AMK10203: Physics Technology Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT 2.1
SERIES CIRCUIT
1.0 OBJECTIVES

1 .1 To demonstrate the effect of series circuit on brightness of light bulbs.

1.2 To measure the voltage, current and resistance in a series circuit.

1.3 To determine the potential difference and current for electrical appliances in series
circuit.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Typically, there are two circuit applies in wiring of electrical appliances. A series circuit
is a circuit in which resistors are arranged in a chain, so the current has only one path
to take. The current is the same through each resistor. The total resistance of the circuit
is found by simply adding up the resistance values of the individual.
resistors:
equivalent resistance of resistors in series: R = RI + R2 + R3 + …

3.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS

3.1 Circuit Wizard Software

Figure 2 shows several bulbs placed in series, as the voltage is divided equally
between each bulb.

4.0 PROCEDURE

4.1 Connect the ammeter and voltmeter to measure the voltage and current of the
series circuit. The ammeter should be connected in series while the voltmeter in
parallel.

4.2 Click on the RUN button to simulate the circuit. Once simulating you can click on
switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to operate the bulbs, as shown in Figure 3.’

Figure 3: Series Circuit

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AMK10203: Physics Technology Laboratory Module

5.0 RESULTS

No of lights Voltage value (V) Current Value (A) Brightness

6.0 DISCUSSION

(Include a discussion on the result noting trends in measured data and comparing
measurements with theoretical predictions when possible. Include the physical
interpretation of the result, the reasons on deviations of your findings from expected
results, your recommendations on further experimentation for verifying your results,
and your findings)

7.0 CONCLUSION

(Based on data and discussion, make your overall conclusion.)

8.0 QUESTIONS

8.1 Discuss the finding from the graph obtained (the effect of series circuit on
brightness of lights.

8.2 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a series circuit.

8.3 State the application of a series circuit and it's normally installed.

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AMK10203: Physics Technology Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT 2.2
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
1.0 OBJECTIVES

1.1 To demonstrate the effect of parallel circuit on brightness of light bulbs.

1.2 To measure the voltage, current and resistance in a series circuit.

1.3 To determine the potential difference and current for electrical appliances in
series circuit.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their heads
connected together, and their tails connected together. The current in a parallel circuit
breaks up, with some flowing along each parallel branch and re-combining when the
branches meet again. The voltage across each resistor in parallel is the same.

The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the reciprocals
of the resistance values, and then taking the reciprocal of the total: equivalent
resistance of resistors in parallel: 1 / R = 1 / RI + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 +...

3.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS

3.1 Circuit Wizard Software.

Figure 4 shows several bulbs placed in parallel, as the voltage is divided equally
between each bulb.

4.0 PROCEDURE

Connect the ammeter and voltmeter to measure the voltage and current of the parallel
circuit. The ammeter should be connected in series while the voltmeter in parallel.

Click on the RUN button to simulate the circuit. Once simulating you can click on
switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to operate the bulbs, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Parallel circuit

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AMK10203: Physics Technology Laboratory Module

5.0 RESULTS

No of lights Voltage value (V) Current Value (A) Brightness

6.0 DISCUSSION

(Include a discussion on the result noting trends in measured data and comparing
measurements with theoretical predictions when possible. Include the physical
interpretation of the result, the reasons on deviations of your findings from expected
results, your recommendations on further experimentation for verifying your results,
and your findings.)

7.0 CONCLUSION

(Based on data and discussion, make your overall conclusion.)

8.0 QUESTIONS

8.1 Discuss the finding from the graph obtained (the effect of parallel circuit on
brightness of lights.

8.2 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a parallel circuit

8.3 State the application of a parallel circuit and it's normally installed.