Exploring Electromagnetic Energy Exchange in LC Circuits

Exploring Electromagnetic Energy Exchange in LC Circuits

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain energy exchange between the electric field of a capacitor and the magnetic field of an inductor in an LC circuit, compare the behavior of an LC circuit to a mass oscillating on a spring, and understand energy in the magnetic field.

Introduce the learning objective and emphasize the importance of understanding energy exchange in LC circuits.

What do you already know about LC circuits and energy exchange?

LC Circuit Basics

An LC circuit is made up of an inductor and a capacitor. When charged, the capacitor stores electrical energy and the inductor stores magnetic energy.

Introduce the basics of an LC circuit and the energy stored in the capacitor and inductor.

Energy Exchange

When the capacitor is fully charged and the switch is closed, the capacitor begins to discharge and the inductor begins to charge. As the current flows back and forth between the capacitor and inductor, energy is exchanged between the electric and magnetic fields.

Explain how energy is exchanged between the electric and magnetic fields as the current flows back and forth.

Behavior of an LC Circuit

The behavior of an LC circuit can be compared to a mass oscillating on a spring. Just like the mass oscillates back and forth, the energy in an LC circuit oscillates between the capacitor and inductor.

Compare the behavior of an LC circuit to a mass oscillating on a spring to help students better understand the concept.

Resonance

When the frequency of the current in an LC circuit matches the natural frequency of the circuit, resonance occurs and the energy transfer between the electric and magnetic fields is maximized.

Explain the concept of resonance and how it affects the energy transfer in an LC circuit.

Energy in the Magnetic Field

The energy stored in the magnetic field of an inductor is given by the equation E=0.5LI^2, where E is the energy stored, L is the inductance of the inductor, and I is the current flowing through the inductor.

Explain how to calculate the energy stored in the magnetic field of an inductor.

LC Circuit Applications

LC circuits are used in many applications, such as in radios and electronic filters.

Give examples of real-world applications of LC circuits.

Review

LC circuits are made up of an inductor and a capacitor, and energy is exchanged between the electric and magnetic fields. The behavior of an LC circuit can be compared to a mass oscillating on a spring, and resonance occurs when the frequency of the current matches the natural frequency of the circuit. The energy stored in the magnetic field of an inductor is given by E=0.5LI^2, and LC circuits are used in many applications.

Summarize the key points of the lesson and provide an opportunity for students to ask questions.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.