11.3 Measuring the Properties
of Simple Circuits
(Pages 455-461)
Homework: Page 461 # 1, 4, 5, 6, 8
Key Concepts: (Page 461)
• Circuit diagrams use standard
symbols to represent the
components of an electric
circuit and their connections in
the circuit.
• At a series connection, there is
only one path along which
electrons can flow.
• At a parallel connection, there
is more than one path along
which electrons can flow.
• An ammeter measures the
current and is connected in
series.
• A voltmeter measures potential difference and is
connected in parallel between the terminals of a
load.
• Each pole connection on a meter must race back
to the same type of terminal at the electrical
source.
• The potential difference across a battery of cells
in series is the sum of the potential difference
across each cell.
Circuit Diagrams:
1. What is a circuit diagram?
It is diagram that uses standard symbols to
represent the components in an electric circuit
and their connections.
One Pathway or Multiple
Pathways:
2. Compare a series
circuit from a
parallel circuit.
• In a series circuit,
there is only one
path along which
electrons can flow
• In a parallel circuit,
there is more than
one path along
which electrons can
flow
4. Why must an ammeter be connected in
series with a load, rather than in parallel, to
correctly measure the current through the load?
• An ammeter measures current at a
particular location in a circuit
• Therefore, it measures the flow of electric
charge (current) at the point where a
meter is connected in the circuit and is
connected in series
5. What does a voltmeter
measure?
• A voltmeter measures the potential
difference in V (volts) between 2 points on
a circuit.
6. How is a voltmeter connected
in a circuit?
• It is connected in parallel to measure the
potential difference across a load.
7. What is the function of a
multimeter?
• It can be used as an ammeter or a
voltmeter
• When set to read current = connected in
series
• When set to read potential difference =
connected in parallel