Practices to imagine the shape dependence of electrical resistance

Authors

  • Michiya Shintsuruta Department of Human Education, Ishinomaki Senshu University, Ishinomaki Miyagi 986-8580, Japan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5894-7171
  • Hirokazu Okubo Graduate School of Education, Aichi University of Education, Kariya Aichi 448-8542, Japan
  • Tsutomu Iwayama Department of Physics, Aichi University of Education, Kariya Aichi 448-8542, Japan

Keywords:

Paper resistor, Shape dependence of electrical resistance, Creative thinking

Abstract

CARBON-NANOTUBE PAPER RESISTORS

We used Carbon-nanotube paper (CNP) electrical resistors (shown in Figure 1, see Abstract PDF) as a teaching material in secondary school science (physics) lessons. The CNP is conductive paper with excellent electrical conductivity. Using CNP resistors, it is possible to elucidate the dependence of the resistance values on the length and width (Shintsuruta et al., 2021). Introducing the shape dependence of electrical resistance is effective for students to solve an advanced problem of combined resistance with parallel connections. As students can adjust the paper shape as they like, it becomes possible for students to visually and actively learn about electrical resistance by using them.

THE PRACTICES OF NEW SCIENCE (PHYSICS) LESSONS

We designed new lesson plans to engage students through hands-on experiments and activities using CNP resistors. Students elucidate the two-dimensional shape dependence of electrical resistance by experiments using resistors adjusted by themselves with creative thinking, see Abstract PDF for figure and more details.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

As the results of this practical, the students learned the concept of electrical resistance and increased their understanding of combining resistances in parallel circuits. Moreover, we increased the sample size, number of students by running the practical in another school. In this case, the effect sizes were smaller than the previous results, but we confirmed the effect of a similar tendency. We confirmed that the students' creative thinking deepens and they extend their learning. “Deep learning” is one of the policies of the new course of study by the ministry in Japan. It is an innovation in physics education for these students to understand electrical resistance as well as dependence on its two-dimensional shape.

REFERENCE

Shintsuruta, M., Okubo, H., & Iwayama, T. (2021). Electrical resistor and capacitor using carbon-based papers for creative thinking to deepen and extend learning. Physics Education, 56(3), 035006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/abdd8f

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Published

2022-11-25