Bringing On The Power

B and F Blocks discussed the topic of electric power and why companies deliver electrical energy at high voltages rather than high currents to reduce the energy per time (power) that is converted to heat and lost as usable energy. We took a look at a sample electric bill and how the unit of the kilowatt-hour compares to the unit of the Joule for energy. Tomorrow, F Block works a lab to better understand Ohm's Law and the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic substances, while B Block starts their work on electrical circuits.

E Block started their electrical circuits discussion today with an overview of the nature of circuits, the structure and function of a schematic diagram, the difference between open and closed circuits and the danger of short circuits. Tomorrow, we'll look at one specific type of circuit - the series circuit - and investigate its properties both conceptually and mathematically.

C Block took up the topic of resistance today with a discussion about the nature of resistance, the factors that affect a material's resistance and Ohm's Law. We used our previous work in the Ohm's Lab to better understand the relationship between potential difference and current that Ohm's Law describes and what was different about substances that were classes as non-ohmic. We ended the class with an overview of the property of superconductivity and how it could revolutionize technology, if only we could find materials with reasonable critical temperatures. Tomorrow - electric power!