Circuits

Honors Physics conducted a lab investigation that contrasted properties of series and parallel circuits. Students constructed both types of circuits and monitored current and potential difference across various resistors in the circuits. As we discussed in lab, resistors connected in parallel lower the equivalent resistance and raise the equivalent current. Resistors connected in series raise the equivalent resistance and lower the overall current. For parallel circuits, the potential difference across each resistor is the same, but the potential difference across each resistor in a series circuit depends on the component’s individual resistance. We’ll discuss this lab in more detail tomorrow, review combined circuits and then move on to electric power. Looking towards Friday for the exam

Physical Science B and E worked with their circuit kits to build a variety of systems as alarms, detectors, conductivity testers and other loud stuff. E block lost a period on Friday, so they are running a day behind B Block. We are looking at winding up this unit on Wednesday for B Block and Thursday for E Block, but that may vary depending on the speed with which students work through the material.

Physics F and G reviewed over the structure and function of capacitors and then had the Tesla coil demonstration to show how capacitors can be used for high-energy applications and research. Attention then turned to the function and types of electric circuits, with series circuits taking center stage. Tomorrow, G Block will conduct a lab investigation to contrast these circuits and their counterpart – parallel circuits – and F Block will spend time examining the differences between series and parallel circuits.

Homework

Honors Physics A: Complete lab write up
Physical Science B and E: MCAS question
Physics F: 20.1 Section Review, 20A #4, Chapter Review #2
Physics G: Read lab protocol sheet and complete 20.1 Section Review, 20A #4, Chapter Review #2 for Wednesday