Target Schedule: (3/18/15 – 3/30/15)
UNIT #12: DC CIRCUITS
Grade/Course:
Grade 11/12- AP 1 Physics
Assessment: 3/31/15
Title of the Unit of Study:
UNIT #12: CIRCUITS
21st Century Theme: Introduce the topic of DC electrical circuits as the basic structure for all electrical devices
used in modern technology from computer circuits used in communications and computing to the machines that
energize and power our civilization. The common architecture is a source electromotive force to energize the
circuit, aload and interconnections of conductors to complete the circuit.
CCSS Science and Technical Standards Reading:
RST.1112.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to
important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account. (HS-PS21)
RST.11 2.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media
(e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a
problem. (HS-PS2-1)
CSS Science and Technical Standards Writing:
WHST.1112.9
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (HS-PS2-1)
NGSS/Content Standards: 3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer

Energy can also be transferred from place to place by electric currents, which can then be used locally to produce motion,
sound, heat, or light. The currents may have been produced to begin with by transforming the energy of motion into
electrical energy.
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life
 The expression “produce energy” typically refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use.
ETS1.A: Defining Engineering Problems
 Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). The success of a designed
solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Different proposals for solutions can be
compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria for success or how well each takes the
constraints into account.
Concepts and Skills:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Battery as a source of electromotive force (energy) to energize a DC circuit
Current is the flow of free electrons in a conductor
Ohm’s law as the potential difference needed to pass a certain current through a resistive load , “R”
Joule’s law of heating in a resistive load, P= IV.
Equivalent resistance for series and parallel circuits
Kirchoff’s laws to analyze DC circuit networks
Use of a multi-meter to measure DC voltage and DC currents
Essential Question(s):
1. What determines the current in an electrical circuit for a given network of sources and loads.
2. How does the potential difference and current in a DC network vary depending on the topolology of the
network? Eg parallel, series mixed series/ parallel interconnections.
3. How do you calculate the power dissipation in a electrical network.
Higher Order Thinking Questions:

How does the potential difference across a series and parallel circuit vary with position across the
Target Schedule: (3/18/15 – 3/30/15)
UNIT #12: DC CIRCUITS
Assessment: 3/31/15
network?
 In what way does the internal resistance in a battery affect the power and current properties of DC
circuit?
 What is the optimal efficiency in transferring electrical power to a load?
Learning Outcomes/Content Objectives:
1. Explain how a simple battery can produce an electrical current.
2. Define current, ampere, emf, voltage, resistance, resistivity, and temperature coefficient of resistance.
3. Write the symbols used for electromotive force, electric current, resistance, resistivity, temperature coefficient
of resistance and power and state the unit associated with each quantity.
4. Distinguish between a) conventional current and electron current and b) direct current and alternating current.
5. Know the symbols used to represent a source of emf, resistor, voltmeter, and ammeter and how to interpret a
simple circuit diagram.
6. Given the length, cross sectional area, resistivity, and temperature coefficient of resistance, determine a wire's
resistance at room temperature and some higher or lower temperature.
7. Solve simple dc circuit problems using Ohm's law.
8. Use the equations for electric power to determine the power and energy dissipated in a resistor and calculate
the cost of this energy to the consumer.
9. Distinguish between the rms and peak values for current and voltage and apply these concepts in solving
problems involving a simple ac circuit
Objectives - Circuits
After studying the material of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Determine the equivalent resistance of resistors arranged in series or in parallel or the equivalent resistance of
a series parallel combination.
2. Use Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's rules to determine the current through each resistor and the voltage drop
across each resistor in a single loop or multiloop dc circuit.
3. Distinguish between the emf and the terminal voltage of a battery and calculate the terminal voltage given the
emf, internal resistance of the battery, and external resistance in the circuit
Academic Vocabulary:
-
Content Specific Vocabulary:
Current as measured in amps
Multi- meter
Ohm_meter
Volt_meter
Ammeter
Resistance measured in ohms
Voltage measured in Volts
Ohm’s Law V = IR
Joule’s Law: P = IV
Power measured in watts
Kirchoff’s Laws
Series and parallel circuits
Labs/Demonstrations/Activities:
1. Series/ Parallel circuit lab
2. PHET circuit simulation lab
3. Rope loop to model current, battery, resistor functions
Sentence Frames:
The power in a electrical load is
given as a the product ………..
and is measured in ………….. It
represents the rate at which
electrical …………… is used up in
the component.
Target Schedule: (3/18/15 – 3/30/15)
UNIT #12: DC CIRCUITS
Resources:
Web quiz:
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/giancoli/chapter18/deluxe.html
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/giancoli/chapter19/deluxe.html
Assessment: 3/31/15
Simulations:
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-ac
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/ Ohm’s Laws and Resistor Combinations and Potentionmeter/ Wheatsone
Bridge
Video :
https://ia600407.us.archive.org/16/items/AP_Physics_B_Lesson_35/Container.html
Serway Faughn Vuille: College Physics Textbook Chapter 17 and Chapter 18
HAIKU PAGE: UNIT #12
AP1 _ Unit #12: DC CIRCUITS
Topic
Reading
Homework
1. Current
SFV p(568-572)
Summary 586
SFV p587: 1-7 odd
2. Resistance – Ohm’s Law
SFV p(572-578)
SFV p588: 11-19 odd
3. Power
SFV p(580-583)
SFV p589: 31-39 odd
4. Resistance Lab
SFV p(568-572
Lab Report
5. Series Resistors
SFV p(592-595)
SFV p617: 5-9 odd
6. Parallel Resistors
SFV p(596-601)
SFV p618: 11-15odd
7. Kirchoff’s law
8. Review Unit 11
SFV p(601-604)
SFV p618: 17-23odd
SFV p615: 1-11 odd
9. Test Unit 11
LECTURE VIDEOS:
https://ia600407.us.archive.org/16/items/AP_Physics_B_Lesson_35/Container.html
Target Schedule: (3/18/15 – 3/30/15)
UNIT #12: DC CIRCUITS
Assessment: 3/31/15
WEB QUIZ12:
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/giancoli/chapter18/deluxe.html
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/giancoli/chapter19/deluxe.html
In Class Work
Max Score
Unit Warm Ups
10
Unit Notes – Cornell Notes
10
Class Participation
10
Score