Results

• Determine the variables that affect the strength and direction of the electric field for a static arrangement of charges.
• Investigate the variables that affect the strength of the electrostatic potential (voltage).
• Explain equipotential lines and compare them to the electric field lines.
• For an arrangement of static charges, predict the electric field lines. Verify the prediction using vector addition.

• Explain basic electricity relationships in series and parallel circuits.
• Use an ammeter and voltmeter to take readings in circuits.
• Provide reasoning to explain the measurements and relationships in circuits.
• Build circuits from schematic drawings.
• Determine if common objects are conductors or insulators.
• Compare and contrast AC and DC circuits.
• Describe how capacitors and inductors behave in a circuit.
• Experimentally determine the RC time constant.
• Construct RLC circuits and determine the conditions for resonance.

• Explore basic electricity relationships.
• Explain basic electricity relationships in series and parallel circuits.
• Use an ammeter and voltmeter to take readings in circuits.
• Provide reasoning to explain the measurements and relationships in circuits.
• Build circuits from schematic drawings.
• Determine if common objects are conductors or insulators.

• Relate the electrostatic force magnitude to the charges and the distance between them
• Explain Newton's third law for electrostatic forces
• Use measurements to determine Coulomb’s constant
• Determine what makes a force attractive or repulsive

In this lesson you will learn that:

• Circuit diagrams are used to show how electrical components are connected in a circuit.
• Individual circuit components are represented using circuit symbols.
• Current is the flow of electrons around a circuit.
• Ammeters are used to measure the current flowing through components. 
• Components in a circuit resist current flow.
• Voltmeters are used to measure the potential difference across components.

The Earth behaves like a giant bar magnet and as such there is a magnetic field present around it. The Earth’s magnetic field is thought to be caused by flowing liquid metals in the outer core of the planet which causes electric currents and a magnetic field.

You have learnt about static electricity where charged particles (electrons) can move from one object into another giving objects an overall charge. In this unit1 you will learn about current electricity. This is when a continuous flow of charge can be created using a circuit made of conducting wires and an energy source.

The flicker of numbers on a handheld calculator, nerve impulses carrying signals of vision to the brain, an ultrasound device sending a signal to a computer screen, the brain sending a message for a baby to twitch its toes, an electric train pulling into a station, a hydroelectric plant sending energy to metropolitan and rural users—these and many other examples of electricity involve electric current, which is the movement of charge. Humanity has harnessed electricity, the basis of this technology, to improve our quality of life. 

A force diagram is a useful tool to help us visualise forces acting on an object and gives us informa- tion about the object’s motion. We often use force diagrams when solving calculations involving the forces acting on an object.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

1. Define and explain what a force is
2. List and describe the main kinds of forces
3. Explain the effects of a force