electromagnetism, and static electricity through a series of activities and experiments. In this magnets lesson, students use magnets to observe the forces of attraction and repulsion between different poles....
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Lab
Young scholars investigate electricity. In this Physics lesson, students experiment with insulators and conductors of electricity. Young scholars use batteries as the energy source for the experiment.
Curated OER
Basic Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
In this electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction worksheet, high schoolers answer 12 questions about electricity, about the magnetic fields in given diagrams, about the right-hand rule and about electric current and voltage in...
Curated OER
The Phantom of the Computer Lab
High schoolers calculate the power consumption of computers in school. In this physics instructional activity, students design an experiment to determine whether the school should unplug computers at the end of the day. They collect data...
Curated OER
Getting A Charge Out of the Sky
Students investigate electricity from the sky. In this electricity lesson, students participate in an experiment to simulate the electric charges from the sky. Students discuss results.
Curated OER
Deducing Induction
High schoolers examine how changing magnetic fields induce currents in
loops and coils, determine orientation and magnitude of magnetic field,
describe Michael Faraday's experiments that led to conclusion that changing
magnetic force...
Curated OER
Differential Transistor Amplifiers
In this electrical worksheet, students draw a schematic design and build a circuit board to grasp the understanding of differential transistor amplifiers before answering a series of 19 open-ended questions. Students analyze schematic...
Curated OER
Power Conversion Circuits
In this electrical activity, students draw a schematic design and build a circuit board to grasp the understanding of power conversion circuits before answering a series of 30 open-ended questions including analyzing schematics. This...
Virginia Department of Education
States and Forms of Energy
Energy is just energy, right? Explain various forms of energy to your young scientists by using an interactive experiment that contains common objects to demonstrate complex concepts. Pupils conduct experiments for radiant, thermal,...
IOP Institute of Physics
Physics in Concert
What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and electricity, young...
It's About Time
Detect and Induce Currents
Young scientists recreate an 1820 experiment and build off of it to investigate how to detect and induce electrical currents. As a final activity, scholars answer questions in multiple formats.
Curated OER
Introduction to Electric Circuits
High schoolers explore using a circuit board in this physics lesson. They will analyze current and battery set up on a circuit board. Teachers check the board before the students experiment.
Consumers Energy
Conductors and Insulators
Why did the orchestra director use a copper baton? She heard it makes a great conductor. Scholars select six items to test in a circuit to determine if each is a conductor or an insulator. Clear instructions for using electricity allow...