Download EXPERIMENT # 2 SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS PURPOSE

EXPERIMENT # 2
SERIES AND PARALLEL
CIRCUITS
PURPOSE: To observe the
difference between voltage and
current flow in the series and
parallel circuit.
SUMMARY OF MATERIAL:
The main difference between a
series and a parallel circuit is the way in
which the current flows through the
circuit. In a series circuit, the devices
through which the current flows are
connected in such a manner that the
current flows first through one and then
through the other. Any device through
which current flows has resistance. If
two devices are connected in series and
also connected to a source of voltage, the
voltage is divided. Part of the voltage
“appears” across one device while the
remainder of the voltage “appears”
across the other. Series circuits are not
limited to two devices: they may contain
many devices: Regardless of the number
of devices in the series circuit, the
current flow which flows through each
device is the same in quantity and quality
as the current which flows through all
other devices in the circuit.
Two devices may be connected in
such a way that the current may flow
through either of the two objects or
through both simultaneously. In this type
of circuit, the two objects are said to be
connected
NAME_________________PER____
in parallel. Two devices connected in
parallel will receive the same voltage.
However the total current flowing in the
parallel circuit will be equal to the sum
of the currents flowing through the parts
of the parallel circuit.
A typical example of the series
circuit is the older type of string holiday
lights. If one of the lights fails, the entire
string ceases to function. A typical use
of a parallel circuit is the way in which
the individual lamps in a house are
connected. Each is plugged in across the
line and thus becomes a part of the entire
parallel circuit formed by the house
wiring system.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. Electronic Snap Circuit kit
2. Electricity packet and pen
PROCEDURE:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the
figure below.
In this circuit the 2 lamps are connected
in series.
2. Plug the power supply into B6. Turn
the switch on. Do the lamps go on?
_______ Are they brighter or dimmer
than in experiment #1? ______________
3. Remove the connection on either side
of L1. What happens to the lights?
_________________________________
___________Why?_________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
4. Disconnect the power supply and the
circuit you have been using. Connect the
circuit as shown below.
This circuit has the lamps connected in
parallel.
5. Turn the switch on. Do both of the
lamps go on? _______ Are they brighter
or dimmer than the last connection?
_______________________________
6. Remove one light and record what
happens to the remaining light? _______
_________________________________
Why? ___________________________
_________________________________
7. Disconnect the circuit you have been
using, and store all parts in the proper
storage area.
SUMMARY:
1. What is the difference in current flow
in the series and parallel circuit? ______
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
2. How does the action of the series and
parallel circuit differ when the
connection to one light is disrupted?
Explain fully. ____________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________