Science learning for undergraduate students requires grasping a great number of theoretical concepts in a rather short time. In our experience, this is especially difficult when students are required to simultaneously use abstract concepts, mathematical reasoning, and graphical analysis, such as occurs when learning about RC circuits. We present a simple experimental model in this work that allows students to easily design, build, and analyze RC circuits, thus providing an opportunity to test personal ideas, build graphical descriptions, and explore the meaning of the respective mathematical models, ultimately gaining a better grasp of the concepts involved. The result suggests that the simple setup indeed helps untrained students to visualize the essential points of this kind of circuit.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
PAPERS|
May 01 2018
Learning Abstract Physical Concepts from Experience: Design and Use of an RC Circuit
Alfredo Parra;
Alfredo Parra
Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile
, Chile
Search for other works by this author on:
Jorge Ordenes;
Jorge Ordenes
Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile
, Chile
Search for other works by this author on:
Milton de la Fuente
Milton de la Fuente
Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile
, Chile
Search for other works by this author on:
Phys. Teach. 56, 310–312 (2018)
Citation
Alfredo Parra, Jorge Ordenes, Milton de la Fuente; Learning Abstract Physical Concepts from Experience: Design and Use of an RC Circuit. Phys. Teach. 1 May 2018; 56 (5): 310–312. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.5033878
Download citation file:
Pay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Citing articles via
A “Perpetual Motion Machine” Powered by Electromagnetism
Hollis Williams
Jack Reacher and the Deployment of an Airbag
Gregory A. DiLisi, Richard A. Rarick
Sauntering Sauropods: The Preferred Walking Speeds of the Largest Land Animals That Ever Lived
Scott A. Lee, Justyna Slowiak
Related Content
Defining Electric Potential Difference by Moving a Multimeter’s Ground Probe
Phys. Teach. (January 2018)
Electric field lines: The implications of students' interpretation on their understanding of the concept of electric field and of the superposition principle
Am. J. Phys. (August 2019)
A novel algorithm for fast grasping of unknown objects using C-shape configuration
AIP Advances (February 2018)
Sports, Smartphones, and Simulation as an Engaging Method to Teach Projectile Motion Incorporating Air Resistance
Phys. Teach. (May 2019)
Design of bone density identification method using transmission quantitative ultrasound
AIP Conf. Proc. (November 2019)