Circuit Lab

Purpose:
To learn how to set up series and parallel circuits and how to read ammeters
and voltmeters. To find resistance using the formula R=V/I

Materials:
• Light bulbs
• Switch
• Connecting wires
• Ammeter
• Voltmeter

Procedure:

1. Set up six circuits provided in the diagrams on your observation chart.

2. Draw a schematic diagram for each of the circuits.
3. Measure the current and voltage in each circuit.
4. For the 7th diagram, create your own parallel circuit (with two lights in
parallel). Show the teacher your completed circuit. Once the teacher
has seen it repeat steps 2 and 3.
Observation:

Circuit Number Schematic Diagram Ammeter Reading Voltmeter Reading

Circuit 1 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 2 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 3 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 4 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 5 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 6 Series 0.5 A 6V

Circuit 7 Parallel 0.92 A 5.5 V

Analysis:

1. For which of the circuits did the light bulb light up for? Explain WHY
it might NOT have turned on (even if it did).

All of the light bulbs worked for each circuit because all of the circuits
were made correctly. It ma not have turned on if one of the parts in the
circuit did not work like a light bulb in series or if the battery stopped
working.

2. a) If you were to add a light bulb in series to circuit number 1, what

would happen to the brightness of the bulbs in the whole circuit?
Explain your answer.

If I were to add a bulb to circuit number 1 in series the brightness of

the two bulbs would dim. They would dim because V source=V load/# of bulbs.

2. b) Draw the above circuit.

 3. Describe how the voltmeter and ammeter were connected and explain
why they were connected in those manners.

The voltmeter was connected in parallel with the light bulb because it
measured the voltage of one source. The ammeter is in series because it
measures the amps of the whole circuit

4. Find the resistance for circuits 6 and 7. Use GRASS for full marks.

Conclusion:
I discovered how to set up series and parallel circuits and how to read
ammeters and voltmeters. I also discovered that when you re-arrange the
parts of a circuit the Ammeter and Voltmeter readings stay the same. Also,
I discovered that in a parallel circuit the Ammeter reading is higher and the
Voltmeter reading is lower.