Complex Circuits Lab
Purpose:
To
develop
equations
which
compare
the
currents
in
the
individual
resistors
of
a
combination
circuit
to
the
current
in
the
battery
AND
which
c ompare
the
voltage
drops
for
the
individual
resistors
to the
voltage
gain
in
the
battery
AND
which
compare
the
voltage
drop
across
an
individual
resistor
to
the
current
in
that
resistor
and
the
resistance
of
that
resistor.
Read through the lab and create a data table to hold any measurements or calculations you will complete. **If you have no data tables, you will lose 10 points from the lab**.
Make sure the meter is set up properly for the different measurements you will be taking.
Read through the lab and create a data table to hold any measurements or calculations you will complete. **If you have no data tables, you will lose 10 points from the lab**.
Make sure the meter is set up properly for the different measurements you will be taking.
Procedure: Part 1
- Measure the resistance of your four resistors (ones with the colored bands). Record in your data table under the heading MEASURED RESISTANCE.
- Using two batteries and battery holders and four resistors (ones with the colored bands), build the circuit in the diagram.
- Measure the current at each point indicated in the diagram (points A-F). Record in your data table.
- Measure the voltage across each resistor. Record in your data table.
- Using Ohm's Law and your measured current and voltage data, calculate the resistance of each resistor. Record in your data table under the heading CALCULATED RESISTANCE.
- Calculate your total voltage using the measured voltage drops on the resistors. Record in your data table.
- Disconnect the batteries from your circuit and measure the total voltage of the circuit.
Procedure: Part 2
- Build the same circuit as above, but use bulbs instead of resistors. Record what happens to each of the bulbs.
Analysis: Complete 2-4 as a text response under your assignment in Edmodo.
- Upload a photo of your data table(s).
- From Part 1: Compare the currents at each spot you measured in your circuit. (What can you say about currents throughout a complex circuit?) Describe what conclusions you can make about current in a complex circuit.
- From Part 1: Calculate your total resistance of the circuit using your data.
- From Part 1: Look at the voltage drops across each resistor and your total measure voltage. Describe what conclusions you can make about voltage in a complex circuit.
- From Part 2: Describe what you noticed about the bulbs when you built your second circuit.