Students learn how to find the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) panel in order to optimize its efficiency at creating solar power. They also learn about real-world applications and technologies that use this technique, as well as Ohm's law and the power equation, which govern a PV panel's ability to produce power.

This activity helps students understand how a motor in a LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robot uses electricity produced by the battery to move a robot to do useful work in the form of throwing a ball. Students relate the concepts of electricity and battery to the movement of the LEGO NXT motor and connected links.

Students examine how the orientation of a photovoltaic (PV) panel relative to the sun affects the efficiency of the panel. Using sunshine (or a lamp) and a small PV panel connected to a digital multimeter, students vary the angle of the solar panel, record the resulting current output on a worksheet, and plot their experimental results.

This Nobel website on the life and scientific work of Robert A. Millikan includes a biography, images, and internet resources for further reading and research. Also included are the 1923 "Presentation Speech" which praised Millikan's work and Millikan's Nobel Lecture, " The electron and the light-quant from the experimental point of view," which is available in pdf format.

Learn about light switches and how to save electricity when they are turned off. Book includes audio narration in nine additional languages with text in English.

Students learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid."

In this extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students observe just how much time it takes to use up the "juice" in a battery, and if it is better to use batteries in series or parallel. This extension is suitable as a teacher demonstration and may be started before students begin work on the Ohm's Law I activity.

Students work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. They learn about Ohm's law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.

At this site from Georgia State University Ohm's law is stated in words and using equations. A JavaScript form allows for multiple practice problems with instant feedback and reinforcement. Kirchoff's current law is stated and illustrated for both a series and a parallel circuit.

Students learn that charge movement through a circuit depends on the resistance and arrangement of the circuit components. In a hands-on activity, students build and investigate the characteristics of series circuits. In another activity, students design and build a flashlight.

This is the PBS companion site to a video about Tesla. This particular page reviews Tesla's most notable invention, the Tesla coil. It's components are described as well as their general uses.

This is the PBS companion site to a video about Tesla. This particular page reviews Tesla's accomplishments and follows the events of his life that prove to be both tragic and inspiring. This comprehensive resource provides powerful insight into the contributions of this influential inventor.

Light up your love with paper circuits this Valentine’s Day—no soldering required! Create a sure-to-impress flashing birthday card or design a light-up Christmas card—all with paper circuits! In this activity, students are guided through the process to create simple paper circuitry using only copper tape, a coin cell battery, a light-emitting diode (LED) and small electronic components such as a LilyPad Button Board. Making light-up greeting cards with paper circuitry is great way to teach the basics of how circuits function while giving students an outlet to express their artistic creativity.

Students are presented with a short lesson on the Coulter principle—an electronic method to detect microscopic particles and determine their concentration in fluid. Depending on the focus of study, students can investigate the industrial and medical applications of particle detection, the physics of fluid flow and electric current through the apparatus, or the chemistry of the electrolytes used in the apparatus.

The People's Physics Book v3 is intended to be used as one small part of a multifaceted strategy to teach physics conceptually and mathematically

Explore the origin of energy bands in crystals of atoms. The structure of these bands determines how materials conduct electricity. Java required.

Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view.

Play ball! Add charges to the Field of Dreams and see how they react to the electric field. Turn on a background electric field and adjust the direction and magnitude. (Kevin Costner not included). Java required.

Play hockey with electric charges. Place charges on the ice, then hit start to try to get the puck in the goal. View the electric field. Trace the puck's motion. Make the game harder by placing walls in front of the goal. This is a clone of the popular simulation of the same name marketed by Physics Academic Software and written by Prof. Ruth Chabay of the Dept of Physics at North Carolina State University. Java required.

Play hockey with electric charges in this interactive electric hockey simulation. Place charges on the ice, then hit start to try to get the puck in the goal. As the game is being played, view the electric field, and trace the puck's motion.