Physics: Electricity

Objectives

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The overall objective of the four year Waldorf High School Science Curriculum is to provide basics for the four sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science. All four sciences are taught each year for 3 weeks each topic. The topics for each year are summarized in a diagram.

9th Grade:Heat Energy: Conduction, Convection, Radiant, Heat engines; Solids, liquids, gasses, Pressure and Vacuum Systems: Gasses and Liquids; House Utility Systems
10th Grade: Mechanics : Motion and Static, Energy and Momentum Conservation
11th Grade: Electricity: Generation and Distribution, AC and DC
12th Grade: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Electric and Magnetic Fields, Radio Frequency, Energy Systems: Ecology: Environment: Think Globally, Act Locally

For Physics

The strategy for the teaching of mechanics is to demonstrate the principles by using objects commonly encountered in regular living. By learning to use them the student learns the physics principle. As automobiles are the largest user of energy in one‘s life, it is explored extensively. Student Presentations are used to provide examples of mechanical energy usage.

Topics

  1. What is Electricity, from the atomic perspective?
  2. How can one have a mental perception of Electricity on a human scale?
  3. Where does household Electricity come from?
    1. Energy “Sources”
    2. Central station Generation
    3. Transmission and Distribution: Transformers
    4. Distribution within a house
    5. End use devices
  4. Utility Electricity
    1. Environmental Considerations
    2. Thermodynamic Considerations
  5. Alternative Energy Systems
  6. Household wiring: Design, Construction and Repair
  7. End use devices considerations
  8. Motors - Principles and Theory of operation
  9. Generators - Mechanical to Electrical Energy Conversion
  10. Electro Chemistry : Batteries and Industrial processes
  11. Auto Motive Electricity
  12. Tours:
    1. Building Electrical Systems
    2. Central Station Power Plant
  13. Conservation of Energy:
    1. Minimizing use
    2. Accounting for all the energy conversions: Efficiency
  14. Schematics
  15. Electrical Math: Ohm’s Law
  16. Series and Parallel Circuits
  17. AC and DC
  18. Measuring Electricity:
    1. Digital MultiMeter
    2. Oscilloscope
  19. Electric and Magnetic Fields