Objectives.
[1] Be able to give an operational definition of the term "Electric Circuit". Know what is required in order for current to flow in a circuit.
[2] Know the circuit diagram symbols for wire, batteries, bulbs, and switches. Be able to interpret a circuit diagram if given one.
[3] Given a circuit diagram containing light bulbs, be able to predict whether various bulbs will be lit or not. Be able to predict also the relative brightness of any illuminated bulbs.
[4] Know what a switch is and how simple switches are constructed. Know what happens when a switch is closed.
[5] Know what is meant by the terms "open circuit" and "closed circuit".
[6] Know what it means to "short circuit" or "short out" an element in a circuit.
[7] Given an actual circuit, be able to draw the corresponding circuit diagram that represents it.
[8] Given the circuit diagram for a particular circuit and the necessary materials, be able to construct the circuit itself.
[9] Be able to predict the relative amounts of current flowing through two different branches of an electric circuit.
[10] Know what is meant by the term "resistance". Be able to predict the relative resistances of arrangements of bulbs and/or other circuit elements.
[11] Realize that the total current flowing into a junction of wires equals that flowing out.
[12] Know the schematic symbol for a resistor.
[13] Be able to recognize when two circuit elements are in series, and realize what this implies about the current flowing through them.
[14] Be able to recognize when two circuit elements are in parallel, and realize what this implies about the current flowing through them.
[15] Be able to determine the total resistance of a number of circuit elements in series, if the resistance of each element is known.
[16] Be able to determine the total resistance of a number of circuit elements in parallel, if the resistance of each element is known.
[17] Be able to determine the total resistance of a combination of circuit elements that contains both series and parallel portions.
[18] Given a schematic diagram in which some of the currents are labeled, be able to label the remaining currents by conserving total current at the junctions.
[19] When a known amount of current splits among two branches in a circuit, be able to determine how much current will flow in each of the branches if the resistances of the two branches are known.
[20] Be able to describe qualitatively how a DC electric motor functions.