Electricity and Magnetism

Unit Plan
Anticipated Time Required: 10 class periods (50 minutes each)
Previous Unit: Work, Power and Energy
Next Unit: Waves
Objectives:
1. Explain why some materials conduct electricity better than others
2. Describe and construct series and parallel circuits and measure voltage and
current differences for each
3. Use Ohms Law to explain relative resistances, currents, and voltage.
4. Explain how electricity induces magnetism and how magnetism induces
electricity
5. Construct electromagnets and explain how magnets interact
Vocabulary: electric charge, electrical conductor, electrical insulator, electric force, electric field,
electrical potential energy, cell, current, resistance, electrical circuit, series, parallel, electrical
energy, fuse, circuit breaker, magnetic pole, magnetic field, electromagnet, electric motor,
electromagnetic induction

Lesson Title

Description

Time

Resources

Intro to Magnetism
and Electricity

Students will describe intuitive

examples of magnetism and
electricity in everyday life.
Students will take notes on the
basics of magnetism and electricity

25 minutes

Powerpoint Lecture
Guided notes outline

Electric Charge

Students will review atomic

chemistry through a mini lab
involving tape and electric charge.

25 minutes

Lab: Electric Charge

Mini-Lab
pp. 544

CondActivity
(Conductivity Activity)

Students will see through examples

that electricity flows through some
materials better than others

50 minutes

Powerpoint Lecture
Guided Notes Outline

Series and Parallel

Circuits

Students will construct series and

parallel circuits using wire,
batteries, light bulbs, electric
motors.

100 minutes

Circuits Lab Handout

Ohms Law

Students will take notes about

50 minutes

Powerpoint Lecture

Ohms Law and then apply the law

to practice problems.

Ohms Law practice

Handout

Electromagnets

Students will construct

electromagnets and draw and label
diagrams of how they work.

100 minutes

Electromagnet Lab
Handout

Vocabulary Review

Students will review vocabulary

with partners by unscrambling
vocabulary words and defining
them.

50 minutes

Scrambled vocabulary
words folders.

Test Review

Students will review major concepts

from this chapter and complete a
study guide for the test.

50 minutes

Study Guide

Chapter Test

Students will show their knowledge

of magnetism and electricity

50 minutes

Chapter Test

Optional Activities: To be used with extra time or when less than 50% of class is present.

Bill Nye: Electricity

Highlights main concepts of electricity.

Students complete a handout that goes along
with video.

Bill Nye: Magnetism

Highlights main concepts of magnetism.

Students complete a handout that goes along
with video.

Tesla Motors - The Future of Electric Cars

Documentary shows the future of electric cars

and how a very old idea is used in a new and
unique way. Students complete a handout
that goes along with the video.

Fast Times at West Philly High

This documentary bridges the gap between

innovative electric cars and local high school
students. Students complete a handout that
goes along with the video.