Current and voltage in a series circuit
N
Naam
mee::
Part A Current in a series circuit
To determine the current throughout a circuit with resistors in series
using OhmZone.
1. Using the HAND choose ‘current in a series circuit’ exhibit. Do
the activity.
2. Verify the theory by creating 4 different circuits in series. (Try
using only lamps in one circuit or using up all the resistors and lamps
in one circuit!!!).
For each circuit:
A. Draw a diagram for the circuit
B. Using visualize indicate with arrows the direction of the
current in your diagram.
C. Measure the current by placing the ammeter next to the
battery and next to each resistor. Record your data.
1. What did you notice about how the ammeter was placed in the
circuit?
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2. In your own words; what did you discover about the current in a
series circuit?
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Part B Voltage in a series circuit
To determine the voltage throughout a circuit with resistors in series
using OhmZone.
1. Using the HAND choose ‘voltage in a series circuit’ exhibit. Do
the activity.
2. Verify the theory by creating 4 different circuits in series. (Try
using only lamps in one circuit or using up all the resistors and
lamps in one circuit!!!).
For each circuit:
A. Draw a diagram for the circuit
B. Using ‘visualize’ indicate with arrows the direction of the
current in your diagram.
Current and voltage in a series circuit
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By Heidi Yetman
C. Measure the voltage by placing the voltmeter across the
battery and across each resistor. Record your data.
1. What did you notice about how the voltmeter was placed in the
circuit?
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2. In your own words; what did you discover about the voltage across
the resistors in a series circuit?
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3. What did you notice about the voltage across identical resistors?
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Current and voltage in a series circuit
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By Heidi Yetman
Current and voltage in
Follow-up to the
a series circuit :
Virtual Lab
Verify the theory on current and voltage in a series circuit discovered
in the virtual lab with actual results from the laboratory.
Power supply, ammeter, voltmeter, 3 different resistors, connecting
wires.
1. Set up a circuit with three resistors in series.
2. Connect the ammeter to measure the current coming out of the
power supply.
3. Turn on the power supply to obtain around 0.5 A of current. DO
NOT CHANGE the settings on the power box.
4. Using the ammeter measure the current coming out of the power
supply, next to each resistor and returning to the power source. Be
sure to connect the ammeter in series with the resistors. Only one
extra wire is needed to connect an ammeter. Record your results.
5. Using the voltmeter measure the potential difference across the
power source and across each resistor. You will need two wires to
connect the voltmeter. Record your results.
Data Table:
Resistors
Current
(A)
Potential difference
(V)
A
B
C
Power source
Current and voltage in a series circuit
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By Heidi Yetman
1. Do actual results found in the laboratory correspond with the
theory discovered in your virtual lab? Explain your answer by giving
some examples of your results.
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2. What are some of the difficulties you encountered in the
laboratory?
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3. Are your results accurate? If not what could be the sources of
error?
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Current and voltage in a series circuit
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By Heidi Yetman