Shocking!

Honors Physics got a demonstration of the Tesla coil today, which is a fun way to demonstrate such concepts as capacitance, potential difference, electric potential energy and electric discharge. Here are a couple of photos of the spectacle:

We then reviewed capacitance and the basic nature of circuits before starting in on a discussion of series circuits. For series circuits, remember that charges must flow through each device in turn and any break in the circuit shuts down the entire circuit. As you work problems, keep in mind that the current in the circuit is the same across each resistor, the equivalent resistance is the sum of the resistor values and that the voltage drop across each device in the circuit varies and can be found using Ohm’s Law. We’ll check over your series circuit problems tomorrow before moving on to parallel circuits.

Physical Science B and E reviewed their lab investigations. We took each project in turn and worked through the discussion questions and calculations. We also took time to review the concepts of series and parallel circuits, in general, paying special attention to the patterns of current, voltage and resistance demonstrated by these circuits. Tomorrow, you’ll start on the next round of circuit construction, which will allow you to build more complex circuits and get an introduction to new circuit components.

Physics F and G picked up with electric current and a review of Ohm’s Law. Attention was then turned the rate of charge flow (current) and to factors that affect electrical resistance. We discussed examples of how material identity, length, temperature and cross-sectional area can be used to vary resistance and some practical applications/problems associated with these factors. Tomorrow, we add another electrical property of matter to our list – capacitance.

Homework

Honors Physics A: Practice 20A
Physical Science B and E: None
Physics F and G: Practice 19B, Conceptual Challenge p. 704 and the 19.2 Section Review