Physics 112 Lab 11 Building Electrical Circuits

Phy112172262 On Line Lab 11 Building Electrical Circuitslab 11 Bui

This lab involves constructing and analyzing various electrical circuits using a simulation tool. The tasks include building series and parallel circuits with specific components, measuring voltage and current at designated points, and drawing conclusions about circuit behavior based on these measurements. The purpose is to deepen understanding of voltage and current relationships in series and parallel circuits, and to compare these properties within different circuit configurations. Additionally, the lab incorporates reviewing a video to reinforce conceptual differences between series and parallel circuits. Students are instructed to perform measurements, record data, and answer questions related to the rules governing voltage and current in different circuit arrangements, culminating in a reflective analysis based on the video content.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The fundamental principles of electricity hinge on the behaviors of voltage and current within various circuit configurations. Understanding these behaviors in series versus parallel circuits is essential for designing and troubleshooting electrical systems. This analysis employs a simulation-based approach, allowing for precise measurements and observations without physical components. The goal is to establish universal rules for voltage and current in different circuit types and compare their characteristics, reinforced by visual learning through a relevant instructional video.

Part I: Series Circuit Analysis

The initial task involves constructing a series circuit with three light bulbs, two batteries, and a switch. After closing the circuit, voltage and current measurements are taken at specified points. In a series circuit, the total voltage supplied by the batteries is shared among the light bulbs, with each bulb experiencing a voltage drop proportional to its resistance. The sum of these individual voltage drops equals the total voltage supplied, confirming the rule that voltage divides across components in series.

Current measurements reveal that the same current flows through all components in a series circuit, as there are no alternate paths for current flow. This illustrates that current remains constant throughout the series pathway, upholding the rule that in series circuits, current is uniform at all points. These foundational observations align with established electrical principles, where voltage divides and current remains constant in series configurations.

Part II: Parallel Circuit Analysis

Next, a parallel circuit comprising three light bulbs, two batteries, and a switch is assembled. Upon closing the circuit, measurements show that the voltage across each branch remains equal to the total voltage supplied by the batteries. This demonstrates that in parallel circuits, sources are connected across multiple components, resulting in a uniform voltage across all branches.

Current measurements indicate that total current divides among the branches. Each branch draws a current dependent on its resistance, and the sum of branch currents equals the total current supplied by the source. These observations substantiate the principle that in parallel circuits, voltage remains constant across components, while current distributes according to individual branch resistances.

Part III: Series with Parallel Bulb

This section introduces a hybrid configuration where one bulb in a series circuit is replaced with two bulbs in parallel. After measuring voltage, it becomes evident that the voltage across the parallel section equals the voltage across the series section, consistent with the idea that the entire voltage from the source appears across each part of the circuit. The parallel section draws a combined current that split among its two branches, each experiencing the same voltage but different currents based on resistance.

From the measurements, it can be inferred that in the parallel section, the voltage remains equal, while the current divides among the parallel branches, reaffirming the rules identified earlier. These findings highlight how combining series and parallel elements affects voltage and current distribution within a circuit.

Part IV: Parallel with Series Bulb

Finally, a configuration with bulbs in series replaced with a parallel set is analyzed. Measurements reveal that the voltage across the series segment is less than the total supply voltage, and the voltage across the parallel section is relatively consistent. In this setup, the current through the series pathway is less than the total current supplied because some of it splits among the parallel branch.

These results reinforce the understanding that in series segments, voltage divides, and in parallel segments, voltage remains constant. The sum of currents in the parallel section varies according to resistance, demonstrating the fundamental differences between series and parallel circuit behaviors.

Part V: Video Reflection

The instructional video reviewed in this lab consolidates the understanding of the principles observed during the experiments. It emphasizes that in series circuits, voltage divides while current remains consistent, and in parallel circuits, voltage remains constant while current divides. The video clarifies these concepts with animated diagrams and real-world examples, thus reinforcing the measurements and rules derived from the simulation activities. Watching the video enriched the comprehension of how circuit configurations influence electrical properties and validated the experimental observations.

Conclusion

This lab exercise highlights the critical rules governing voltage and current in series and parallel circuits. Through simulation-based experimentation, it becomes evident that voltage and current behave predictably based on circuit type: voltage divides in series but remains constant in parallel, while current remains constant in series but divides in parallel. These foundational principles are vital for understanding electrical circuit design and troubleshooting. The visual aid provided by the video further enhances understanding, emphasizing the importance of circuit configuration in determining voltage and current distributions.

References

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