Name: __________________
Date: _______
Adding Batteries in Series and Parallel Lab
Problem: How does adding batteries in series and parallel affect the voltage?
Part 1 – Connecting Batteries in SERIES
Connecting batteries in series means putting them together “end to end”.
Connect the negative end of the battery to the negative end of the voltmeter (and positive to positive)
Circuit
Voltage
Light bulb
Brightness
Schematic Diagram
(draw on back if not enough room)
1 battery
1 light bulb
1 switch
Voltmeter/ammeter
Add a second battery in
series
Add a third battery in
series
What happens to the voltage when batteries are connected in series?
What happened to the brightness of the light bulb when batteries are added in series?
Part 2 – Connecting Batteries in PARALLEL
Connecting batteries in parallel means putting them together “side by side”. How to connect in parallel: Connect the
positive terminal of one battery with the positive terminal of the next battery.
What happens to the voltage when batteries are added in parallel?
Circuit
Voltage
Light Bulb
Brightness
Schematic Diagram
(draw on back of sheet if not enough room)
1 battery
1 switch
1 light bulb
1 voltmeter (around
battery)
Add a second battery in
parallel
Add a third battery in
parallel
What happened to the brightness of the light bulb as you added batteries in parallel?