Activity Description

This activity uses the Circuit Construction Kit from the Phet website. Students are shown a circuit with three 10 ohm light bulbs connected in series with a 9 V battery. The ammeters are labeled with current readings consistent with a student model of current being consumed by resistors. The activity is resolved by closing the switch and showing the ammeter readings.

Target Conceptual Difficulty

Current is consumed by resistors.

PowerPoint

What if Anything is Wrong Task - Current in a Series Circuit (Turningpoint Version)

What if Anything is Wrong Task - Current in a Series Circuit (iClicker version)

Simulation

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc

Click on the Link in the Left Frame for Electricity, Magnets, and Circuits, then click on the icon for Circuit Construction Kit. Once the simulation starts, click on load and then browse to and run the following file. Current in a Series Circuit

Presentation Notes

To demonstrate the correct answer to the students, click and drag on the switch to close the circuit. The ammeters will read the correct current.

Student Results

Student response to the what if anything is wrong task. 87% of the students correctly determined that the current should be constant through the circuit.

Pen and Paper Actvivities

Pen and Paper version of this activty

Follow up tipers from homework assignments, test reviews and test items