Series and Parallel Circuits

Procedure

PheT Sims Play Electricity, Magnets, and Circuits Circuit Construction Kit (AC+DCy)

• To add elements to your circuits, simply drag an item into the work area.
• To remove an item or change it, right-click the item you wish to change.
• To uncouple two circuit elements, right-click on the circular junction and choose “split junction.”
• To measure voltage and current, click on the boxes to the left.
• Remember, voltage is read in parallel (outside of the circuit), while current is read in series (in the circuit)

Part I: First Circuit

Table 1(a): Using Figure 1, determine the values in this table.

1. Using Figure 1, determine the values of the resistance, voltage drop, current, and power rating of each resistor in the circuit, along with the net for each value in the circuit.
2. Design the circuit in the “DC Construction Kit” simulator. Add three resistors and right-click on each one to change their value to the resistance of the resistors in Figure 1. Add a battery, and do the same to change its voltage.
3. Before connecting everything with wires, add an ammeter between each circuit element. Then, connect everything with wires. The current should flow.

Table 1(b): Verify the answers in Table 1(a) using the DC Construction Kit Software.

Write the value of the current across each resistor in Table 1(b). How do they compare with the values you calculated for Table 1(a)?

The values of current in Table 1(a) are exactly the same as the values of current in Table 1(b).

Next, take a voltmeter and read the voltage across each resistor (place the leads on either end of the resistor). Record the voltage drop across each resistor in Table 1(b). How do your values compare to those calculated for Table 1(a)?

The values of voltage in Table 1(a) are exactly the same as the values of voltage in Table 1(b).

Finish filling in Table 1(b). Copy and paste a screenshot of your designed circuit here (or print out a picture and include it).

Repeat this process for the following three circuits.

Part II: Second Circuit

Table 2(a): Use this table in conjunction with Figure 2.

Table 2(b): Use this table to determine your values from your simulated circuit from Figure 2.

How do your values compare between Table 2(a) and Table 2(b)? Do not forget to include a screenshot of your designed circuit.

The values of both the current and the voltage are the same in Tables 2(a) and 2(b).

Part III: Third Circuit

Table 3(a): Use this table in conjunction with Figure 3

Table 3(b): Use this to verify your values in Table 3(a) with your simulated circuit.

How do your values compare between Table 3(a) and Table 3(b)? Do not forget to include a screenshot of your designed circuit.

The values of both the current and the voltage are the same in Tables 3(a) and 3(b).

Part IV: Fourth Circuit

Table 4 (a): Use this table in conjunction with Figure 4

Table 4(b): Use this to verify your values in Table 4(a) with your simulated circuit.

How do your values compare between Table 4(a) and Table 4(b)? Do not forget to include a screenshot of your designed circuit.

The values of both the current and the voltage are the same in Tables 4(a) and 4(b).