A recent physics challenge shows a circuit, where a voltmeter is connected in series. Indeed, real voltmeters have finite input resistance, therefore, one may think that they can be used as resistors. In addition, voltmeters measure the voltage difference between their terminals, so it seems to be possible to calculate the current flowing through…

This paper aims to enable schools to make their own low-cost temperature logging instrument and to learn something about its calibration in the process. This paper describes how a thermistor can be integrated into a simple potential divider circuit which is powered with the sound output of a computer and monitored by the microphone input. The…

The present study investigates the effects that concreteness fading has on learning and transfer across three grade levels (4-6) in elementary school science education in comparison to learning with constantly concrete representations. 127 9- to 12-years-old elementary school students studied electric circuits in a computer-based simulation…

As science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education demands greater integration across all subject areas, technology teachers can showcase many of the cross-curricular projects already occurring inside their classrooms that intrigue students and build their STEM skills. Robotics, just one of those projects, has become an excellent…

This document presents a secondary level physics unit which introduces students to the Wheatstone Bridge, its use in determining the value of unknown resistors, and the effects of wiring resistors in series or in parallel. (SL)

Presents an experiment in which students can verify a number of basic ideas about electrical circuits and resistors. (CCM)

Presents an activity to construct a tester for electrical resistors. Contains discussion questions, extensions, curriculum correlations to health and art, and home links. Includes a reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)

Provides an activity where Ohm's Law deviates from linearity. Compares the current as a function of voltage for carbon resistors, a tungsten filament, and a light-emitting diode (LED). (MVL)

Describes the construction and operation of a temperature programmer; it can be built for less than $100 and can be used with any gas chromatograph that uses a variable resistor to control oven temperature. (MLH)

Describes a microcomputer-controlled system which determines the current/voltage characteristics of a resistor, lamp, and diode, detailing system elements, construction, and providing printout of the program developed to provide control and arithmetic functions necessary to complete the experiment. (SK)

Describes how to construct an electronic device to be used in conductivity experiments using a 35 millimeter film canister, nine volt battery replacement snaps, a 200-300 ohm resistor, and a light-emitting diode. Provides a diagram and photographs of the device. (TW)

Outlines advantages derived from constructing and using a Projectable Basic Electronics Kit and provides: (1) list of components; (2) diagrams of 10 finished components (resistor; capacitor; diode; switch; bulb; transistor; meter; variable capacitor; coil; connecting terminal); and (3) diode and transistor activities. (JN)

Presents several resistance measurement experiments based on the function of a magnetic multimeter. Resistance is measured in terms of the current that the internal dry cell drives through the unknown resistor connected across the input terminals. For use with digital and nondigital multimeters. (LZ)

Described is a LOGO computer program that enables students to investigate the relationship between a digital number and the resistance in a variable resistor used to generate that number. Likewise, actual temperature readings and the corresponding resistance within a thermistor can be used for data gathering and subsequent analysis. (JJK)

Describes how color graphics are built up on microcomputer displays and how a range of colors can be produced. Discusses the logic of color formation, noting that adding/subtracting color can be conveniently demonstrated. Color generating techniques in physics (resistor color coding and continuous spectrum production) are given with program…