Series and Parallel Circuits

Mitch Gramazio

Purpose: To study current flow, voltage, and resistance in series and parallel circuits.

Materials:
• (1) Circuit Board w/ accompanying wires
• Varying Resistors
• (2) 10 Ω Resistors
• (2) 51 Ω Resistors
• (2) 68 Ω Resistors
• (3) Lightbulbs
• (1) Power Supply of 3V
• (1) Voltmeter
• (1) Ammeter
• (1) CBL w/ TI-84 Calculator

Data:

Tolerance and Resistance

Resistors Tolerance Minimum Resistance Maximum Resistance

10 Ω 5.00% 9.975 Ω 10.5 Ω
51 Ω 5.00% 48.45 Ω 53.55 Ω
68 Ω 5.00% 64.6 Ω 71.4 Ω

Series Resistance, Voltage, and Current

Resistor 1 Resistor 2 Current Voltage Voltage Total Total

1 2 Resistance Voltage
1 10 Ω 10 Ω 0.151 A 1.41 V 1.41 V 18.68 Ω 2.98 V
2 10 Ω 51 Ω 0.050 A 0.46 V 2.42 V 57.60 Ω 2.88 V
3 51 Ω 51 Ω 0.031 A 1.45 V 1.45 V 93.55 Ω 2.91 V
Parallel Resistance, Voltage, and Current

Resistor 1 Resistor 2 Current Voltage Voltage Total Total

1 2 Resistance Voltage
1 51 Ω 51 Ω 0.059 A 2.82 V 2.81 V 23.90 Ω 2.83
2 51 Ω 68 Ω 0.044 A 2.83 V 2.82 V 32.10 Ω 2.83
3 68 Ω 68 Ω 0.045 A 2.84 V 2.83 V 31.50 Ω 2.85

Current Flow in Series and Parallel Circuits

Resistance 1 Resistance 2 Current 1 Current 2

Series 10 Ω 51 Ω 0.050 A 0.050 A
Parallel 51 Ω 68 Ω 0.060 A 0.045 A

Series/Parallel Resistance, Voltage, and Current with Lightbulbs

Series
VoltageTotal = 2.87 V
CurrentTotal = 0.074 A
ResistanceTotal = 36.49 Ω
Resistance Voltage Current
First Bulb 12.973 Ω 0.96 V 0.074 A
Second Bulb 12.027 Ω 0.89 V 0.074 A
Third Bulb 11.486 Ω 0.85 V 0.074 A

Parallel
VoltageTotal = 2.80 V
CurrentTotal = 0.612 A
ResistanceTotal = 4.58 Ω
Resistance Voltage Current
First Bulb 12.91 Ω 2.44 V 0.189 A
Second Bulb 12.12 Ω 2.46 V 0.203 A
Third Bulb 11.18 Ω 2.46 V 0.220 A
Results:
Throughout this lab, we experimented with a circuit board which consisted of resistors and
light bulbs. From the first part of the lab, we learned that, using pre-existing resistors (which had
a certain tolerance level each), when connected in a series, the voltage before and after each
resistor adds up to the total voltage. In a series, the current before and after each resistor is the
same. Also in a series, the resistances add up.
However, in a parallel circuit, the voltage before and after each resistor is the same. The
currents before and after each resistor add up to the total current. The inverse of the resistance is
equal to the inverse of the resistances of each resistor.
The same principle applies to light bulbs. However, for the the experiment with light bulbs,
we did not know the resistance of each individual light bulb. Using mathematical equations and
measuring carefully, we were able to find the individual resistance of each lightbulb, while
proving that the same principles apply.
During the lab, though, we experienced problems. The resistances in part 2 and 3 were
supposed to be the same, but they were not. This might have been a cause of human error or
tolerance.

Analysis:

1.

2. 20 Ω, 60 Ω, 100 Ω
3.

4. 19.7 Ω, 57.6 Ω, 93.87 Ω (plus/minus 5% each given resistance)

5. 25 Ω, 28.8 Ω, 34 Ω
6.

7.

8.

9.

10. The one with the least resistance. V = I * R

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this lab has helped me to better understand how electric current, voltage, and
resistance is affected by the circuit it is connected in. It has also helped me learn how to
physically visualize and set up a parallel circuit which used to be hard for me to see. This lab has
deepened my understanding on electricity.