Physics teacher needs help, how can i introduce the concept of electricity to my grade 10 students?

Question

i am starting electricity next term, how can i explain it to the students in the simplest way? its becaus i realised that i actually did not get the concept clearly as a student, and i dont want my students to graduate without fully understanding electricity

Answer 1

I like some of those suggestions, I may use them in my classroom! Here's another idea that's a bit different from those my colleagues presented: start with the atom. This shouldn't be too bad, as I'm sure the students have seen the atom at least once before in a general science or chemistry class. Discuss the charges that electrons and protons have; what happens to the net charge as electrons are taken away or added; lead into some static electricity; something like that.

Answer 2

A brief description of the structure of an atom and an explanation that current is electrons flowing through a conductor measured in Coulombs.

I must say that your question for a Teacher is a little off, grammar wise. Anyway that aside. Explain about voltage being electrical pressure, current being the thing that is flowing through the wire and resistance is the resistance to current flow which can produce heat such as in an electric fire.

OHMS Law is a good starter in that it takes a pressure of 1 Volt to force 1 Amp through 1 Ohm of resistance. Not unlike water through a hose.

Magnetism is a good one too. Current produces a magnetic field and magnetism can generate current. Induction is another goody that will have them enthralled and there are dozens of practical experiments that you can do that will invoke their interest.

I'm sure as a Physics teacher you don't want me to explain any further, you just want some ideas. Explain about conventional current flow and the difference between AC and DC and why AC is used for power transmission etc should keep them involved.

Jules, Australia.

Answer 3

I can tell you what not to do. Do not go with the standard electricity is like water flowing through a pipe. this gives the misleading image that when you plug something into an outlet, electricity flows out of the wall and into the wire. This is not what happens. There is more than enough electrons free in metals and other conductors and when a potential difference is applied these electrons start moving.

Therefore, you may want to start with explaining the difference between conductors and insulators. You can also compare the formula F=MA to V=IR. This may help with students ability to visualize how electricity works, as people tend to have a more intuitive understanding of forces than they do electricity.

Answer 4

When the students enter your classroom on the day you introduce electricity have all the power off (lights off, computers shut down). Give them a few minutes to settle into their desks in the dark room and then ask them to discuss what changes they would have to make if we were unable to harnass the power of electricity. Write all their ideas on the board. Keep calling on people as you gather more and more ideas. Then lead into your introduction with the history of it's 'discovery' by mankind. Followed by all the concepts of electric potential, current, field, energy, power, and charge. Maybe other teachers can provide more ideas... good luck!

Answer 5

What i think of of is that the guidelines ought to get closer a technology of previously-maturing youngsters. those youngsters will in all probability get probation or something and function their documents sealed or maybe expunged through the time they are 18. Edit: ok, like others, I only found out the little ones had getting to understand disabilities and such. possibly this college desires a decrease ratio of scholars to instructors, considering the fact that those youngsters have particular desires. finally however, the place do you assume the little ones have been given those innovations? My wager is from watching television and enjoying video games. I blame the mum and dad better than something. the place are the mum and dad all day and night? no longer parenting, curiously. (no pun meant.)

Answer 6

Firstly, you could gauge their level of understanding by asking them to explain what they think electricity is, where it comes from, how it works,etc. This will give you a good idea of where your starting point will be. It's also important to convey that magnetism and electricity are inextricably linked, so you can also do some simple experiments with magnets and coils of wire etc.

Answer 7

1. Start with static.
2. Inroduce current with a crank magnetic generator using a light bulb.