(9-12) H8

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 06/29/04

9-12

H8: Compare and contrast how conductors, semiconductors, and superconductors work and describe their present and potential uses.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

In this system, what would be the effect of using a material with a different electrical resistance in a certain part?

What possible uses could superconductors have?

Elaboration
This should be a qualitative comparison.

Specific Ideas

In some materials, such as metals, electrons flow easily, whereas in insulating materials, such as glass, they can hardly flow at all. Semiconducting materials have intermediate behavior.benchmarks 4G4.

Low temperatures usually increase the flow rate of electrical current. At low temperatures some materials become superconductors and offer no resistance to the flow of electrons.Benchmarks 4G4.

Conductivity is determined by material structure.Benchmarks 4G4.

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

Examples

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Curriculum Organizing Questions	In this system, what would be the effect of using a material with a different electrical resistance in a certain part? What possible uses could superconductors have?
Elaboration	This should be a qualitative comparison.
Specific Ideas	In some materials, such as metals, electrons flow easily, whereas in insulating materials, such as glass, they can hardly flow at all. Semiconducting materials have intermediate behavior.benchmarks 4G4. Low temperatures usually increase the flow rate of electrical current. At low temperatures some materials become superconductors and offer no resistance to the flow of electrons.Benchmarks 4G4. Conductivity is determined by material structure.Benchmarks 4G4.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Driver et al offer insights into children's thinking about electricity on pages 117-125.
Examples