You are on page 1of 5

Experiment No.

306: Series and Parallel Circuits


Manuel, Ira Joshua S.
School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering
Mapua Institute of Technology, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila City, Philippines

irajoshmanuel@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE This experiment has two parts, determining voltage


and current in each resistance and the total current
Electrical circuits are everywhere around us. Devices
flowing in the circuit, for a series and parallel circuit
that we carry, the electrical grid that supplies
setup. Refer to fig. 2 and fig. 3 for the series and
electricity to our houses rely on the modern electrical
parallel setup.
engineering. The basic science of electrical
engineering is physics. In this experiment, we
indulge ourselves to the physics of electric circuits
that are composed of batteries and resistors. Our
discussion is just limited to direct current circuits
(DC circuits). Before starting this experiment we are
left with the question; how can we get charges to
flow?

METHODOLOGY
We are provided three resistance boxes, 1.2 V
batteries, 12 pieces of connecting wires, a VOM and
Fig. 2 Resistors in Series setup
an ammeter for this experiment (Fig.1).

Fig. 1 Materials; connecting wires, resistance boxes, ammeter, 1.2 V Fig. 3 Resistors in Parallel setup
batteries, and VOM
Same procedures were done for the two setups, DATA and SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS
assigning points A,B,C,D in each resistor and
Series Circuit
obtaining voltages VAB, VBC, VCD,VDA by connecting Experimental Computed
the VOM in each resistor individually (refer to fig. Voltage Across
4). Resistance 1 1.109 V 1.1067 V
(VAB)
Voltage Across
Resistance 2 1.062 V 1.0591 V
(VBC)
Voltage Across
Resistance 3 1.508 V 1.5113 V
(VCD)
Current Flowing
0.011 A 0.0119 A
Restistance 1 (IB)
Current Flowing
0.011 A 0.0119 A
Restistance 2 (IC)
Current Flowing
0.011 A 0.0119 A
Restistance 2 (ID)
Total Current
0.011 A 0.0119 A
(IA)
% Difference 7.86 %

Fig. 4 Measuring individual resistance in a parallel circuit


R1 = 93 R2 = 89 R3 = 127
The equivalent resistance is measured at points A, B, Sample computations:
C, and D using the VOM and computed as well using 3.679
I= = = 0.0119 A
the equation 1 for the series circuit and equation 2 for 309

the parallel circuit, VAB = (0.0119 A) (93 ) = 1.1067 V

VBC = (0.0119 A) (89 ) = 1.0591 V

R = R1 + R2 + R3 + Rn (eqn. 1) VCD = (0.0119 A) (127 ) = 1.5113 V


|0.03570.033|
1 1 1 1 % Difference = 0.0357+0.0357 100 = 7.86%
( )
R = [ + ] (eqn. 2) 2
1 2
Parallel Circuit
Experimental Computed
Voltage Across
The total current flowing in resistors in series are Resistance 1 3.17 V 3.17 V
constant, but in a parallel circuit, it will be acquired (VAB)
by summing up all the current in each resistor. Voltage Across
Resistance 2 3.17 V 3.17 V
Current in each resistor can be calculated using the (VAC)
Ohms Law, Voltage Across
Resistance 3 3.17 V 3.17 V
(VAD)
Current Flowing
V = IR (eqn. 3) 0.06 A 0.0341 A
Restistance 1 (IB)
Current Flowing
0.02 A 0.0356 A
Restistance 2 (IC)
Current Flowing
0.01 A 0.0250 A
Restistance 2 (ID)
Total Current
0.09 A 0.0947 A
(IA)
% Difference 5.08 %
R1 = 93 R2 = 89 R3 = 127 current constantly increases while the voltage is
Sample computations: sustained.
1 1 1 1
RT = [ + + ] =
93 89 127

3.17 ANALYSIS OF DATA


IB= = = 0.0341 A
93

3.17 When we turn on a light, we connect the wire


IC= = = 0.0356 A
89 filament in the light bulb across a potential difference

ID= =
3.17
= 0.0250 A that causes electric charge to flow through the wire,
127
much the way a pressure difference in a garden hose
IT = 0.0947 A causes water to flow through the hose. The flow of
% Difference =
|0.09470.09|
0.0947+0.09 100 = 5.09% electric charge constitutes an electric current.
( )
2 Usually we think of currents as being in conducting
wires, but the electron beam in a video monitor and
a beam of charged ions from a particle accelerator
GRAPH also constitute electric currents.
It is true, by investigating the data obtained, that in
Current and Voltage of Resistors
the circuit analysis can be simplified by replacing
in Series
two or more resistor that carries the same current
0.015 with the same potential drop as the original resistors.
If there are two or more resistors, R1, R2... Rn are
Current

