TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Path of Electrons
Students engage in an interactive "hot potato" demonstration to gain an appreciation for the flow of electrons through a circuit. Students role play the different parts of a simple circuit and send small items representing electrons...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Which Materials Are the Best Conductors?
A simple science fair project to test whether electricity can flow between two things. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on terms,...
Walter Fendt
Walter Fendt: Simple Ac Circuits
This simulation shows a simple circuit consisting of an AC voltage source and, depending on the button selected, a resistor, a capacitor or a coil.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Finding Battery Voltage Simple
Determine the voltage of the battery based on the colors of the resistor and the current in the circuit.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy
Through nine lessons, students are introduced to a range of energy types--electrical, light, sound and thermal-as well as the renewable energy sources of wind, hydro (water) and solar power. Subjects range from understanding that the...
PBS
Pbs Teachers:electrical Messages
Explore circuits and the flow of electricity by creating a communication device with a cell battery and electrical buzzer.
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: Electric Shocks!!
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. These...
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....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Learning the Science Behind Electricity
Following a PowerPoint lecture, students will participate in a laboratory investigation where they dissect a disposable camera.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Switcheroo
In this hands-on activity, students construct a simple switch and determine what objects and what types of materials can be used to close a switch in a circuit and light a light bulb.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Light Your Way
When there is a power failure, or when we go outside at night, we grab a flashlight so we can find our way. What happens inside a flashlight that makes the bulb light up? Why do we need a switch to turn on a flashlight? Have you ever...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Conductivity
Students make a simple conductivity tester using a battery and light bulb. They learn the difference between conductors and insulators of electrical energy as they test a variety of materials for their ability to conduct electricity.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Journey of a Typical Electron
In the wires of electric circuits, an electron is the actual charge carrier. In this article, an electron's path through the external circuit is introduced.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electric Circuits: Lesson 2
This lesson will explain how to calculate voltage, current, and resistance in simple electric circuits. It is 2 of 4 in the series titled "Electric Circuits."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electric Circuits: Lesson 4
This lesson will explain how to calculate voltage, current, and resistance in simple electric circuits. It is 4 of 4 in the series titled "Electric Circuits."
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All: Nasa Online: Circuits
Learn the basics of electrical circuits and diagrams.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Saltwater Tester
Explore circuits and the flow of electricity. Create a saltwater tester using a battery and electrical buzzer.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Sliding Light: How to Make a Dimmer Switch With a Pencil
In this electronics science fair project, students will make a simple dimmer switch and investigate the relationship between the resistance in the circuit and the amount of light produced. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up...
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Magnetic Fields and Compass Orientation
Simulate the creation of an induced magnetic field through the use of a simple electric circuit. An interactive demonstration is included.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Rl in Ac Lab
This lab was designed to help students understand the difference between circuits powered by DC and circuits powered by AC. Students can see that simple changes in frequency lead to changes in the potential difference across the...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Rc in Ac Lab
This lab was designed to help students understand the difference between circuits powered by DC and circuits powered by AC. Students can see that simple changes in frequency lead to changes in the potential difference across the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Electrons on the Move
Students learn about current electricity and necessary conditions for the existence of an electric current. Students construct a simple electric circuit and a galvanic cell to help them understand voltage, current and resistance.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Transformers
Use this interactive, simple transformer to make a complete circuit via induction using two separate coils with iron cores inside.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries in a Row
Everyday we are surrounded by circuits that use "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are composed of many simpler parallel and series circuits. During this activity, students build a simple...