Exploring Series Circuits with SnapCircuits Kits
Objective:
To understand the behavior of series circuits by constructing them using SnapCircuits kits and
analyzing key concepts like total resistance and total voltage.
Materials Needed:
●
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SnapCircuits Kit (or similar circuit-building kit)
1 Multimeter (for measuring resistance and voltage)
Step 1
Build project 1 in the workbook.
Using the multimeter set to 20v, record the voltage off of the batteries in the way shown on the
board.
Then record the voltage across the light bulb when the switch is closed. What do you notice?
Voltage
Batteries:
Light bulb:
Observations: _____________________________________________________________
Step 2
Replace the light bulb with the 100Ω resistor. Measure and record the voltage across the
batteries and the resistor in the same way as you did above.
Voltage
Batteries:
Resistor:
Observations: _____________________________________________________________
Using Ohm's law (I = V/R), calculate the current going through the resistor at this time
Current (I) =
Step 3
With reference to the diagram on the board, place the 100Ω and 1000Ω resistors in series with
each other. Measure and record the voltage across the battery, and both resistors.
Voltage
100Ω Resistor
Battery
1000Ω Resistor
What do you notice about the voltage drop between the two resistors compared to the voltage
across the battery?
___________________________________________________
Using Ohm’s law again, Calculate the current going through each resistor
Current
100Ω Resistor:
1000Ω Resistor:
What conclusion can you come to from calculating the current?
___________________________________________________________
Does this idea make sense with the idea that current is a physical thing?
___________________________________________________________
Using Ohm’s law again, calculate the total resistance by using the current above with the
voltage of the battery.
Total Resistance
Step 4
Connect the lamp and the 100Ω resistor in series with each other. Measure the voltage across
the resistor and the lamp.
Voltage
Battery
100Ω Resistor
Bulb
Calculate the Current going through the resistor. _____________
Using the current in the resistor, and the voltage measured across the bulb, calculate the
resistance of the bulb
Resistance:
________________