Download HPSC OBJ: Electrcity

HONORS PHYSICAL SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
Introduction to Electric Charge and DC Circuits
Objectives: By the end of this unit, you should be able to do the following…
 Define electric charge and explain where it comes from
 Compare and contrast positive charge and negative charge
 Describe the behavior of a charge in the presence of other charges
 Compare and contrast the behavior of electrical conductors and electrical insulators based on
their atomic structure
 Describe the following methods of charging an object: friction, contact/conduction
 Describe the separation of charges within neutral conductors to produce an induced charge
 Define electric force, including how the amount of electric force depends on charge and
distance
 Describe an electric field
 Explain how field lines describe the electric field
 Define electric potential energy and explain how the amount of electric potential energy can
change
 Define electric potential (voltage) and the SI unit used to measure it
 Describe how charges move and how their energy changes within a closed conducting path
when that path contains a voltage source (battery)
 Define current and the SI unit used to measure it
 Describe the difference between direct current and alternating current
 Define resistance and the SI used to measure it
 Use Ohm’s Law to determine the current, voltage, or resistance for an electrical component
 Describe a closed electrical circuit and an open electrical circuit
 Describe a series electric circuit, including the voltage, current, and changes to both based on
resistance
 Describe a parallel electric circuit, including the voltage, current, and changes to both based on
resistance in the individual conducting paths
 Compare and contrast series and parallel circuits
 Describe the differences in the equivalent resistance of resistors connected in series and
parallel.