Topic 5

Electricity and magnetism

Topic 5 - Resources

5.1 - Lesson 1

Electric Charge and Coulomb's Law

In our first lesson, we will consider the behavior of electrons, protons, and charged objects, as well as the forces acting on them. You may wish to review vector addition and subtraction from Topic 1.3.

Topic 5.1A - Electric Charge and Force

Vector addition review sheet

General Vector Addition.pdf

5.1 - Lesson 2

Electric Fields, Current, and Potential Difference

In lesson 2, we will introduce electric fields, which we touched on in the previous lesson, consider the implications of a charged particle in an electric field, and get our first (but not last) look at electric current and potential difference.

Topic 5.1B - Electric Fields, Current, and Potential Difference

Topic 5.1 Handout 2 - blank.pdf

5.2 - Lesson 1

Heating Effects of Electric Currents

In Topic 5.2, we look at the properties of matter that effect how electrons travel through materials, and get our first look at Ohm's Law, the relationship between current, resistance, and potential difference.

Topic 5.2A - Heating Effects of Electric Currents

Topic 5.2 Handout 1 - blank.pdf

5.2 - Lesson 2-3

Experiment Time

For the next couple of lessons, we'll be doing two experiments. The first experiment will verify the characteristics of traditionally Ohmic and non-Ohmic resistors, and in the second we will look at the differences between parallel and series circuits.

Topic 5.2 - Ohmic vs. non-Ohmic Resistance.pdf

Topic 5.2 Investigation - Series and Parallel Circuits.pdf

Open up the simulation embedded below to get started. It will probably work best if you open it in a new window or tab.

Mr. Van Loh's work on series and parallel circuits can be found here:

S&P circuit investigation responses

Topic 5.2 - Homework

Circuit Analysis

Lesson Objectives: I can~

Determine current, voltage, and resistance through circuit components in series and parallel.
Apply Kirchoff's Laws for current and voltage.

Class exercises can be found here:

Topic 5.2 - Series and Parallel Circuit Analysis.pdf

Topic 5.3

Internal resistance and emf

This can be done in class with an actual power supply, but for the sake of time we will use the PHET Circuit construction kit. When you finish the activity, read Topic 5.3 and answer Test Yourself Questions in Tsokos.

Topic 5.3 is very short, so between this task and the reading we should have it covered in one lesson.

Mr. Van Loh's Investigation Notes

Topic 5.3 - Practical - emf and internal resistance.pdf

Topic 5.4

Magnetic Fields

I hope you enjoy contorting your hands into weird-looking shapes, because this topic is all about right-hand rules. Buckle up.

Topic 5.4 - Magnetic Fields

You ask for miracles...I give you the F. B. I.

T5.4 - So you didn’t get this quiz question.pdf

This question wrecked some students recently. Here's the solution!