Static Electricity

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 Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce Unit; discuss Charge
    The atom; proton, electron, and neutron (charge and location of each); p+s are tightly bound; e-s can be added and removed from an atom; balanced vs. unbalanced charge; calculating Q (quantity of charge) of an object
  2. Pair Practice: Charge Think Sheet
  3. Lab 1: Action at a Distance
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Concept Builder: Charge and Charging


 

Day 2 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Charge Interactions; demonstrations (balloons), relate to Lab 1 findings; use Charge Interactions Think Sheet
  2. Discuss Triboelectric Charging
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; relative e- affinity; demonstrations
  3. Lab 2: Sticky Tape Experiments

Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Part c
  2. Concept Builder: Getting the Hang of Charge


 

Day 3 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review triboelectric charging; post-lab Lab 2
  2. Pair Practice: Triboelectric Charging Think Sheet
  3. Physics Interactives: Aluminum Can Polarization with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow up with a Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Part a
  2. Concept Builder: Triboelectric Charging


 

Day 4 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss insulators, conductors, polarization; review Aluminum Can Polarization
  2. Pair Practice: Insulators, Conductors, and Polarization Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Conductors and Insulators
  4. Concept Builder: Polarization
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Parts d and e
  2. Complete any unfinished in-class work


 

Day 5 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Charging by Conduction
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  2. Discuss Grounding
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  3. Pair Practice: Charging by Conduction and Grounding Think Sheet
  4. If time allows, start Minds On Physics: Mission SE4 on Charging by Contact and the Grounding
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Parts c and d
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE4 on Charging by Contact and the Grounding Process


 

Day 6 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 3: Pop Can Induction
  2. Post-lab and discuss charging by induction
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  3. Pair Practice: Charging by Induction Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Part b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE5 on Charging by Induction - Pop Can Induction


 

Day 7 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Charging by Induction; more demonstrations/discussion
  2. Lab 4: Charging by Induction
    Do and post-lab
  3. Physics Interactives: Charging
    Use Student Activity Sheet and follow it up with the Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Minds On Physics: Mission SE6 on Charging by Induction - Single Sphere
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE7 on Charging by Induction - Electrophorus Plate


 

Day 8 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Coulomb's Law
    Use Student Activity Sheet and follow up with the Concept Checker
  2. Review all three charging methods: triboelectric charging ("friction"), conduction, induction
  3. Physics Interactives: Name That Charge
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 3, Parts a, b, and c
  2. If not done in class, complete Concept Checker and/or Name That Charge


 

Day 9 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Coulomb's Law: charge interactions; action at a distance; equation, proportionalities, proportionality constant (k)
  2. Pair Practice: problems #1-10 from Coulomb's Law Think Sheet
  3. Guided Practice: #11-15 of Coulomb's Law Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  4. Concept Builder: Coulomb's Law
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 3, Part d
  2. CalcPad: Static Electricity 1 on Coulomb's Law


 

Day 10 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Electric Field Strength (E)
    Action at a distance, variables affecting E; equations; units, test charge vs. source charge
  2. Pair Practice: Electric Field Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Electric Field Intensity
  4. If time allows: Physics Interactives: Electric Field Hockey (with built-in Task Tracking)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
  2. CalcPad: Static Electricity 2 on Electric Field Strength


 

Day 11 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Example problems #1, 3, and #7 from E and F Problems Think Sheet
  2. Lab 5 - Coulomb's Law 
  3. Concept Builder: Electric Field
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Static Electricity 3 on Field and Force
  2. Concept Builder: Electric Field (if not completed in class)


 

Day 12 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Example problems from E and F Problems Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Electric Field Lines with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 4, Part c
  2. CalcPad: Static Electricity 4 on Field and Force


 

Day 13 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Example problems from E and F Problems Think Sheet
  2. Review electric field lines
  3. Pair Practice: Electric Field Lines Think Sheet
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission SE12 on Electric Field Lines
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Static Electricity 5 on Field and Force


 

Day 14 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Example problems from E and F Problems Think Sheet
  2. If time allows: Physics Interactives: Electric Field Hockey
  3. Review for Exam
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work