Physical Science

Overview  Expectations  Safety Considerations  Prior Knowledge  Game  Lab  Resources/Websites  Exit Pass

Teaching Strategies  Today, our strategies include an interactive game and an inquiry investigation.  Other teaching strategies include website resources and other various labs.

Specific Targets  Describe the potential difference and current characteristics in a series and a parallel circuit;  Compare the electrical resistance of a series and a parallel connection of identical resistors to that of a single resistor  Demonstrate the skills required to plan and conduct an inquiry into electricity, using instruments, tools, and apparatus safely, accurately, and effectively (e.g., use an ammeter and a voltmeter to measure current and potential difference in a circuit);

Prior Knowledge  Students have some background knowledge of electricity from their Grade 8 Science and Technology program. They are familiar with terms such as load, source, switch, conductor, insulator and parallel and series circuit.

Circuit diagrams  Minimum Three elements: -Source of electricity (battery) -Path or conductor on which electricity flows (wire) -Electrical resistor (lamp) which is any device that requires electricity to operate  Pictorial way of showing circuits This is the Ammeter symbol This is the Voltmeter symbol. This is the resistor symbol. This is the switch symbol. This is the battery symbol.

Series Circuit  Closed electrical circuit that is connected so that the current passes through each circuit element in turn without branching off.

Race Track

Parallel Circuits Have more than one path that the circuit can follow and electrical energy therefore is not shared. Each electrical device can be on or off within the circuit.

Parallel Circuits Cars have many pathways to travel, one might be a five lane freeway, while another is a two lane street. Eventually all cars must return to the service station for more energy.

Game r11s/playground/playground.html