This video uses the metaphor of a flowing river to explain how electric current flows and it describes the physics of how an electric current is generated using voltaic cells.
Students will learn about the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance described in Ohm's law, and how this law is used with the equation for power to calculate the power consumed in a circuit.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The video includes many helpful animations allowing students to visualize the concepts.
The speaker describes the equations that apply to the specific concepts.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with energy, electric charge, electric potential, and voltage.
The video is split into nine sections that can be played individually, making it easy to revisit areas of confusion.
Differentiation
The video moves very quickly and covers a lot of information. Teachers can play the video at a slower speed and pause periodically to aid in student understanding.
Math classes can use this video as a real-world application of variable substitution, which is explained through the use of Ohm's law with the equation for power.
Physics and engineering classes can explore how superconductors and other technologies are being used to increase efficiency in electricity production, transportation, and storage. Students can discuss how improving efficiency is important in the fight against climate change.
The topic of electric current is an important precursor to understanding how renewable energy sources are used to create electricity. Students can explore how voltaic cells are used in solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies.
Scientist Notes
This video uses a simple metaphor of flowing water down a river to talk about how electricity flows. The science in this video is sound and it is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
PS3: Energy
HS-PS3-2 Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).
Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)
Algebra: Reasoning with Equations & Inequalities (9-12)
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSA.REI.C.5 Prove that, given a system of two equations in two variables, replacing one equation by the sum of that equation and a multiple of the other produces a system with the same solutions.
