Peer Review

Circuit Construction Kit (DC only)

Material Detail page

Bookmark

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This applet is a highly realistic simulator for DC circuits. Assembled circuits can contain multiple instances of batteries, light bulbs, resistors, and switches. It includes meters that can measure voltages and currents. Options to include resistance in the connecting wires and internal resistance in batteries are available. Component values can also be varied by the user. Bulb brightness varies with current, and unsafe configurations can result in a virtual fire.
Type of Material:: Simulation
Recommended Uses:: In-class demo or homework assignments, as well as virtual laboratory
exercises.
Technical Requirements:: This is a stand-alone java application, requires the Java Runtime Environment 1.4 or better to run. Some Apple computers may experience difficulties running this program.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: To understand the behavior of simple DC circuits. This applet can be used to verify calculations made using Ohms Law and Kirchoffs rules for direct current circuits. Also, it can help develop a qualitative understanding of how current travels in a circuit.
Target Student Population:: High school and lower division undergraduate.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A general knowledge of the concepts of voltage, current, resistance, and Ohms Law is helpful. Some concept of an electric circuits and how they are constructed are useful.

Rating:
Strengths:: This is an excellent simulation for DC circuits. Available circuit components are batteries, resistors, and light bulbs. A circuit can contain multiple instances of each type. Values for each component can be varied within a predetermined range. Both current and voltage can be measured using meters. Circuits can contain multiple ammeters as needed. Both ideal and more realistic cirucit behaviors can be simulated. The graphics in this simulation are first rate. In particular, the voltmeter is extremely well done.
Concerns:: Although a minor point, it should be noted that only one voltmeter is available. Also, each wire has some resistance so there will be (realistic) differences with theoretical calculations.

Rating:
Strengths:: The simulation is highly versatile. It permits the construction of a wide range of circuit examples. Batteries can be ideal (R_int = 0) or real, with the value of internal resistance under user control. Wire segments can also be ideal or have their own resistance. An option to display the equations that describe the circuit is also available. This simulation can be used in virtual laboratory experiments, or to check results from homework problems. It has the potential to not only measure the students knowledge of Ohms Law and Kirchoffs rules, but also their ability to create electric circuits.

The authors have assessed the impact of using this simulation on student learning, with positive results. The studies are available on the PHET web site.
Concerns:: The "Show Equations" option might cause some confusion with students. The number of equations that are provided for a circuit (junction rule, loop
rule, and Ohms Law) seems rather large. For example, there were a total of 18
equations written for the junction rule for a circuit with only two junctions. There were a total of 17 Ohm's Law equations for a circuit with just seven (7) circuit elements. The currents are labeled in the equations but not in the diagram so it takes some time to figure out which current in the equation corresponds which current in the circuit simulation.

Rating:
Strengths:: Overall, the controls are very intuitive in their operation. As noted above, the graphics are first-rate. Options to change the size of components are available; as is an option for lifelike or schematic representations of circuit components. The "Help" and "Megahelp" sections are very useful. Circuits can be saved and reloaded at a later time, which is very helpful for complex arrangements.
Concerns:: For some applications (e.g. illustrating the loop rule), it might be helpful to have multiple voltmeters available.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is one of a growing number of simulations created by the Physics Education Technology group. These learning tools are built based on research in physics education and their impact on students is studied during development. Research results regarding the impact of these simulations are available on the web site along with a database for instructors to submit lesson plans.
Creative Commons: