Series Parallel Lab - East Troy Middle School



Series Parallel Lab

Name__________________________

Objective: The purpose of this lab is to:

1) Familiarize yourself with a breadboard.

2) Experimentally verify the current and voltage readings of a series / parallel combination circuit.

Materials: Calculator, 9 V Battery, 2 Alligator Clip Wires, 5 jumper wires, Multimeter

Resistors: R1 = 330 Ω R2 = 1000 Ω R3 = 560 Ω

Procedure:

1. Measure the voltage of your battery. Vbat = __________________

2. Look at the schematics below. DO NOT BUILD THE CIRCUIT YET. Label the battery in the schematic with the voltage you found in step 1. Find out (theoretically using the properties of series, parallel and the fact that V = IR) what the Total Resistance, Total Current, A1 , A2 , A3 , V1, V2, and V3 would read. Use 330, 1000, and 560 for resistance. Assume 3 significant figures for each. Label the current readings into mA (milliamps)

Total Resistance____________

Total Current_______________

A1______________mA

A2______________mA

A3______________mA

V1_________________

V2_________________

V3_________________

3. Build the circuit on your breadboard. Clip the alligator clips to the pos. and neg. of the battery. Clip the other ends of the alligator clips to two jumper wires. Insert the other ends of the jumper wires into the pos. and neg. power buss of the breadboard. See the example at the first lab station if you are confused.

4. Measure the voltage drop across R1, R2, and R3. Record your readings at the right. Remember to try and get positive readings on the first try.

V1________________

V2________________

V3________________

5. Insert your meter into the circuit as shown to measure the current through R1, R2, and R3. Record your readings. Remember how to measure current. You must break the circuit and insert your meter into the break. In the red, out the black.

A1________________

A2________________

A3________________

6. What is your percent error of V1 and A3? [pic] A3 % ______________

V1 % ______________

9. Suppose you only had 4 resistors. Each of them was labeled 10 Ω.

A) How would you wire them to draw 675 mA from a 9 V battery? Draw a schematic for such a wiring below.

B) How would you wire them to draw 225 mA from a 9 V battery? Draw a schematic for such a wiring below.

10. What does A1 read?

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