Lesson plan of Electricity: Potential Difference

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Conceptual Understanding:

   • Students should be able to understand and explain the concept of electric potential difference.
   • They should be able to identify the quantities involved in potential difference, such as voltage and electric charge.
   • Students should be able to differentiate between the potential difference of a series and parallel circuit.

2. Practical Application:

   • Students should be able to apply the concept of electric potential difference to real-life scenarios, such as how a switch works, a light bulb in a circuit, or the operation of a cellphone charger.

3. Skill Development:

   • Students should develop problem-solving skills by applying the theory of potential difference to practical exercises.
   • They should be able to work in teams to solve complex problems involving electric potential difference.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Prior Knowledge:

   • Begin the lesson by reviewing basic electricity concepts that students have already learned, such as electric charge, electric current, and electrical resistance. These concepts are fundamental to understanding the lesson's topic: electric potential difference.

2. Problem Situation:

   • Pose two problem situations to spark students' thinking. The first could be about how a light bulb works in a simple electric circuit, asking why the light bulb glows brighter when a new battery replaces a used one. The second situation could be about using a cell phone charger, asking why the cell phone won't turn on if the plug is not connected to an electrical outlet.

3. Contextualization:

   • Then explain the importance of studying electric potential difference, explaining how this concept is crucial for the functioning of various electrical appliances and systems present in our daily lives, from light bulbs and cell phone chargers to power plants.

4. Introduction to the Topic:

   • To capture students' attention, share two fun facts. The first is about the world's largest natural potential difference, which occurs during thunderstorms and is responsible for lightning, which can reach up to 1 billion volts. The second fun fact is about the application of potential difference in medicine, such as in electrocardiography, which measures the electrical activity of the heart.

5. Presentation of the Topic:

   • Now, introduce the lesson's topic: the electric potential difference. Explain that potential difference is the "force" that drives electrons to move in an electric circuit and is measured in volts. Also, mention that the potential difference is the cause of the movement of electrons in a wire, generating electric current.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity "Potential Difference Circuit" (10 - 15 minutes):

   • In this activity, divide students into groups of up to 5 people. Provide each group with a "Circuit Kit," which includes a battery, conductive wires, light bulbs, and switches. The goal is to build a simple circuit and observe the changes in the brightness of the light bulbs as the number of batteries in the circuit changes.

   • This activity will allow students to visualize and understand potential difference in practice. They will be able to observe that as the number of batteries increases, the brightness of the bulb increases, indicating an increase in potential difference. Also, by opening and closing the switch, they will see how the potential difference influences the flow of electric current.

   • While the activity is in progress, circulate around the room, assisting the groups, asking guiding questions, and encouraging discussion among students. Also, ensure safety by reinforcing the importance of handling electrical components with care.

2. Activity "Cell Phone Charger Challenge" (10 - 15 minutes):

   • In this activity, challenge the groups to create an "Improvised Cell Phone Charger" using materials available in the classroom (for example, copper wire, aluminum foil, lemons or potatoes as an energy source).

   • Students will have to apply the concept of potential difference to create a circuit capable of charging a cellphone (or an LED if using a cellphone is not possible in the classroom).

   • This activity promotes creativity, teamwork, and the practical application of the potential difference concept. It also allows students to realize the importance of potential difference in the operation of a cell phone charger, a device that is part of everyone's daily life.

   • Circulate around the room, assisting the groups, asking questions to guide students' thinking, and encouraging discussion. Emphasize the importance of finding safe and efficient solutions.

Wrap-Up (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (5 - 6 minutes):

   • Gather all students and facilitate a group discussion about the solutions each team found in the "Cell Phone Charger Challenge" activity. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to present their solution, explaining the circuit they created and how they applied the potential difference concept.

   • During the presentations, encourage other students to ask questions and provide feedback, promoting interaction and the exchange of ideas among the groups. Also, ask questions to check students' understanding of potential difference and how it was applied in the activity.

   • After all the presentations, summarize the main ideas discussed, reinforcing the potential difference concepts and their practical application.

2. Connection to the Theory (2 - 3 minutes):

   • Bridge the gap between the hands-on activities and the theory covered. For example, point out how the brightness of the light bulb in the "Potential Difference Circuit" represented the electric current, which is influenced by the potential difference.

   • Similarly, explain how the circuits created in the "Cell Phone Charger Challenge" depended on the potential difference to function, and how the electric current was generated from this potential difference.

3. Individual Reflection (3 - 4 minutes):

   • To wrap up the lesson, invite students to reflect individually on what they have learned. Ask questions like: "What was the most important concept learned today?" and "What questions still need to be answered?"

   • Give students a minute to reflect, then ask for a few volunteers to share their reflections with the class. Listen attentively and provide feedback, clarifying doubts and reinforcing key concepts.

   • Also, encourage students to write down their questions and reflections to bring to the next class, ensuring continuous and progressive learning.

Conclusion (3 - 5 minutes)

1. Content Recap (1 - 2 minutes):

   • Begin the Conclusion of the lesson by summarizing the main points covered. This includes defining electric potential difference, understanding the quantities involved (voltage and electric charge), and distinguishing the potential difference in series and parallel circuits.

   • Reinforce the importance of these concepts for understanding the functioning of various electrical appliances and systems present in students' daily lives.

2. Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 minute):

   • Then, establish the connection between the theory, the hands-on activities, and real-world applications. Remind students how the "Potential Difference Circuit" and "Cell Phone Charger Challenge" activities enabled the practical application of the potential difference concept.

   • Also, emphasize how understanding potential difference is crucial for comprehending the operation of various electrical devices and systems present in our daily lives.

3. Extra Materials (1 minute):

   • Suggest extra materials for students who want to delve deeper into the subject. This could include educational videos, physics websites, textbooks, and so on. For example, suggest the "Potato Battery" experiment as a complementary activity to explore electric potential difference further.

4. Importance of the Topic (1 minute):

   • Finally, highlight the importance of the covered topic for students' daily lives. Reinforce that understanding electric potential difference is essential for comprehending how electricity works in our lives, from the functioning of light bulbs and cell phone chargers to complex power distribution systems.
   • Also, emphasize that the knowledge gained in this lesson can be useful not only for physics but also for other disciplines and fields of study, such as engineering, medicine, and computer science.