Activity Number 318

	Overview and Learning Objectives
	Classroom Practice
	Central Concepts
	Benchmarks and Standards
	Extensions and Connections
	Macro Micro Link
	Activity Credits
	Requirements

Electric Current (SAM)

Interactive, scaffolded model

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	Overview and Learning Objectives Students explore the role of electron voltage and density on electric current. They compare the movement of electrons in a conductor and an insulator. They derive Ohm’s Law from their observations. They apply their understanding to circuits, the working of an incandescent light, and a fuel cell. Students will be able to: • Explain how voltage is the driving force behind electron movement. • Define electric current as the number of electrons flowing through a wire over a given period of time. • Explain how conductivity and resistivity relate to electric current. • Infer the relationships between current, voltage, and resistance as described in Ohm’s Law (I = V / R). • Explain how electricity can be converted to other forms of energy. Possible Student return to top



	Classroom Practice Teacher Guide: http://sam.concord.org/publications/teacher-guides/electric_current.ver7.pdf return to top



	Central Concepts Key Concept: Additional Related Concepts Physics/Chemistry Electron Voltage return to top



	Benchmarks and Standards AAAS THE PHYSICAL SETTING: FORCES OF NATURE - Different kinds of materials respond differently to electric forces (Full Text of Standard) return to top



	Extensions and Connections Fermi Lab's ARISE Project suggests the following enhancement to the SAM unit: http://www.concord.org/~barbara/SAM/ARISE/ARISE_SAM_electric_current.pdf return to top



	Macro Micro Link fuel cell, electron return to top



	Activity Credits Created by CC Project: SAM using Molecular Workbench return to top



	Requirements Java 1.5+ - Java 1.5+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.4 and greater. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3, you can download MW Version 1.3 and explore within it instead. return to top

These materials are based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under grant number DUE-0402553

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the National Science Foundation.

Electric Current (SAM)

Overview and Learning Objectives

Classroom Practice

Central Concepts

Additional Related Concepts

Benchmarks and Standards

Extensions and Connections

Macro Micro Link

Activity Credits

Requirements