SERIES CIRCUITS

The above circuit uses simple resistors for clarity but most real life circuits would have something more useful for loads such as light bulbs or an
electric motor.

 A series circuit has only one path through which electrons can flow from + to -
 All circuits must have some form of resistance either through the use of a resistor or a load.
 Without resistance  a “short circuit” would occur, causing maximum current to flow and possibly damaging the
circuit.

Series Resistance (R)

Go online to https://www.tinkercad.com/ and sign in. Select Circuits from the options shown on the left side menu. Then
select Create new Circuit

1. Define electrical resistance.

opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.

2. Create the circuit shown above. When you add the yellow multimeter change the multimeter’s mode to
“Resistance”. The “R” in the multimeter should be highlighted as shown in #1 in above diagram. Drag 2 resistors
into the main window and change their resistance value to 100 and units to Ω (not KΩ) as shown in #2 above.
Once the circuit is built select Start Simulation (#3 above) and record the value shown in the multimeter
window. Multimeter value= 300 Ω .

3. Add another 100Ω resistor in series with the two resistors (note: turn off “Start Simulation” whenever you want
to modify your circuit). What is the total resistance of the circuit? Total Resistance = 600 Ω .

4. Add a fourth resistor with a value of 400Ω. What is the total resistance of the circuit? Total Resistance = 800 Ω .

5. Complete the following sentence: As more resistors are placed in a series circuit the overall resistance decreases
(increases or decreases). The total resistance of a series circuit is equal to the sum of all the individual
resistances.
Series Voltage (V)

Build the circuit shown below. Each resistor is 1KΩ (1000 ohms). Set each multimeter to voltage.

6. Define electrical voltage.

voltage is the pressure from an electrical circuit's power source

7. Start the simulation and record the value in the left and right multimeter. Left: 800 mV Right: 800 mV

8. What does the M stand for in the 2 readings you just recorded?

9. Add a third 3K Ω resistor in series and another multimeter. Restart simulation and record the 3 multimeter’s
voltage readings. Left 1K resistor = 200mV, Middle 1k resistor = 200mV, Right 3 k resistor = 400mV.

10. What is the sum of all three resistor’s voltage? How does the total relate to the batteries voltage? The sum of all
three resistor’s voltage is equil to the multimeter

11. Take a screen shot of your Tinkercad circuit and paste it here:

Series Current (I)

12. Add 2 multimeters (mode set to Amperage) to your circuit anywhere in series with the 3 resistors . Note the
amperage reading for each meter: Meter#1: 600uA and Meter#2: 600uA . Highlight any of your resistors and
change its value to 500Ω. Restart the simulation and note the values of each Ammeter. Meter#1: 1000uA and
Meter#2: 1000uA .

13. Did changing the resistance of any resistor cause the 2 ammeters to have different readings from each other?

14. Take a screen shot of your Tinkercad circuit and paste it here: