The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Algebra Based On-Level Physics » Electric Circuits

Electric Circuits

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.  

Day 1 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce Unit
  2. Discuss Electric Potential and Electric Potential Difference; use Electric Potential Difference Think Sheet
  3. Lab 1: Sparky the Electrician
    Do; post-lab; discuss the requirements of an electric circuit
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c



 

Day 2 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Sparky the Electrician Lab; requirements of an electric circuit; role of the battery
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC2 on Voltage
  3. Lab 2: First to Light
  4. Lab 3: Greatest Current
  5. Discuss Electric Current:
    Definition; conventional current; equation; unit; everywhere the same
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 2, Parts a, b, and c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC1 on Electric Current


 

Day 3 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Pair Practice: Electric Circuits and Electric Current Think Sheet
  2. Discuss Light bulbs; anatomy; how current flows through a light bulb
  3. Concept Builder: Light Bulb Anatomy
  4. Discuss Resistance
    Definition; units; effect on current; variables affecting R; equation for resistance
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
  2. Concept Builder: Resistance Ranking Tasks



 

Day 4 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 4 - Voltage-Current-Resistance
    Do and post-lab; generate equation relating I to ∆V and R
  2. Pair Practice: Electrical Resistance Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 3, Part c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC4 on Resistance, Voltage, and Current




 

Day 5 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss schematic diagrams, starbursts and arrowtails
  2. Concept Builder: Current
  3. Discuss Electric Power
    Definition; units; relation to work, time, ∆V, and Q; relationship to ∆V, I, and R; derive equations
  4. Pair Practice: Electrical Power and Energy Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 2, Part 2 and Lesson 3, Part d
  2. Concept Builder: I=∆V/R Equations as a Guide to Thinking




 

Day 6 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss the myriad of quantities, units, equations; discuss problem-solving
  2. Pair Practice: Mathematical Relationships in Circuits Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Case Studies - Electric Power
  4. Start CalcPad - Circuits 1: Circuit Quantities
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 1: Circuit Quantities




 

Day 7 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Demonstration Lab 5: Series vs. Parallel
  2. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Student Activity Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Series vs. Parallel Circuits (Apprentice and Master Levels)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
  2. CalcPad - Circuits 2: Circuit Quantities




 

Day 8 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 6 - Comparing Voltage Drops and Currents in Series
    Do and post-lab
  2. Guided/Individual/Pairs: Series Circuits Think Sheet (selected Qs)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part c




 

Day 9 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Complete Series Circuits Think Sheet; make mathematical relationships clear
  2. Concept Builder: Series Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Apprentice and Master Levels only)
  3. Start Minds On Physics: Mission EC7 on Series Circuits Concepts
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 3: Series Circuits
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC7 on Series Circuits Concepts




 

Day 10 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 7 - Comparing Voltage Drops and Currents in Parallel
    Do and post-lab
  2. Guided/Individual/Pairs: Parallel Circuits Think Sheet (selected Qs)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits: Lesson 4, Part d




 

Day 11 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Complete Parallel Circuits Think Sheet; make mathematical relationships clear
  2. Concept Builder: Parallel Circuits - ∆V=I•R Calculations (Master Level only)
  3. Start Minds On Physics: Mission EC8 on Parallel Circuits Concepts
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 4: Parallel Circuits
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission EC8 on Parallel Circuits Concepts




 

Day 12 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. Compare and Contrast Series and Parallel Circuits; Circuit Analysis Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  2. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Voltage Drop Analysis Activity
    Do and post-lab
  3. Physics Interactives: Equivalent Resistance (with built-in Task Tracking) (Levels 1 - 8 only)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circuits 5: Series and Parallel Circuits
  2. Concept Checker: Voltage Drop Analysis




 

Day 13 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
  1. More examples from Circuit Analysis Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  2. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Series Circuit Activity
  3. Physics Interactives: DC Circuit Builder with Parallel Circuit Activity
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Concept Checker: Series Circuit Activity
  2. Concept Checker: Parallel Circuit Activity




 

Day 14 of Electric Circuits

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
 
  1. Concept Builder: Know Your Potential
  2. Concept Builder: Which One Doesn't Belong? - Equivalent Resistance
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission EC9  on Series Circuit Calculations
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission EC10 on Parallel Circuit Calculations
  5. Minds On Physics: Mission EC12 on Series and Parallel Circuit Calculations
  6. CalcPad - Circuits 6: Review
  7. The Review Session - Electric Circuits

​NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.

Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work