Starting with Ohm’s equation from first-year physics, students figure out the meaning of “resistivity” and develop systematic methods for solving circuit problems involving resistors and capacitors. Students gain experience in setting up and solving simultaneous equations, and linear first-order differential equations. The timing of lab exercises can be adjusted to fit lab schedule.
Topics include Resistivity, Resistivity, Current Density, and Power Density, Some Circuit Problems, Kirchoff Method, The Simplest R-C Circuit, More R-C Problems.