Direct Current Teacher Resources

How does a direct current run a motor? Pupils control five variables in an electric motor and observe how the force diagram changes. The force, magnetic field, and current vary based on the changes in the design of the magnet and...

Malcolm and Angus Young developed an idea for a band's name after their sister, Margaret Young, saw the initials "AC/DC" on a sewing machine. Although this video is not about a famous rock band, it does explain alternating versus direct...

Students investigate the properites of a semiconductor device known as a diode. They recognize a diode as a one way conducting device. They describe alternating current and the use of a diode to convert it to direct current. Students...

Students explore the idea of magnetic field through investigations of magnetic fields as produced by various common magnetic materials and direct currents. They study the vector nature of fields, the ubiquity of field sources in the...

Investigate the construction of the electric circuit with a thorough presentation that provides a solid background for each type of circuit. After introducing key vocabulary, the lesson goes on to explain circuit design.

Take a look at an organized physics course. The 34-section electronic textbook covers material in AP® Physics 1 and 2. Teachers use the text to supplement lectures and have the class work through the labs. Each section contains...

I don't get electricity jokes, watts so funny about them? The 13th in a series of presentations covers energy, motors, currents, generating electricity, calculating electrical energy cost, transformers, and batteries.

How does electricity work? Budding scientists explore the concepts of electrical currents and open and closed circuits with class discussion and a hands-on activity using a battery to turn on a light bulb. Learners also make predictions...

British electrician William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet in 1825, and it's come a long way since then! A video explains electromagnets and electromagnetic induction. It describes currents, magnetic fields, alternating currents,...

Nikola Tesla is known for alternating current and contributing to many modern inventions. He is also known for forgetting to write down how he did things and losing his mind. 

High voltage power lines deliver electricity to homes, but each home requires low voltage. How does the energy get converted so it can be used safely? Pupils explore alternating current and transformers through a simulation. They control...

Pupils learn about electrical transformers and how they work. An educational video details the process for both step up and step down transformers that rely on electromagnetic induction. 

I get a charge out of this. In order to learn how a generator works, groups build and test one in this ninth lesson of the series. The generators are tested at low speed and high speed to determine the watt output and whether they have...

Third graders discuss how energy is created. In this energy lesson, 3rd graders look at how a city receives energy and how it is made. They create their own generator using a pin wheel and pipe cleaners. 

High schoolers can hone their research skills by employing the Internet to find the answers to the trivia questions presented in this on-line learning exercise. This resource focuses on questions about the band AC/DC. There are ten...

Back in Black is one of AC/DC's famous rock albums. Quiz your class' knowledge of this album with the 10 multiple-choice questions on this worksheet. Note: You can print this out, or have your class take the quiz online. Answers are...

Use the Internet as a research tool for your High schoolers. They must discover the answers to the trivia questions presented in this on-line activity. This resource focuses on questions about the bass player for the band AC/DC, Cliff...

Quiz your class' knowledge of AC/DC's songs. There are 10 multiple-choice questions on these worksheet. Note: You can print this out, or have your class take the quiz online. Answers are provided after submitting answers online.

High schoolers search the Internet using their research skills to find the answers to questions about the band AC/DC. There are ten questions posed.

Quiz your pupils' knowledge of the popular metal band AC/DC. There are 10 multiple-choice questions on this learning exercise.

Music in the 80s includes the various lyrics and notes of AC/DC. While teaching a unit on the 80s, don't forget to include AC/DC during a discussion on pop culture. There are 10 multiple-choice questions about AC/DC in the 80s on...

High school pupils sharpen Internet research skills with this online lesson. It asks 10 questions about the band AC/DC.

Essentially a list of definitions, this slide show will help your students understand the generation of electrical currents using magnets.  There is information comparing the frequencies of currents produced and two slides to detail...