Learning Outcomes for Static Electricity
Lesson Plans || Learning Outcomes and Activities || Teacher Notes || Labs
The list below displays sample learning objectives for the unit on Static Electricity. The various activities from the Lesson Plans have been organized by objective. This format of organizing The Physics Classroom's activities may be more useful to some teachers than the Lesson Plan format. It is worth noting that the activities identified below only include those activities included on the Lesson Plans and in the Pre-Built Task Tracker courses. Additional activities are referenced on the Teacher Notes page.
1. Charged vs. Uncharged Objects
Use an understanding of the structure of an atom to describe the distinction between neutral, positively-, and negatively-charged objects; in terms of subatomic particles, explain how a neutral object can become charged and how a charged object can become neutral.
Reading:
Video:
Labs:
Lab 1: Action at a Distance
Think Sheets:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
2. Charge Interactions
Identify all the interactions between the two types of charged objects and neutral objects; use such an understanding to make a claim regarding the type of charge on an object if given observations of how it interacts with objects of known charge.
Reading:
Video:
Labs:
Lab 2: Sticky Tape Experiments
Think Sheets:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
3. Polarization
Describe what charge polarization is and explain how it can occur in both conductors and insulators; diagram and discuss the orientation of charges within a polarized object.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Concept Builders:
4. Triboelectric Charging (a.k.a., "Charging by Friction")
Describe a procedure and the result of triboelectric charging; use an understanding of electron affinity and electron movement to explain how the charging method works.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
5. Charging by Conduction and Grounding
Describe a procedure and the result of charging by conduction; explain (with words and diagrams) how it occurs in terms of electron movement; do the same for grounding.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Minds On Physics:
Mission SE4 on Charging by Contact and the Grounding Process
6. Charging by Induction
Describe a procedure and the result of charging by induction; explain (with words and diagrams) how it occurs in terms of electron movement.
Reading:
Video:
Labs:
Lab 3: Pop Can Induction
Lab 4: Charging by Induction
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Minds On Physics:
Mission SE5 on Charging by Induction - Pop Can Induction
Mission SE6 on Charging by Induction - a Single Sphere
Mission SE7 on Charging by Induction - Electrophorus Plate
7. Coulomb's Law
Use the relationship between the electric force, the distance between the charged objects, and the quantity of charge on the objects in order to calculate the force or to predict the effect of changes in Q and d on the force.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Minds On Physics:
Mission SE8 on Coulomb's Law Equation as a Guide to Thinking
CalcPad Problem Sets:
8. Electric Field
Explain what an electric field is; describe how the strength of an electric field can be determined using a test charge; relate the strength of the electric field at a given location to the quantity of charge on the source and the distance from the source.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
CalcPad Problem Sets:
9. Electric Field Lines
Construct electric field line patterns around simple configurations of two or more charges and interpret electric field line patterns to make claims regarding the type and relative amount of charge on an object.
Reading:
Video:
Think Sheets:
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
Review Activities
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