Tutorial details

Section I: Current & Voltage

This section serves as a review of the ideas of current and voltage. Students consider a circuit consisting of two bulbs and a battery in series. A sample dialogue in Question A elicits common difficulties many students have regarding current in circuits. Question B serves a similar role, but for difficulties with electric potential difference.

Section II: Multiple batteries in single-loop circuits

Students make predictions about bulb brightness for four different series circuits consisting of a single bulb and various quantities of batteries in different orientations. They then observe the brightness of the bulbs, which motivates students to refine their understanding of the loop rule as it applies to circuits with multiple batteries.

In Question C, students predict the relative brightness of two bulbs connected in series with batteries such that each bulb is located between two batteries. Following this is a sample student dialogue that elicits common difficulties students may have concerning circuit connections.

Section III: Multiple batteries in multi-loop circuits

Students examine a circuit consisting of a bulb, two batteries, and a switch. The circuit is constructed such that when the switch is open, the circuit behaves as a series circuit with a single battery and a bulb. When the switch is closed, the batteries are connected in parallel. Students make predictions about bulb brightness before and after the switch is closed, then consider how the potential difference and current in different parts of the circuit change, if at all.

For instruction tips, login or register as a verified educator to see the Instructor Guide.

Students should have previously seen series and parallel circuits with bulbs & a single battery and should have studied Kirchhoff’s loop and junction laws.

Equipment

List

• tutorial instructor slides
• tutorial student slides or worksheet

Discussion