On completion of this unit the student should be able to investigate and apply a basic DC circuit model to simple battery-operated devices and household electrical systems, apply mathematical models to analyse circuits, and describe the safe and effective use of electricity by individuals and the community.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge outlined in Area of Study 2 and the related key science skills.
Key knowledge
Concepts used to model electricity
• apply concepts of charge (Q ), electric current (I ), potential difference (V ), energy (E ) and power (P ), in electric circuits
• explore different analogies used to describe electric current and potential difference
• investigate and analyse theoretically and practically electric circuits
• justify the use of selected meters (ammeter, voltmeter, multimeter) in circuits
• apply the kilowatt-hour (kW h) as a unit of energy.
Circuit electricity
• model resistance in series and parallel circuits using
––current versus potential difference ( I–V ) graphs
––resistance as the potential difference to current ratio, including R = constant for ohmic devices
––equivalent effective resistance in arrangements in series and parallel
• calculate and analyse the effective resistance of circuits comprising parallel and series resistance and voltage dividers
• model household (AC) electrical systems as simple direct current (DC) circuits
• compare power transfers in series and parallel circuits
• explain why the circuits in homes are mostly parallel circuits.
Using electricity
• investigate and apply theoretically and practically concepts of current, resistance, potential difference (voltage drop) and power to the operation of electronic circuits comprising resistors, light bulbs, diodes, thermistors, light dependent resistors (LDRs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and potentiometers
• investigate practically the operation of simple circuits containing resistors, variable resistors, diodes and other non-ohmic devices
• describe energy transfers and transformations with reference to transducers.
Electrical safety
• model household electricity connections as a simple circuit comprising fuses, switches, circuit breakers, loads and earth
• compare the operation of safety devices including fuses, circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs)
• describe the causes, effects and treatment of electric shock in homes and identify the approximate danger thresholds for current and duration.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge outlined in Area of Study 2 and the related key science skills.
Key knowledge
Concepts used to model electricity
• apply concepts of charge (Q ), electric current (I ), potential difference (V ), energy (E ) and power (P ), in electric circuits
• explore different analogies used to describe electric current and potential difference
• investigate and analyse theoretically and practically electric circuits
• justify the use of selected meters (ammeter, voltmeter, multimeter) in circuits
• apply the kilowatt-hour (kW h) as a unit of energy.
Circuit electricity
• model resistance in series and parallel circuits using
––current versus potential difference ( I–V ) graphs
––resistance as the potential difference to current ratio, including R = constant for ohmic devices
––equivalent effective resistance in arrangements in series and parallel
• calculate and analyse the effective resistance of circuits comprising parallel and series resistance and voltage dividers
• model household (AC) electrical systems as simple direct current (DC) circuits
• compare power transfers in series and parallel circuits
• explain why the circuits in homes are mostly parallel circuits.
Using electricity
• investigate and apply theoretically and practically concepts of current, resistance, potential difference (voltage drop) and power to the operation of electronic circuits comprising resistors, light bulbs, diodes, thermistors, light dependent resistors (LDRs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and potentiometers
• investigate practically the operation of simple circuits containing resistors, variable resistors, diodes and other non-ohmic devices
• describe energy transfers and transformations with reference to transducers.
Electrical safety
• model household electricity connections as a simple circuit comprising fuses, switches, circuit breakers, loads and earth
• compare the operation of safety devices including fuses, circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs)
• describe the causes, effects and treatment of electric shock in homes and identify the approximate danger thresholds for current and duration.
