ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. What are the identifying characteristics of a series circuit?

A circuit can be considered a series circuit when there is only one

complete path for which current could flow. For the series circuit, the
value of the current all throughout the circuit will be the same
regardless of what components are used or their values. While the
voltage in the circuit is different across different resistances. Total
resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of all the resistances
found in the circuit. A break in a series circuit stops the flow of current
in the whole circuit.

2. What are the identifying characteristics of a parallel circuit?

A circuit is considered a parallel circuit when there is more than one

path for the current to flow. Current in a parallel circuit is different in
different resistances, but the total current is equal to the sum of the
currents in all the branches as it is dependent upon the values of the
components used in the branch. For the voltage, it is the same across
all the resistances in the circuit. While the total resistance is less than
the sum of the individual resistances in the circuit. Unlike the series
circuit, a break in a parallel circuit only stops the current in the branch
where the break occurs.

3. What changes occur in the total resistance of a circuit as additional

resistances are added (a) in series, (b) in parallel.

(a) When additional resistance is connected in series then total

resistance will increase by that resistance.
(b) While for the parallel circuit, when additional resistance is
connected in parallel, the resistance will decrease. Adding more
resistors in parallel is equivalent to providing more branches
through which charge can flow.

4. What are the different types of resistance and their purpose?

  Fixed Resistors- They are used in electronics circuits to set the
right conditions in a circuit.
 Variable Resistors- This gives three connections to the
component: two connected to the fixed element, and the third
is the slider. In this way the component acts as a variable
potential divider if all three connections are used.
 Photoresistor- They are used in a number of sensor applications
and provide a very cost effective solution in many instances.
 Thermistor- As the name indicates, thermistors are heat
sensitive resistors. The resistance of the thermistor is varying
with temperature.
 Varistor- Essentially these electronic components vary their
resistance with the applied voltage and as a result they find
uses for spike and surge protection.
5. Why are lamps in a house lighting circuit not connected in series?

Series circuits have the characteristics at which it only provides one

path for the current to flow. Lamps in a house lighting are not
connected in series since if one of the lamps get damaged then all
other the lamps in the house will have no light as well since there is a
break which causes the current not to flow to the other lamps in the
house.

6. A small lamp is designed to draw 300mA in a 6V circuit. What is the

resistance of the lamp filament?

7. A battery with an internal resistance of 1.5Ω is connected in series

with resistor R1= 3Ω and R2= 3.5 Ω if the potential difference across
the 3Ω resistor is 9V. What is the emf of the battery?
8. Determine the ideal voltage source needed by three resistors
connected in series R1= 6Ω, R2= 8Ω and R3= 10Ω if a required
current of 0.5A flows in the circuit.

9. Determine the total resistance of the circuit below.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
For this experiment, we were to determine the values of the voltages
and current across the resistors who are connected in series or in parallel.
We first determined the components who are connected in series and
parallel. Results shown in Table 2.1 shows the measured values for the
experiment. For those components which are connected in series specifically
R1 and R2 together with R4 and R5, we expect similar values in the current
measured. R3 has a different value from that of the other resistors since it
is connected in parallel. We also measured the voltages across the resistors.
For us to check whether our measured values were correct, we find the sum
of the measured voltages of the components which are connected in series
and we are able to find an almost similar value to our voltage source. We
also calculated the value of our resistors using the Ohm’s Law. One of the
most important and basic laws of electrical circuits is Ohm's law which states
that the current passing through a conductor is proportional to the voltage
over the resistance. There is a significant difference between the calculated
value and the value that was measured using the V.O.M., this might be
caused of the inaccuracy of reading the analog ammeter. Table 2.2 shows
the simulated values using the TinaPro software. After we input the values
of our resistors, we are able to get the almost similar values to what we have
measured. Inaccuracy between the results of the software and the measure
value might be due to the inaccuracy of reading the analog ammeter.
CONCLUSION
Connections between the components are very vital towards the flow
of current and voltage in the circuit. From the experiment we are able to
demonstrate the characteristics of series and parallel circuits by measuring
and verifying the calculations of the resistance, voltage, and current
associated in the different resistive components in the circuit. From the
recorded values, we can conclude that current is the same all throughout a
series circuit same is true with the voltage in parallel circuits. Total voltage
and resistance in a series circuit is just the sum of the voltages and resistance
in the circuit. On the other hand, total current is the sum of the current
across the components in a parallel circuit. Through the recorded values we
are able to identify the difference in the flow of current and voltage when
components are connected in series or parallel. We were also able to
demonstrate the principle of basic electric circuit law which is called the
Ohm’s law which proves that our measured values were significantly
accurate. It was also helpful in determining the calculated values of the
resistances. Lastly we are also able to use the basic principles involved in
series, parallel and series-parallel circuit in which we are able to maximize
the equipment available for this experiment. Knowing that current in series
circuit are just equal, we just used one ammeter for those components in
series rather than using separate ammeters for the components. From the
values that we recorded from the experiment, we can conclude that the
current passing through a conductor is proportional to the voltage over the
resistance. Although there might be a minimal discrepancy between the
actual value and that of the measured value, we can conclude that the values
that our group recorded were correct. Minor errors in the reading of the
analog ammeter might be the reason why such discrepancies occur. All in
all, the experiment was very fun to do as we are able to learn more about
circuits.