Lab 05: Electric Circuits Conceptual Model for Current

Physics Lab 1 Section 009

10/01/2020
Students’ Names:
1. Yashvi Srivastava
2. Mostafa Sabeh-Ayoun
3. Connor Watson
4. Ryan Staron

I. Creating a conceptual model for flow of current in series circuits

B)
A>B=C

The current through A will be greater than B and C, and current through B and C will be equal.

C) Yes. The amps on Bulb A is 0.90A while B and C are both 0.45A

Fig. 5.1
D) Student 2 because when we double the number of resistors (bulbs) on the circuit, the total current
decreases (by half). Using the ammeters, we can see that the current through each bulb is the same.

E) Current through battery in a single bulb is greater than current through the battery in a circuit with
two bulbs in series.

F) The brightness of all three bulbs will decrease

The current in the circuit will decreases because there is more total resistance than the two-bulb circuit

G) Student 1 because in a series circuit, the current must be the same through each bulb

H)

1. As more bulbs are added in series, the current flow through each bulb is equal but less, and the
brightness of each bulb decreases with more and more bulbs.

2. As more bulbs are added in series, the current flow through the battery decreases.

3. The resistance increases as bulbs are added.

II. Creating a conceptual model for the flow of current in parallel circuits

B)

1. A=B=C
2. A=B=C
3. The current of the main branch splits into two at the junction
4. The current through the series is half of the parallel circuit
5. Verified

C)

1. Prediction: The brightness will not get affected if a third bulb in parallel is connected (in
a way that wire is not connected to the battery). Yes, our prediction is right.

2. The current increased because the total resistance of the circuit decreased.

D)

1. Stays the same

2. Increases
 3. The resistance decreases

III. Applying the Conceptual Model for Current Flow – Part I

A)

1. The current through the bulb decreases, because the brightness of a bulb directly depends on
the current through it.
2. The current through the battery decreases because the current is the same throughout a series
circuit

3.The resistance increases in the circuit because the bulbs brightness will decrease, meaning more
resistance in the wires.

4.The element initially could have been a resistor with low resistance, and then it was replaced with a
resistor of higher resistance. This would cause the total resistance in the circuit to increase, therefore
decreasing the total current, making the bulb dimmer.

B)

1. A =x, Battery = x
2. Bulb: A =.5x, B=.5x, Battery=.5x
3. A=x, B=x, battery = 2x

IV. Applying the Conceptual Model for Current Flow – Part II

A)

A>B=C

No differences
 Fig. 5.2 (Right)

B) We agree with Student 2, because he makes a valid point. The bulb B and C are parallel, and their
resultant will be in series with A.

C)

Bulb A will be dimmer in the left circuit (fig 5.3) and increase in brightness in the right circuit (fig 5.2)

The current through the battery on the right circuit is less than that of the current through the battery in
the right circuit.

Fig. 5.3 (Left)

D) No, it doesn’t, it depends on the resistance of the branch.

Fig. 5.4

C>A=B

E)

The brightness of the bulbs will be equal when open, and Bulb A will be brighter while Bulb B doesn’t
light up when the switch is closed.
 Fig. 5.5

F) No current goes through the bottom bulb when the switch is closed

G) Yes, the top bulb’s brightness increases because there is no resistance flowing to the bottom bulb,
meaning all the current goes to the top bulb.