Light and Electrical Circuits: Explain What You Learned
Complete the following McGraw Hill Connect activities for Tillery’s Physical Science. For each activity, write two or three paragraphs explaining what you learned.
Use complete sentences, your own words, and specific examples from your work. Explain what happened, why it happened, and what evidence supports your explanation. Use only situations and values that actually appeared in your activity.
Dual Nature of Light ABA
Address the following:
Describe the situation presented in the activity and the questions you considered about light. Explain what it means for light to exhibit both wave behavior and particle behavior. Describe one example of wave behavior discussed in the activity. Explain how the wave model helps account for that observation. Describe one example of particle behavior discussed in the activity. Explain how the photon model helps account for that observation. Explain how wavelength, frequency, and photon energy are related. Describe what happens to frequency and photon energy as wavelength decreases. Select one question or decision from the activity. Explain which model of light helped you answer it and why. Describe one idea that became clearer or one misconception you corrected. If the activity included calculations, show one example with units. Otherwise, use a specific observation or comparison as evidence.
Electrical Circuits—Power ABA
Address the following:
Describe the circuit or practical situation examined in the activity. Explain the difference between electrical power and electrical energy. Identify the units used for each. Explain how voltage and current determine power using P = IV. Show one power calculation using values from the activity. Include units and interpret your answer. Explain how operating time affects the energy consumed using E = Pt. Keep the units consistent. Describe the energy transformations that occurred in one electrical device from the activity. If the activity included energy costs, explain how energy use and the price per kilowatt-hour determined the cost. Explain why a device’s power rating alone does not tell you its total energy consumption. Use a specific example to support your explanation.
Parallel Electrical Circuits ABA
Address the following:
Describe the parallel circuit examined in the activity. Explain how its branches provide multiple paths for current. Explain how the voltage across each branch compares with the source voltage. Explain how the current through each branch contributes to the total current supplied by the source. Use an example to explain how branch resistance affects branch current. Explain what happens to equivalent resistance and total current when another resistor is added in parallel, assuming the source voltage remains constant. Describe what happens to the other branches if one branch is opened or disconnected. Show one calculation from the activity involving current, voltage, or equivalent resistance. Include units and explain your reasoning. Connect your learning to a practical example, such as household wiring. Explain why parallel connections allow devices to operate independently.
Series Electrical Circuits ABA
Address the following:
Describe the series circuit examined in the activity. Explain why it provides a single path for current. Explain how the current through each component compares with the current supplied by the source. Explain how the voltage drops across the components relate to the source voltage. Explain how individual resistances determine total resistance using R_total = R₁ + R₂ + …. Describe what happens to total resistance and current when another resistor is added in series, assuming the source voltage remains constant. Explain what happens to the circuit if one connection is opened or one component breaks the conducting path. Show one calculation from the activity using V = IR or the total resistance relationship. Include units and interpret your result. If the activity included bulbs, explain any brightness differences using the circuit conditions and power dissipated by the bulbs. Avoid assuming that all bulbs have identical properties unless the activity states this.
Connect the Circuit Activities
After completing the three electrical circuit responses, write a short comparison paragraph. Explain: