Physics(Electric Circuit). Life Sciences Education Essay

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Physics (Electric Circuit)
Part 1
Comparing the brightness of the two bulbs in the circuit at the right
Bulbs A and B are equally bright. This is because the voltage in a series circuit is equally distributed among the two bulbs.
Rank the bulbs in the circuit at the right in order of brightness
B>A=C; If all the bulbs in the circuit are identical; Bulb B is the brightest while bulbs A and C are equally and less bright than B. This is because bulbs A and C have the same resistance and each share one half of the current that passes through bulb B.
Compare the brightness of bulb B in Circuit #1 to the brightness of bulb B in Circuit #2
Bulb B in Circuit #2 would be brighter than bulb b in #1. There is relatively higher resistance in Circuit #1 compared to #2. This is because there is usually less resistance when bulbs are connected in a parallel circuit than when in a series circuit. Hence, more current flows through bulb B in Circuit #2 than it does flow in bulb B in Circuit #1.
Compare the brightness of bulb A in Circuit #1 to the brightness of bulb A in Circuit #2
Bulb A in circuit #1 would be brighter than bulb A in Circuit #2. This is because bulb A in Circuit #2 gets half of the current in the circuit, which is split between bulbs A and C, which in effect, makes them less bright than bulb A in Circuit #1.
Summary of the Analysis
The second student, third, and the fifty students claim in question 2 (ii) of the pretest that bulb A in Circuit #1 would be dimmer than bulb B in circuit #2. On the contrary, the first and the forty students claim that bulbs A in both Circuits would have the same brightness, each with their explanations. However, the brightness bulb A and B of Circuit #1 are equal, just like the brightness of bulbs A and C of Circuit #2. Bulb B in Circuit #2 is the brightest followed by bulbs A and B of Circuit #1. Hence, the brightness of bulbs A and C of circuit #2 are equally and least bright of the two circuits. The logic is that only half of the current supplied by the cell circuit #2 flows via bulbs A and C. being identical, the two bulbs also have half the resistance. On the contrary, the same current that flows through bulb B in Circuit #1 flows through bulb A of the same circuit.
According to this analysis, the second, third, and the fifty students understand that bulb in parallel are brighter than those in series circuits. However, there are instances where other factors such as the number of bulbs, resistance, and amount of current in the circuit affect the amount of brightness in a parallel circuit. In this case, there is a bulb before the parallel connection that does not only offer resistance, but it also lowers the amount of current flowing through the circuit. The junction between bulbs A and C and bulb B also splits the current into two halves, which further reduces the amount of current flowing through each of the two bulbs.
Incorrect Answers

Analysis

The second student, third, and the fifty students claim in question 2 (ii) of the pretest that bulb A in Circuit #1 would be dimmer than bulb B in circuit #2. On the contrary, the first and the forty students claim that bulbs A in both Circuits would have the same brightness, each with their explanations.

The brightness bulb A and B of Circuit #1 are equal, just like the brightness of bulbs A and C of Circuit #2. Bulb B in Circuit #2 is the brightest followed by bulbs A and B of Circuit #1. Hence, the brightness of bulbs A and C of circuit #2 are equally and least bright of the two circuits. This is because only half of the current supplied by the cell circuit #2 flows via bulbs A and C.

The second student, third, and the fifty students claim in question 2 (ii) of the pretest that bulb A in Circuit #1 would be dimmer than bulb B in circuit #2. On the contrary, the first and the forty students claim that bulbs A in both Circuits would have the same brightness, each with their explanations.

According to this analysis, the second, third, and the fifty students understand that bulb in parallel are brighter than those in series circuits. However, there are instances where other factors such as the number of bulbs, resistance, and amount of current in the circuit affect the amount of brightness in a parallel circuit. In this case, there is a bulb before the parallel connection that does not only offer resistance, but it also lowers the amount of current flowing through the circuit.

Specific Difficulties
Firstly, students had problems expressing their points using scientific language and correct physics terminologies. For instance, a student repeatedly uses the term electricity to mean current and voltage. This limited their abilities to understand and communicate their intended messages and contents in a language that portrays a rich source of knowledge. Secondly, there is a clear indication from students’ answers that the concept of parallel and series connections is not clearly understood. This is particularly evident from their lack of proper explanations of concepts on matters of electricity. The two difficulties could, however, be addressed through continuous experiments and exercises because this will enable the students to gain experience and the necessary knowledge needed to master the subject as well as the language. The operations would also help to equip learners with the confidence required to address and explain their answers basing on their understanding of the subject in question.
Part II
Is the current through battery one greater than, less than, or equal to the current through battery 3
The current through cell 1 is less than the current through battery 3. This is because bulbs in circuit #1 are connected in series where hence, creating more resistance to the flow of current in circuit #1. On the other hand, the bulb in circuit #3 is connected in a parallel circuit. Hence, the current that flows in one bulb is the same as the current that flows through the entire circuit. Lamps in a parallel connection also have a relatively smaller resistance compared to bulbs in a series circuit. Therefore, there is a relatively higher flow of current in battery #3 than battery #1.
Is the current through battery two greater than, less than, or equal to the current through battery 3
The current through cell 2 is similar to the current through battery 3. This is true because the bulbs in circuit 3 are connected in a parallel connection where the current that flows through one bulb is the same as that which flows through the entire circuit. This also applies to the current through battery two because it receives the total current flowing through the whole circuit.
How the brightness of bulb B compare to the brightness in bulb C?
The brightness of bulb B and C would be the same; they both receive the same amount of current, which is ¼ of the total current that flows through the entire connection.
How the brightness of bulb A compares to the brightness of bulb B.
Bulb A will be comparatively brighter than bulb B because bulb B receives half the amount of current that flows through bulb A.
How the brightness of bulb D compares to the brightness of bulb E.
Bulbs D and E would be equally bright. This is because the two bulbs are in a parallel circuit connection, and the amount of current passing through the two bulbs is the same. Additionally, if the two lamps are identical, they would have the same resistance. Hence, bulbs D and E would have the same voltage.
How the brightness of bulb D compares to A.
The brightness of bulb A and D would be equal. This is because both bulbs receive ½ of the current that flows through the b...