Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Rc in Ac Lab
This lab was designed to help students understand the difference between circuits powered by DC and circuits powered by AC. Students can see that simple changes in frequency lead to changes in the potential difference across the...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Transformers
Use this interactive, simple transformer to make a complete circuit via induction using two separate coils with iron cores inside.
Curated OER
Electricity: Simple Circuits
Create your own simple electric circuit. Using simple supplies build your own battery and investigate conductivity. You can also construct a crossword puzzle with electrical vocabulary words.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Algebra: Determining Asymptotes by Division
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Solve circuitry problems that involve rational functions.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Electric Current
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The definition of electric current is explained and how to calculate an electric current. Includes links to resources for learning more about electricity, i.e., a...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Earth's Energy
A hands-on instructional activity for helping students understand simple circuits, series circuits, and parallel circuits, and the differences between the three.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Simple Circuitry and Series Circuit
A teacher lesson plan which could be easily converted into an idea for a student project or presentation. This page describes an activity in which the basic nature of a circuit and the concepts of a series circuit are investigated....
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Can You Resist This?
This lab demonstrates Ohm's law as students set up simple circuits each composed of a battery, lamp and resistor. Students calculate the current flowing through the circuits they create by solving linear equations. After solving for the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Conductivity
Students make a simple conductivity tester using a battery and light bulb. They learn the difference between conductors and insulators of electrical energy as they test a variety of materials for their ability to conduct electricity.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Potato Power
Students use potatoes to light an LED clock (or light bulb) as they learn how a battery works in a simple circuit and how chemical energy changes to electrical energy. As they learn more about electrical energy, they better understand...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Solar Cell Power Output vs. Temperature
Solar cells provide a clean way of making electricity directly from sunlight. In this project you will build a simple circuit and experimental setup to investigate whether the power output of a solar cell changes with ambient temperature.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pointing at Maximum Power for Pv
Student teams measure voltage and current in order to determine the power output of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. They vary the resistance in a simple circuit connected to the panel to demonstrate the effects on voltage, current, and power...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Saltwater Tester
Explore circuits and the flow of electricity. Create a saltwater tester using a battery and electrical buzzer.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Ohm's Law
For the teacher planning a lesson or for the student preparing for a project or presentation. This page describes a series of simple activities related to the voltage-current-resistance relationship.
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: How to Make Oxygen From a Battery
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This one...
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Led's
There are so many different types of LEDs on the market (even of the same size and color), how do you tell the difference between them and which one you should use for your particular application? The simple tests descibed here compare...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Sliding Light: How to Make a Dimmer Switch With a Pencil
In this electronics science fair project, students will make a simple dimmer switch and investigate the relationship between the resistance in the circuit and the amount of light produced. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Induced Current
A current can be induced in a conducting loop if it is exposed to a changing magnetic field. (Java tutorial)
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Interactive Physics for High School
This digital textbook covers core physics concepts and includes interactive features, real world examples, videos, and study guides.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy
Through nine lessons, students are introduced to a range of energy types--electrical, light, sound and thermal-as well as the renewable energy sources of wind, hydro (water) and solar power. Subjects range from understanding that the...
Walter Fendt
Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
Channel 4 Learning
4 L: Science Essentials: Get Physical
Find a review of many aspects of the physical world. Simple explanations of electricity, gravity, and the solar system. Included are materials for teachers to use for enrichment.
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Mobile Phone Absorption Wavemeter
An absorption wavemeter is a device which can make measurements on the strength of radio emissions and so this instrument is an essential item for investigating the mobile phone. In principle an absorption meter is a simple device that...
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Mini Light Beam Receiver
A very simple device to convert light into sound can be made by wiring a solar cell directly to headphones (or an earpiece). The solar cell converts light into electricity and the headphones convert electricity into sound. The limitation...