Page 1
+
ward
'
s
science
5100 West Henrietta Road • PO Box 92912 • Rochester, New York 14692-9012 • p: 800 962-2660 • wardsci.com
Find materials for this activity at wardsci.com.
Discover more free activities at wardsworld.wardsci.com
Resistance is Futile
Submitted by: Chris P.
Recommended Grade Level(s):
Appropriate for: Grades 10 – 12
Time Requirements:
Activity Time: Lab wil take about 1 class period (~55 minutes) for students to collect necessary data,
and addition 1 or 2 class periods may be required for discussion and analysis of results.
Teaching Topics & Concepts:
Physics. Resistance. Voltage.
National Science Standards Alignment
The lab exercise aligns with the content requirements for the AP Physics 2 Unit 4 on Electric Circuits. It would also align with NGSS
standards concerning electric current, resistance and circuits as well as some standards associated with the engineering standards,
science methods and data analysis.
Materials:
• DC Power Supply—Variable Voltage
• Knife Switch
• Alligator clip leads
• Voltmeter
• Ammeter
• 2 mm diameter graphite drafting pencil leads (2B, 1H, 3H, and 9H grades recommended)
Safety:
• There are no major hazards present as long as the current and voltage levels are kept relatively low ( <5.0 V ).
Students should be forewarned that the pencil lead may become hot to the touch (this will affect pencil lead resistivity also).
This content is being brought to you by the Ward's World,
Science By You program. This program brings lesson and
classroom activity ideas directly from science teachers
around the nation right to you. From best practices to
activities, Science by You offers inspiration for every subject
and every grade level. Interested in sharing your own
content? Learn how today.
PMS200
Black 70%
Cool Gray 10
Black
Astra Regular get for
free from dafont.com
Scan the QR code
for a digital copy
of this activity.
