General Physics 2 Name: ___________________________________

PH221 - 21 Course: ______________________________________

Lab: Series and Parallel Connection

(Ohm’s Law)

Learning Goals

During this lab activity, you will learn to

a) Predict the relationship of the individual current and voltage to each resistor.
b) Compare and contrast series and parallel connection
c) Identify the different electronic devices.
d) Determine the correct connection of voltmeter and ammeter in a circuit.

Procedure

1. Go To: http://phet.colorado.edu/
Look for the interactive simulation entitled “Circuit Construction Kit (DC only)
Note: Click “Run Now!” and download the file using the ‘open with’ option then run the ‘.jar’ file
using Java.

I. SERIES CONNECTION

2. On the upper right window click the load button .

Under “Files of type” choose “All types” .
Load the file “series” and you can see the same illustration below.

2 1
3
Note: Here the 3 light bulbs are
already labeled as 1,2 and 3.

3. Closed the switch and observe what will happen.

Answer: The light bulbs are switched off.

4. Complete the table below. Click show values

 The value of the resistance is shown at each light bulb

9/9/2010 OLARVE
General Physics 2 Name: ___________________________________
PH221 - 21 Course: ______________________________________

 Use the non contact ammeter and move it along the wire beside the
light bulb to determine the current.

 Use the voltmeter to determine the voltage in each light bulb. Move the
probe along the wires such that each probe is connected at each side of the wire.

Light Bulb Resistance(Ohms) Current(Amperes) Voltage(Volts)

1 10 0.9 9
2 10 0.9 9
3 10 0.9 9

o Calculate the total resistance of the circuit by this formula ( RT = R1 + R2 + R3)

Answer: RT = 10+10+10 = 30 Ohms
o The value of the voltage source is the sum of the voltage of each battery (VS)
Answer: Vs = 9+9+9 = 27 Volts

o The value of the current is shown at the ammeter in the circuit . Compare it to
the value of the current in each light bulb.
Answer: The same, 0.90 Amperes.

Questions

A. In a circuit consisting of three light bulbs connected in series, if the current through one lamp
is 1 A, what is the current through the other light bulb? What can you conclude about the
value of the current when you connect devices in series?
Answer: The current through the other light bulb is 1 Ampere also. The value of the current
is the same when you connect devices in series.
B. How does the voltage from the source compared to the voltage in each light bulb in series
connection?
Answer: The voltage from the source is thrice the value of the voltage in each light bulb in
series connection.

9/9/2010 OLARVE
General Physics 2 Name: ___________________________________
PH221 - 21 Course: ______________________________________

II. PARALLEL CONNECTION

2. On the upper right window click the load button .

Under “Files of type” choose “All types” .
Load the file “parallel” and you can see the same illustration below.

2
Note: Here the 3 light bulbs are
already labeled as 1, 2 and 3.
3

3. Closed the switch and observe what will happen.

Answer: The light bulbs are switched off.

4. Complete the table below. Click show values

 The value of the resistance is shown at each light bulb

 Use the non contact ammeter and move it along the wire beside the
light bulb to determine the current.

 Use the voltmeter to determine the voltage in each light bulb. Move the
probe along the wires such that each probe is connected at each side of the wire.

Light Bulb Resistance(Ohms) Current(Amperes) Voltage(Volts)

1 20 1.35 27
2 10 2.70 27
3 10 2.70 27

o Calculate the total resistance of the circuit by this formula ( 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3)
1/RT = 1/20+1/10+1/10=1/4 Thus, RT = 4 Ohms.
o The value of the voltage source is the sum of the voltage of each battery (VS)
Answer: Vs = 9+9+9 = 27 Volts

9/9/2010 OLARVE
General Physics 2 Name: ___________________________________
PH221 - 21 Course: ______________________________________

o The value of the total current is shown at the ammeter in the circuit . Compare it
to the value of the current in each light bulb.
Answer: The value of the total current (6.75 Amperes) is five times the value of the current in
bulb 1, and 2.5 times the value of the current in bulbs 2 and 3.

Questions

A. In a circuit consisting of three light bulbs connected in parallel, if there is 6 V across one
lamp, what is the voltage across the other light bulb? What can you conclude about the value
of the voltage when you connect devices in parallel?
Answer: The voltage across the other light bulb is 6 Volts also. The value of the voltage is
the same as the value of the voltage in each light bulb when you connect devices in parallel.
B. How does the total current through the branches of a parallel circuit compare with the current
through the voltage source?
Answer: It is the same.

9/9/2010 OLARVE