Series & Parallel Circuit
Lesson Title: Series & Parallel Circuits
Grade Level: High school (10th-12th grade)
Subject: Applied Design, Skills, and Technology (ADST) Electronics. Also applicable for Science and Physics.
Duration: ~60 minutes
Required Equipment: Power Supply, Multimeter, Laptop with Wi-Fi access
Required Components: Breadboard, Resistors of varying values
Objectives:
Understand the fundamental differences between series and parallel circuits.
Analyze the behavior of current and voltage in both types of circuits.
Demonstrate the ability to set up series and parallel circuits on a breadboard.
Use the multimeter for taking measurements in these circuits.
Procedure:
Introduction (10 mins)
Introduce the concepts of series and parallel circuits and their significance.
Discuss the basic characteristics of each type, including how components are connected.
Guide students through a chosen simulation software/platform.
Set up a basic series circuit and a parallel circuit using virtual components.
Observe and note the behavior of current and voltage in both setups.
Hands-on Activity: Building Circuits (20 mins)
Demonstrate the setup of a series circuit on a breadboard using resistors and LEDs.
Proceed to show the setup for a parallel circuit.
Students recreate these circuits, observing the behavior of LEDs and noting the differences between the two setups.
Measure and discuss voltage drops across components in series circuits and current behavior in parallel circuits.
Using Measurement Tools (10 mins)
Guide students on using the multimeter to measure current and voltage in the circuits they've built.
Discuss the concepts of total resistance in series and parallel configurations.
Conclusion and Recap (5 mins)
Reiterate the key differences between series and parallel circuits and their real-world applications.
Engage students in a discussion about their observations and the practical implications of using each type of circuit.
Assessment:
Formative assessment: Throughout the lesson, students will be assessed on their engagement, participation in discussions, and ability to set up both types of circuits correctly.
Summative assessment: At the lesson's conclusion, students will take a written test covering the characteristics of series and parallel circuits, their advantages and disadvantages, and the behavior of current and voltage in each. Practical skills will be assessed through a hands-on test where students will be tasked with creating a specific circuit configuration.
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