Learning Goals
- Students will use multimeters to measure voltage and current in circuits.
- Students will use collected data and be able to make power calculations from this data.
- Students will also be able to calculate efficiency from their power calculations.
- Students will be able to compare efficiencies in order to identify the circuit that is most efficient.
- Students will be able to make circuits from a diagram and vice versa.
Materials List
Group Supplies (2-4 Students)
- AA battery holders – 10-AA and 12-AA in series (1 per group of 2-3)
- AA rechargeable batteries – 10-12 per group
- Car cigarette lighter USB chargers – 1 per group, but each group should have a different brand for group comparisons
- USB current/voltage meters
- Multimeters (2 per group – one for voltage and one for current)
- ATC fuse holders (used for measuring current) 1 per group (see pics below)
- Cell phone or device that uses a USB plug for charging – students can bring in a USB charging cord for their phone, or instructor can supply any USB charging device. I used LED bike tail lights that charge with a USB.
- Male and female DC power plugs with pigtails (1 each per group)
- 12V female cigarette lighter plugs with pigtails (1 each per group)
Important Links
Next Generation Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
- HS-PS3-1. Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.
Featured Image Description
Drawn on a white board in red marker 12 V CAR CHARGER FOR USB DEVICE underneath is a circuit diagram showing a ATC Holder (empty) to battery pack (12V) with DC female power plugs coming off of it to the right the male plugs connect to a female cigarette socket. A male cigarette plug (car charger) connects to the USB meter with power lines connecting off the bottom of the image. All junctions are labeled as listed in the description.