Web Pholphum 1107

Physic Lab Report

Objectives
This report will explain about the relationship among current, potential difference, and
resistance in a series circuit. In order to collect the data, I will use the electric meters, and
calculate by observing the resistance in a light bulb from current and potential-difference data.

Materials
- Low-voltage power supply
- Two light sockets
- Two small light bulbs
- Ammeter or multimeter (0–500-mA scale)
- Voltmeter or multimeter (0–30-V scale) about ten copper wires with alligator clips

Procedure

1. Wire two lightbulb sockets in series with an ammeter and a low-voltage power supply.
Observe the correct polarity when wiring the ammeter.
2. Screw the lightbulbs into the sockets. Turn on the power supply. Adjust the power control so
that the bulbs are dimly lit.
3. Unscrew one of the bulbs. Record your observations in the data table.
4. Screw in the bulb again and find the potential difference across both sets of bulbs by placing
the positive probe of the voltmeter on the positive end of the circuit and the negative probe on
the negative end of the circuit. Record your data in the data table.
5. Find the potential difference across each individual lightbulb by placing the positive probe of
the voltmeter on the positive end of a bulb and the negative probe on the negative end of the
bulb. Record your data in the data table. Repeat for the other bulb in series.
6. Place the ammeter at various locations in the series circuit. Record these currents in the data
table.
7. Wire the two lightbulb sockets in parallel with the low-voltage power supply and in series with
an ammeter.
8. Screw the lightbulbs into the sockets. Turn on the power supply. Adjust the power control so
that the bulbs are dimly lit. Record the current shown on the ammeter in the data table.
9. Check the potential difference across the entire circuit and across each lightbulb. Record the
values in the data table.
10. Place the voltmeter probes across one of the lightbulbs. Now unscrew one of the lightbulbs.
Record your observations of both lightbulbs, and record the current and potential difference read
by the meters in the data table.
11. Return the lightbulb you removed in the previous step to its socket. Now unscrew the other
lightbulb. Record your observations of both lightbulbs, and record the current and potential
difference read by the meters in the data table

Observations (Step 3-11)

Before removing the light bulb the ammeters is 0.45 A, but after the current is 0.90 A.
4

Voltage is 9.00 V, Light bulbs are 10 Ohms, and ammeter is 0.45 A

The Voltage is cut-half.

Bulb resistance = 10 ohms
6

Changing in position does not affect the ammeter.

Ammeter = 1.8 A
8

Both value are the same

 10

11

Analyze

1. Calculate the resistance of the pair of lightbulbs in the series circuit.

Ans R = V/I = 9/0.45 = 20 ohms

2. Calculate the resistance of each lightbulb in the series circuit.
Ans 4.5/.45 = 10 ohms

3. How does the resistance of the pair of lightbulbs compare to the individual resistance of each
lightbulb?
Ans The resistance of each lightbulb is half of the resistance of the pair of lightbulbs.

4. How does the potential difference across the individual lightbulbs compare to the potential
difference across the pair of lightbulbs in the series circuit?
Ans The value of each light bulbs are the same

5. Calculate the resistance of each of the light bulbs while they are in the parallel circuit. How
does this compare to the resistance calculated for the bulbs in the series circuit?
Ans
Parallel = 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/10 + 1/10 = 1/5, R = 5 ohms
Series = R1 + R2 = 20 ohms

Conclude and Apply

1. Summarize the relationship among current, potential difference, and resistance in a

series circuit.

Ohm's law defines the relationship between the voltage, current, and resistance in an
electric circuit: i = v/r. The current is directly proportional to the voltage and inversely
proportional to the resistance.

2. Summarize the relationship between current and potential difference in a parallel

circuit.

When identical cells are in parallel with each other the total potential difference supplied
to the circuit is equal to the potential difference of just one of the cells. So if three 2V cells are
connected in parallel with each other the potential difference supplied to the circuit is 2V.