Chapter 6, Section 6
Series and Parallel Circuits
Prelab Questions:
Use the spaces on the attached guidesheet to write out your work. You MUST use a
PENCIL. You will need an eraser. Use the entire space provided… you must draw
these diagrams very large in order to accommodate all of the information clearly.
1. A series circuit with 1 battery and 3 bulbs.
a. Draw a schematic diagram.
b. How is the multimeter set up in this series circuit to …
i. measure current through the battery? Insert the Ammeter symbol (a square with an
Ab in it) at the position where you think it should be in your schematic.
ii. measure current through each of the bulbs? Insert the Ammeter symbol (a square
with an A1, A2, A3 in it) at each position where you think it should be.
iii. measure voltage across the battery? Add the Voltmeter symbol (a square with a V b
in it) at the position where you think it should be to the schematic.
iv. measure voltage across each of the bulbs? Add the Voltmeter symbol (a square with
a V1, V2, or V3 in it) at the position where you think it should be to the schematic.
2. A parallel circuit with 1 battery and 3 bulbs
a. Draw a schematic diagram of. Make this take up the top half of the page in the space provided.
You will need an eraser!
b. How is the multimeter set up in this parallel circuit to …
i. measure current through the battery? Insert the Ammeter symbol (a square with an
Ab in it) at the position where you think it should be.
ii. measure current through each of the bulbs? Insert the Ammeter symbol (a square
with an A1, A2, A3 in it) at each position where you think it should be.
iii. measure voltage across the battery? Add the Voltmeter symbol (a square with a V b
in it) at the position where you think it should be to the schematic.
iv. to measure voltage across each of the bulbs? Add the Voltmeter symbol (a square
with a V1, V2, or V3 in it) at the position where you think it should be to the
schematic.
CHECKPOINT: Show your instructor your prelab diagrams before you are allowed to continue.
Objectives: By the end of this activity, you should be able to answer these 2 questions.
 What are the loop and junction rules?
 Where should switches be placed in order to control a particular lamp or set of lamps?
Materials: 1 battery in a holder, 10 wires, 1 switch, 3 bulbs in sockets, 1 multimeter.
NOTE: Light bulbs may not light. If there is voltage across the bulb, all is fine. OR, add more batteries to
your circuit.
Investigate
1. Set up the series circuit.
a. Use a multimeter to measure all voltages. Label these clearly on your diagram next to the
voltmeter symbols.
b. Change the settings on the multimeter and use it to measure all currents. Label these clearly on
your diagram next to the ammeter symbols.
c. Try to put in a switch that will:
i. Turn off all 3 series bulbs at once. Let’s call this a “Trunk-line Switch”.
ii. Turn off each series bulb one at a time. Let’s call this a “Branch Switch”.
d. Draw the effective switches into your diagram, labeling them clearly.
2. Set up the parallel circuit.
a. Use a multimeter to measure all voltages. Label these clearly on your diagram next to the
voltmeter symbols.
b. Change the setting on the multimeter and use it to measure all currents. Label these clearly on
your diagram next to the ammeter symbols.
c. Try to put in a switch that will:
i. Turn off all 3 parallel bulbs at once. Let’s call this a “Trunk-line Switch”.
ii. Turn off each parallel bulb one at a time. Let’s call this a “Branch Switch”.
d. Draw the effective switches into your diagram, labeling them clearly.
3. Do the checkpoint linked to the calendar before completing the analysis.
4. Answer the Questions #1-2 and #3-4 at the bottom of each part.
Name: _________________________
Investigate: Chapter 6, Section 6
(20 points)
Period ___
CP Physics
Date: _________
E. Burns
SERIES CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
Questions:
1. Write the junction rule for the series circuit, in general and then with your measured values.
2. Write the loop rule for the series circuit, in general and then with your measured values.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
Questions:
3. Write the junction rule for the parallel circuit, in general and then with your measured values.
4. Write the loop rule for the parallel circuit, in general and then with your measured values.