OpenStax Physics (High School)
Lesson Plan
Parallel Circuits
Goals / Objectives
Identify a parallel circuit configuration and explain why parallel branches are independent
Calculate the equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel using 1/R_eq = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + ...
Apply Ohm's Law to find the voltage, branch currents, and total current in a parallel circuit
Apply Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) to verify that branch currents sum to the total current
Explain why household circuits are wired in parallel rather than series
Standards
19.3
"In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same and equal to the voltage of the source. The total current is the sum of the currents in the individual branches." "Kirchhoff's current law states that the sum of the currents entering any junction must equal the sum of the currents leaving that junction."
Academic Vocabulary
Not in our source material
Remediation
Enrichment
This lesson’s brief has no Differentiation
Accommodations
Not in our source material
Anticipatory Set / Bell Work
Modeling
Check for Understanding
This lesson’s brief has no Formative Assessment or Assessment Ideas