0.01

0.005
connected as a in a series, they are said to be carrying
the same current. Voltage in a series circuit increases
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
as the current flowing is constant. Also, it is proven
Voltage that the circuits voltage and resistance are directly
proportional to each other. We had experimentally
proven using the experimentation methods done
Current and Voltage of Resistors using both the VOM and ammeter and some
in Parallel computation using the given formulas (eqn. 1-3).
Two or more resistors are in parallel if they are
0.15
connected together at both ends so that the potential
Current

0.1 drop is the same across each. The resistors in parallel


0.05 can be replaced by an equivalent resistance related to
0
R1, R2... Rn by the reciprocal of the sum of the
0 1 2 3 4 reciprocals of the individual resistors as seen in the
Voltage computations in table 2. In this kind of circuit setup,
voltage across all the three resistors are equal but the
This is the projection of the gathered data from the current flowing is decreasing as observed in the
experiment. Interpreting the graph for the series and obtained data.
parallel circuits, we can see the relationship of the Minimal errors were obtained due to the group
voltage and current which varies depending on what following the instructions and procedures
setup they are in. In a series ciruit, current flows thoroughly. A total of 7.86% and 5.08% errors were
constantly and voltage increases as the current passes acquired which signifies an appreciably successful
through each resistor while in a parallel setup, experiment. Sources of error may come from the
connecting wires provided in which we had difficulty be smaller as the current increases and vice versa
in observing the readings given at the ammeter, when because of their inverse proportionality.
measuring the resistance using the apparatus given
since we are observing it in actual and some lose
thread connecting wires used. We suggest when ACKNOWLEDGMENT
performing this experiment, make sure when using
the VOM, the knob is in the turn in the right selection This experiment consumed huge amount of effort,
(e.g. voltage selection when measuring voltage), work and dedication. Still, the performance of this
limit the use of resistors from 10 ohms to 100 ohms experiment would not be possible if we did not have
only and do not connect the battery yet setting up the any support from our instructor, lab assistants and
circuit. my group mates. Therefore we would like to give our
sincerest appreciation to all of them.
First of all we are thankful to Mr. Ricardo De Leon
CONCLUSION guiding us in how to execute the procedures properly
so we may have a successful experiment.
The most basic connection of circuits found
everywhere are the series and parallel circuit. I am also grateful to Ms. Mary Ostique, Ms. Hannah
Components in a series connection are in a single Buenaventura, Ms. Kriselle Roslinda and Ms. Micah
route so the current flowing is the same across the Papasin for giving their expertise, effort, knowledge
circuit, and the total voltage is given by the sum of and technical support in the performance of this
the voltages in each resistor while in a parallel one, experiment. Without their help and cooperation, the
the same voltage flows in the entire connection but experiment would not be this good, and thus their
the sum of the current in each component will be the support is substantial.
total current of the connection. This experiment aims
that the students be able to be well informed about We would like to express our sincere thanks towards
the concepts and ideas concerning the series and the lab assistants, researchers who devoted their time
parallel circuits, to know the basics of circuits by and knowledge to make this experiment possible.
deliberating how to manipulate the apparatus for Nevertheless, we are thankful toward our families
composing a simple circuit, being able to measure and colleagues for their encouragement and
voltages in each resistor and the current flowing in a cooperation which help us in completion of this
series or parallel circuit, understand the correlation activity.
of voltages on each resistor to that of the total
voltage, as well as the current flowing in each resistor
to the total current. REFERENCES
In conclusion, the relationship between these three [1] Walker, J., Halliday, D., Resnick, R., Principles
factorsResistance, Current, and Voltage are well of Physics, 10th edition, 2014
demonstrated in this experiment inclined with the [2] Tipler, A., Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
concepts and principles of the Ohms Law. Their 4th edition, 1999
significance with each other varies depending on [3] Hampton, C., (2011), Series and Parallel
what type of connection they are in, either series or Circuits, retrieved from:
parallel circuit. Whereas in a series circuit, indeed http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct
current is constant along the connection while the -current/chpt-5/what-are-series-and-parallel-
voltage and resistance depends on each other because circuits/
[4] Jacobs, M., (2008), Series and Parallel Circuits,
of their direct proportionality, and in a parallel
retrieved from:
circuit, voltage is sustained while the resistance will
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/series-and-
parallel-circuits
[5] Romanchik, D., (2012), Circuits, retrieved from:
http://physics.bu.edu/py106/notes/Circuits.html
[6] Lloyd, P., (2010), Electric current and voltage,
retrieved from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energ
y_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/rev
ision/4/
[7] Faggerness, T, (2015), Circuits, retrieved from:
http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-
a2/current-electricity/circuits/

You might also like