Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (3A) Post Lab
Third graders discuss how energy is created. In this energy lesson, 3rd graders look at how a city receives energy and how it is made. They create their own generator using a pin wheel and pipe cleaners.
Curated OER
Semiconductors
Young scholars investigate the properites of a semiconductor device known as a diode. They recognize a diode as a one way conducting device. They describe alternating current and the use of a diode to convert it to direct current....
Curated OER
Producing Electric Current
Essentially a list of definitions, this slide show will help your students understand the generation of electrical currents using magnets. There is information comparing the frequencies of currents produced and two slides to detail...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Steady State Direct Current With Batteries & Resistors Only
In this interactive tutorial, students will analyze series circuits and parallel circuits along with complex circuits composed of elements in series and parallel. Learners will use schematics to help them understand these circuits....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Build a Reed Switch Motor
After building a simple electric motor from a kit, with this experiment you can explore how voltage affects motor speed. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction,...
University of Guelph
Magnet Lab: Dc Circuits
This site describes and demonstrates a number of important concepts related to direct current circuits. Information on many of the featured topics, such as the use of Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws. Examples of featured topics include...
National Academy of Engineering
Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century: Electrification
Learners explore electrification in the 20th century. Some topics investigated are rural electrification, power generators, and direct current (DC). The resource consists of historical information, a timeline, and a personal essay by a...
Boston University
Elementary Physics: Current and Resistance
A general summary of electrical resistance including a comparison of AC and DC current.
Other
Fayette County Public School: The Current War
A summation of the War of the Currents featuring Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison against a backdrop of The Columbian Exposition and an execution.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Pixii Machine
This "magneto-electric machine" was the first to turn motion into electricity. (Java tutorial)
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Direct and Alternating Current
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the difference between direct current and alternating current.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: The Series Circuit
Explains how a series circuit works, accompanied by an animation. Lists the rules and formulas that apply to a series circuit.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Rc in Dc Problem
Determine the initial current and the final energy stored in a capacitor when powered with DC.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Mains Electricity and Alternating Current Aqa
This lesson focuses on Mains Electricity and Alternating Current. Electrical supplies can be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). The UK mains electricity supply is about 230V at 50 Hz. It explains the difference between AC...
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Sparks Tutorial: Using an Oscilloscope
Learn how to use an oscilloscope.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Troubleshooting Dc Circuits (Sparks 4)
Discover a sequence of all-resistor DC circuits in which one of the resistors is either open or short-circuited.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Dc Circuits: Series Parallel Resistances (Sparks 3)
Answer questions regarding voltage drops across resistors and currents through them in such circuits. Practice calculating the effective resistances of a set of resistances in series and parallel.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Nikola Tesla: The Electro Magnetic Motor
Use this site to learn about the inventor of the electro-magnetic motor, Nikola Tesla. Find out why Tesla's experimentation with alternating current was so important to later inventions and use of electricity.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Physical Science: Electric Current
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines electric current and relates electric current to different materials (insulators and conductors).
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Dc Circuit and Electrical Power Review
Review the components of a circuit and their symbols such as battery, resistor, and switch. Analyze how the power of a resistor is related to the current and electric potential difference across the resistor.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Dc Ammeters and Voltmeters Review
Review the key terms and skills related to voltmeters and ammeters, including where to place them in a circuit.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Current and Resistance
Article explores direct current circuits, alternating current circuits, and the nervous system.
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....