Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 06/29/04

9-12

H7: Use mathematics to describe and predict electrical and magnetic activity (e.g., current, resistance, voltage).

Curriculum Organizing Questions

  • How are electricity and magnetism related?
  • How are electrical current, resistance, and voltage related?
  • What would you predict would happen to this system if this (the current, resistance, or voltage) were to change?
Elaboration

Electric and magnetic forces and the relationship between them ought to be treated mostly qualitatively. Most important is that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields and of some simple relations between magnets and electric currents.Benchmarks p. 93.

Specific Ideas

  • A very small excess or deficit of negative charges in a material produces noticeable electric forces. Benchmarks 4G3.
  • Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric fields. Science Matters p. 40.
  • The interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors, generators, and many other modern technologies, including the production of electromagnetic waves. These can be thought of as different aspects of a single electromagnetic force.Benchmarks 4G5.
  • Electric charge can have potential energy. The potential energy iof electric charge is measured in volts.Science Matters p. 44.
  • Voltage is calculated by multiplying electrical current times the electrical resistance. For example, if you double the voltage across a wire, the current through the wire will double.
  • Electricity and magnetism are two inseperable aspects of one phenomena. Science Matters p. 40.
Developmental & Instructional Implications

Driver et al offer insights into children's thinking about force on pages 148-153.

Driver et al offer insights into children's thinking about electricity on pages 117-125.

Examples

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