Voltage and Current in Parallel Circuits

An animation, with explanatory text, showing how current is divided between the branches of a parallel circuit but the potential difference across each branch is the same.

I have many others of the same format; these can be seen by visiting my shop on the TES website (search: rtyler62).

If you buy this resource, please print the Readme document as it contains the instructions and details of the files included.

NOTE: MACROS MUST BE ENABLED FOR ALL POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

Support material
Readme (instructions for whole lesson)
Learning outcomes (PowerPoint)
Starter activity (PowerPoint and worksheet)
Main activity (PowerPoint presentation)
Assessment (worksheets with answer sheets - differentiated)
Lesson notes (handout – 2 x A5 on A4 paper)
Plenary activity (PowerPoint and worksheet)

Users and timings
It is intended for all science teachers but particularly those who are not physics specialists and is, primarily, aimed at 11 to 14 year old pupils. Normally, the activities would fill a 45 to 60 minute lesson but could easily be extended to two lessons.

Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are based on Bloom’s taxonomy of hierarchical classification: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The lesson title and learning outcomes are:

Why does adding components in parallel increase current?

Learning outcomes

Analysis
To calculate the total current flowing through a parallel circuit.
To calculate the current flowing through each branch of a parallel circuit.

Differentiation
The activities have varying degrees of differentiation; please refer to the Readme document.