Inquiry Based Methods for Combinations of Capacitors
Douglas YoungMercer University Physics Department
AAPT-SAC MeetingMarch 6, 2004
Review: Lightbulbs & Batteries Exercises
● Long and venerable history:– “Teaching electricity with batteries and bulbs,” James
Evans, TPT 16 p. 15-22 (Jan 1978)
– “Research as a guide for curriculum development: An example from introductory electricity. Part I: Investigation of student understanding,” Peter Shaffer and Lillian McDermott AJP 60 (11) p. 994-1003 (November 1992)
– “Research as a guide for curriculum development: An example from introductory electricity. Part II: Design of instructional strategies,” Peter Shaffer and Lillian McDermott AJP 60 (11) p. 1003-1013 (November 1992)
Archetype Inquiry-based batteries/bulbs problem
Treatment of Combinations of Capacitors in Inquiry-Based Literature – PEG
Tutorials
My idea
➢Use RC circuit to teach capacitance ➢=RC for RC circuit, using C=1 F capacitors and lightbulb for R➢Demo
Problem
● Higher initial voltage causes discharge to take about the same amount of time => Ruins capacitance measurements
● Charge to same voltage; Charge as a unit
● Demo
Capacitors in Parallel
Ultimate Objective
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