1. Discuss the simplified EE model. The diode with 0.7 forward voltage is the best example, its highly unrealistic, but its also highly useful. ("Reality" is closer to an exponential function, at least at that region of voltage vs current)
2. Discuss that most EE models are unrealistic, but useful. (Vce saturation, MOSFET voltage-controlled transconductor, etc. etc.). EE is filled with _completely_ wrong, but highly useful models. My favorite has to be the "virtual short circuit" model of OpAmps / negative feedback. (OpAmp analysis technique where you simply set the + and - leads of the OpAmp to the same voltage)
3. Have a brief (but not overwhelming), discussion of Maxwell's Equations, which is a more accurate model, but useless in most of EE. Discuss radios and transmission lines (two situations where we have to start leaning into Maxwell's Equations for understanding), but also discuss their simplified models. (Ex: Impedance matched antenna is "just a resistor").
4. Return to the mantra of EE. The entire point of EE is to simplify circuits and simplify models. Its fine to be wrong, as long as the circuit works at the end of the day. It is highly useful to think in the wrong manner on a wide variety of subjects. (Diodes, BJT transistor voltage drops, Simplified OpAmps / negative feedback models). And only use complicated analysis on the cases that you recognize as "worthy" of deeper analysis. (Antennas, Transmission Line Theory, etc. etc.)
1. Discuss the simplified EE model. The diode with 0.7 forward voltage is the best example, its highly unrealistic, but its also highly useful. ("Reality" is closer to an exponential function, at least at that region of voltage vs current)
2. Discuss that most EE models are unrealistic, but useful. (Vce saturation, MOSFET voltage-controlled transconductor, etc. etc.). EE is filled with _completely_ wrong, but highly useful models. My favorite has to be the "virtual short circuit" model of OpAmps / negative feedback. (OpAmp analysis technique where you simply set the + and - leads of the OpAmp to the same voltage)
3. Have a brief (but not overwhelming), discussion of Maxwell's Equations, which is a more accurate model, but useless in most of EE. Discuss radios and transmission lines (two situations where we have to start leaning into Maxwell's Equations for understanding), but also discuss their simplified models. (Ex: Impedance matched antenna is "just a resistor").
4. Return to the mantra of EE. The entire point of EE is to simplify circuits and simplify models. Its fine to be wrong, as long as the circuit works at the end of the day. It is highly useful to think in the wrong manner on a wide variety of subjects. (Diodes, BJT transistor voltage drops, Simplified OpAmps / negative feedback models). And only use complicated analysis on the cases that you recognize as "worthy" of deeper analysis. (Antennas, Transmission Line Theory, etc. etc.)
5. And now, teach the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumped-element_model