The students will see an animated video that gives an overview a of how the
U.S. electrical grid is organized and how power gets to customers. Next , they will make a human electrical circuit. Finally, students will be put into several small groups receiving printed instructions on how to create a traffic light using Arduino kits. Students will gain a basic understanding of how electricity is created and delivered to the consumer.
Category Archives: Circuits
AC Power Activities
Instructions on how to create an AC electric generator from few items, including a magnet, wire and a nail.
Circuit Simulations
“Install accurate analog and digital circuit simulations in seconds, using schematics and wiring diagrams.”
- https://www.circuitlab.com/
- ECE 6721: Analog Integrated Circuit Lab
- Circuit Simulator | Clemson University, South Carolina
Real vs. Reactive Power
“We know that reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero power, yet the fact that they drop voltage and draw current gives the deceptive impression that they actually do dissipate power. This “phantom power” is called reactive power…The actual amount of power being used, or dissipated, in a circuit is called true power, and it is measured in watts.”
AC/DC Power
“Electrical energy is a very useful form of energy because it can be converted into other forms of energy, including heat, sound, movement, and light. It can also be transferred from its source, such as a power station, to your home. Articles present general concepts regarding Alternating and Direct Current.”
- Transformer — power supply : Ac Circuits
- True, Reactive, and Apparent power : Power Factor
- http://kids.britannica.com/lm/animations/oaltern001d4/product.html
- http://www.diffen.com/difference/Alternating_Current_vs_Direct_Curren
- http://www.electrical4u.com/electrical-power-factor
- http://www.nist.gov/pml/div684/power_121509.cfm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Boucherot
- http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/hidden-costs-cfls
- http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/alternating-current/chpt-13/introduction-ac-motors/
- HowStuffWorks “Direct Current Versus Alternating Current”
- AC vs DC (Alternating Current vs Direct Current) – Difference and Comparison | Diffen
Elementary School Students
Instruction manuals including the construction of squishy circuits, used to teach the basic concepts of circuits and electricity. Lists of items that are needed to complete the experiment are also included in the links below.
Circuits
Information about circuits ranging from tables, graphs, and lessons are included in the links. Direct and Alternating current are discussed, along with resistors and breadboards.
- All About Circuits
- Electrical Circuits
- Homemade Circuit Designs Just for You: How to Make a Simplest Inverter Circuit
- Table of Electrical Resistivity and Conductivity
- http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Exper/EXP_3.html
- http://www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/resistors-tutorials/
- http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au//jw/AC.html
- http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/
- http://www.penguintutor.com/electronics/circuits