Topic: Electric Circuits
4.3.1 Circuit Diagrams and Components
Lesson 1: Introduction to Circuit Components
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Identify and interpret symbols for common circuit components.– Understand the behavior of components such as cells, resistors, switches, thermistors, LDRs, and fuses in a circuit. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a simple circuit diagram and ask students to identify the components.Main (25 mins): 1. Introduce common circuit symbols (e.g., cells, batteries, resistors, switches).2. Discuss the behavior of key components, such as fixed and variable resistors, thermistors, and LDRs, and their real-life applications.3. Practice drawing circuit diagrams using these components.Plenary (10 mins): Students draw a circuit diagram based on a given description. |
| Resources | Circuit diagrams, symbol charts, whiteboard for practice. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Draw a circuit diagram containing a battery, lamp, switch, and ammeter, and label the components. |
| Assessment | Students correctly identify and draw circuit components during the plenary. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/31/M/J/19 Q4(a). |
Lesson 2: Advanced Circuit Components
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing diodes and LEDs.– Understand how diodes and LEDs behave in circuits. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a practical example of an LED in use and ask students to identify its role in the circuit.Main (25 mins): 1. Introduce the symbols for diodes and LEDs.2. Explain how diodes allow current to flow in one direction only and how LEDs emit light when conducting.3. Practice drawing circuits with diodes and LEDs.Plenary (10 mins): Students explain the function of a diode in a given circuit diagram. |
| Resources | Diodes, LEDs, circuit diagrams, whiteboard for practice. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Research one real-life application of LEDs and write a paragraph explaining its advantages. |
| Assessment | Students identify the behavior of diodes and LEDs during discussions. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/42/O/N/20 Q5(a). |
4.3.2 Series and Parallel Circuits
Lesson 3: Series Circuits
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Understand that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same.– Calculate the combined resistance of resistors in series. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a simple series circuit and ask students what happens to the current if more components are added.Main (25 mins): 1. Explain the properties of series circuits (e.g., same current at all points, combined resistance is the sum of individual resistances).2. Demonstrate and calculate combined resistance in a series circuit.Plenary (10 mins): Students solve a problem involving current and resistance in a series circuit. |
| Resources | Circuit components (battery, resistors, ammeter), worksheets with calculations. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Solve numerical problems involving current and resistance in series circuits. |
| Assessment | Students calculate resistance in series circuits and explain current flow during the activity. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/31/M/J/20 Q6(b). |
Lesson 4: Parallel Circuits
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Understand that the total current from the source is larger than the current in each branch.– State that the combined resistance of resistors in parallel is less than that of any single resistor. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a parallel circuit with two branches and ask students to predict the current in each branch.Main (25 mins): 1. Explain the properties of parallel circuits (e.g., current splits at junctions, combined resistance is less than any single resistor).2. Demonstrate current measurement in each branch and calculate total current.3. Discuss the advantages of parallel connections in lighting circuits.Plenary (10 mins): Students calculate total resistance in a parallel circuit. |
| Resources | Parallel circuit setup, ammeters, resistors, worksheets for calculations. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Solve numerical problems involving current and resistance in parallel circuits. |
| Assessment | Students calculate total resistance and explain current flow during the activity. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/42/M/J/19 Q6(a). |
4.3.3 Action and Use of Circuit Components
Lesson 5: Potential Divider and Variable Resistance
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Understand that p.d. across a conductor increases with resistance for a constant current.– Describe the action of a variable potential divider. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a circuit with a variable resistor and ask how it can be used to control brightness in a lamp.Main (25 mins): 1. Explain how a potential divider works by varying the p.d. across components.2. Demonstrate the use of a variable resistor in a circuit to adjust p.d.3. Introduce the formula for two resistors used as a potential divider: R1R2=V1V2\frac{R_1}{R_2} = \frac{V_1}{V_2}.Plenary (10 mins): Students solve a problem involving a potential divider circuit. |
| Resources | Circuit components, variable resistors, worksheets for calculations. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Solve numerical problems using the potential divider formula. |
| Assessment | Students demonstrate the effect of a variable resistor on a circuit during the activity. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/31/O/N/20 Q5(c). |
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