This topic can involve a lot of industrial and everyday applications. We use electric devices in everyday life.
These electric devices need DC electric circuits.
The following outline a number of applications, and contexts which are based on the concepts of DC electricity and circuits:
- The electric circuit elements are parts of electric devices. Changing the electric resistance of resistors can change the current in the circuit and hence we can change the lamp brightness, the speed of a race car, etc. Electric resistance is used in archaeology for electrical resistance survey of the potential excavation sites.
- The Light-dependent resistors are used to switch the light on at night.
- Diodes gave basis for the wide development of electronics. Light-emitting diodes are widely used instead of bulbs.
- Teaching about different elements in electric circuit gives opportunity to visit a place where electronic devices are dismantled into electronic components and separated. The excursion can lead to discussion about possible environmental problems connected with electronic waste.
- The temperature dependence of metal or semiconductor (thermistor) resistance leads to the application of this in thermometer design.
- To engage students in technological design they can design and build their own thermometer.
- The applications of Ohm´s Law can involve also the effect of electric current on human body and the ways how to increase safety to prevent from being electrically shocked.
- The concept of power and energy delivered to the load can be illustrated by the examples of electric devices and their corresponding power input and comparing different electric devices comparing their energy consumption. The incandescent bulbs compared to other types of electric lights can be a good example of the different power input towards more energy-efficient lighting.
- The wide industrial application is connected with the concept of battery. Students can build their own simple battery.
- The analysis of different batteries from the point of view of their emf, internal resistance, and energy supplied to the circuit and other important properties can give students a picture about the battery properties and their reasonable use in everyday life.
- The application in animal world (electric eel) can be a good example to illustrate the purpose of batteries in parallel and series.
- The environmental aspects of batteries disposal can be discussed and students can find where the nearest battery recycling place is and how and where we can get rid of the used batteries. This is also a good opportunity to find out information about the battery electric vehicle.
- Connected to the batteries as sources of energy students could look for other electrochemical sources, such like fuel cells or photovoltaic cells (used in solar panels).