IPC Unit 6: Electricity

During this Unit

This unit focuses on the effects of electromagnetism and its applications in electrical circuits. Students explore forces caused by moving magnets and electrically charged objects. Students calculate the current, resistance, and voltage in various circuits in order to evaluate the transfer of electrical energy.

 

Misconceptions:

  • Students may think current is used up by objects like light bulbs in a circuit, rather than understanding the conservation of energy in a closed system.

  • Students may think current only flows from a battery (or other source of electricity) to a light bulb (or other items that consumes electricity), rather than current flowing through the object to make a complete circuit.

  • Students may think electricity is produced in the wall socket, rather than electricity being generated elsewhere and delivered via power lines and wires.

 

 Key Content Vocabulary:

  • Ampere (amp) – unit of measurement for electric current

  • Circuit – a closed conducting circle or loop through which current can flow

  • Conductor – a substance or object that allows electricity to flow through it with low resistance

  • Current – the flow of electrons through a conductor

  • Electromagnet – an iron or steel core that is magnetized by electric current in a coil that surrounds it

  • Insulator – a substance or object that does not conduct electricity

  • Ohm – unit of electrical resistance

  • Ohm’s law – an equation that describes the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in an electrical circuit; I=V/R

  • Parallel circuit – an electrical circuit in which electric current has multiple paths through which it can flow

  • Resistance – measure of how much a material opposes the flow of electric current; measured in ohms; R=V/I

  • Resistor – a material or object that is designed offer a desired amount of resistance to the flow of electrical current

  • Schematic – a diagram of an electrical circuit

  • Series circuit – an electrical circuit in which electric current has only one path through which it can flow

  • Volt – unit of measure for the difference of potential that would drive one ampere of current against one ohm resistance

  • Voltage – potential difference between positively-charged and negatively charged terminals of a battery, or between any two given points in a circuit; measured in volts; V=IR

 

Related Vocabulary:

  • Ammeter

  • Bar magnet

  • Compass

  • Electric field

  • Magnetic field

  • Poles

  • Power source

  • Switch

 

 https://www.teksresourcesystem.net/module/content/search/item/693400/viewdetail.ashx