Download 04.AnalyzingSeriesCircuitsWNotes

Analyzing Series Circuits
Name: ____________________
Learning Target: Determine the voltage, current, and resistance in series circuits.
Draw a Series Circuit that includes a 10 V battery, R1 = 8 Ω, R2 = 8 Ω and R3= 4 Ω.
Definition of a series circuit:
Directions:
1. Setup a circuit similar to circuit schematic below.
2. For each scenario measure the voltage over each resistor using a voltmeter.
3. Measure the current at the end of the circuit, by inserting an ammeter.
4. Record the resistance in the table.
5. Calculate the power.
Circuit Scenario 1
R1
Batt.
+ V1
R1
R2
R2
V(V)
10
I(A)
R(Ω)
P(W)
Circuit Scenario 2
R1
Batt.
V(V)
10
I(A)
R(Ω)
P(W)
R1
R2
+ V1
R2
R3
R3
Circuit Scenario 3
Make a circuit with 4 resistors in series. Draw the schematic showing the 4 resistors in series
and determine the information for the chart below.
Batt.
V(V)
10
I(A)
R(Ω)
P(W)
R1
R2
R3
R4
Conclusion:
1. What is the relationship between the voltages across the individual resistors and the voltage
across the Power Supply ?
2. How do the currents in the resistors compare with each other?
3. What happens to the total current as more resistors are added across the same power supply?
4. How do you find the total resistance of a series circuit?
PROBLEMS:
Given that
R1 = 500Ω;
R2 = 600Ω;
R3 = 300Ω;
And Total Voltage of power supply = 100 Volts
1.
and R4 = 400Ω
a) What is the current in R1 if connected alone to the source?
b) What is the current in R2 if connected alone to the source?
c) What is the current in R3 if connected alone to the source?
d) What is the current in R4 if connected alone to the source?
e) As the resistance INCREASES the current ___________.
Current and Resistance are( inversely or directly) related.
2. Draw a schematic of a series circuit showing R1 and R3 in series with the power supply.
a. Find the total resistance,
b. Find total current
c. Find individual voltages for R1 and R3.
3. Draw a schematic of a series circuit showing R1, R2 and R3 in series with the power supply. Find
the total resistance, total current and individual voltages.
a. Find the total resistance,
b. Find total current
c. Find individual voltages for R1, R2 and R3.
SERIES CIRCUITS
8 
1.
+
120 V
22 
30 
2. A 20 Ohm, 9 Ohm, 12 Ohm and an 15 Ohm resistor are connected in series with a 15 Volt power
supply. Draw a schematic diagram for the circuit and complete the chart calculations.
3. A 100 Ohm, a 47 Ohm, a 50 Ohm and an 20 Ohm resistor are wired in series with a 20 Volt Power
supply during a lab. Draw your schematic diagram, including where you would place an ammeter to
measure the total current, and a volt meter to measure the voltage across the 47 Ohm resistor.
Complete the chart.
4. Draw a schematic diagram and fill in the
rest of the chart with the information given.