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PRAC 6: SERIES and PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Introduction
There are two types of circuits we can make called series and parallel.
The components in a circuit are joined together by wires.
If the circuit is one continuous loop with no branches then it is a SERIES circuit.
If there are branches it is a PARALLEL circuit

Series Circuits
In a television series, you get several episodes, one after
the other. A series circuit is similar. You get several
components one after the other. If you follow the circuit
diagram from one side of the cell to the other, you should
pass through all the different components, one after the
other, without any branches.
If you put more lamps into a series circuit, the lamps will
be dimmer than before.
Because the current has to pass through each component
in a series circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is
disconnected, the circuit is broken and all the components
stop working.

Parallel Circuits
In parallel circuits different components are connected on
different branches of the wire.
If you follow the circuit diagram from
one side of the cell to the other, you
can only pass through all the different
components if you follow all the
branches.

In a parallel circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is


disconnected from one parallel wire, the components on different
branches keep working.
This is because there is still a complete path (circuit) for the current to flow

Glossary Terms
Voltage is an electric force that causes electrons to move. The bigger the force the more
current that will tend to flow. Voltage is measured with the units Volts (V), the symbol V and
uses a Voltmeter. Voltmeters measure the voltage across a component and are connected
in parallel.
Current is a measure of the rate of electric charge that is flowing. It is measure with the
units Amps (A), the symbol I and uses an ammeter. Ammeters measure the flow through a
circuit so they are connected in series

Aim
To compare series and parallel circuits

Materials
Variable power supply (set to 6 V)
Three 6-volt light globes and holders
9 connecting leads with alligator clips or banana plugs
2 x Voltmeters
Ammeter

Procedure
Using the variable power supply
Use only the DC outputs coloured red (+) and black (-).
Set the voltage to the correct value before switching the power supply on. If you use to
high a Voltage you could cause one of the components to overheat or to blow. For this
experiment, you will be using 6 Volts

SERIES CIRCUITS
Circuit 1
1. Set the Voltage on the power supply to 6 Volts
2. Plug a wire with a banana clip into each of the DC outputs
(red and black) on the power supply) DO NOT USE THE
YELLOW AC PLUGS
3. Connect the globes according to the picture to the right.
You should be able to follow one continuous circuit from
the red DC output through the lamp, then back into the
black DC output.
4. Switch on the power supply
Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using the correct symbols for each component

Circuit 2
1. Set the Voltage on the power supply to 6 Volts
2. Plug a wire with a banana clip into each of the
DC outputs (red and black) on the power
supply) DO NOT USE THE YELLOW AC PLUGS
3. Connect the two globes according to the picture
to the right. You should be able to follow one
continuous circuit from the red DC output
through 1 lamp, then the other and back into
the black DC output.
4. Switch on the power supply
5. Remove one globe from its holder
6. Replace the globe that was removed, then remove the other one.

Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using the correct symbols for each
component

Observe How does the brightness of the two globes compare with the
brightness of a single globe when connected to the same power supply?
What happens when each of the globes are removed
7. Connect an ammeter to your circuit (remember it must be connected in series.
Ensure that the black terminal leads towards the black output on the power
supply and the red terminal is connected towards the red output on the power
supply. If there are two red terminals on your ammeter connect to the one that
has the number 1 on it. This will allow you to measure current between 0 and 1.
Ensure that you read the correct scale on the ammeter. The numbers should run
from 0 to 1 as well
8. Connect a Voltmeter across each of
your lamps in parallel. You may need to
clip the wires on to the alligator clips
already connected to the lamps.
9. Remove one of the globes from the
circuit and record the current and
the voltage

Record the readings from your ammeter


and both Voltmeters in the results table
in your book (see below)
PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Circuit 1
1. Set the Voltage on the power supply to 6 Volts
2. Plug a wire with a banana clip into each of the DC
outputs (red and black) on the power supply) DO NOT
USE THE YELLOW AC PLUGS
3. Connect the globes according to the picture to the
right. When you attach the second globe, you may
need to clip the alligator clips from one wire onto the
alligator clip that is already attached to the globe.
You should be able to follow two different continuous
circuits from the red DC output through each of the
lamps, then back into the black DC output.
4. Switch on the power supply
5. Remove one globe from its holder
6. Replace the globe that was removed, then remove the other one.

Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using the correct symbols for each
component

Observe How does the brightness of the two globes compare with the
brightness of a single globe when connected to the same power supply?
What happens when each of the globes are removed

Circuit 2
7. Connect an ammeter to your circuit (remember it must be connected in series.
Ensure that the black terminal leads towards the black output on the power
supply and the red terminal is connected towards the red output on the power
supply. If there are two red terminals on your ammeter connect to the one that
has the number 1 on it. This will allow you to measure current between 0 and 1.
Ensure that you read the correct scale on the ammeter. The numbers should run
from 0 to 1 as well
8. Connect a Voltmeter across each of your lamps in parallel. You may need to clip
the wires on to the alligator clips already connected to the lamps.
9. Remove one globe from its holder
10. Replace the globe that was removed, then remove the other one.
Record the readings from your ammeter and both Voltmeters in the results table in
your book (see below)
Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using the correct symbols for each component

Results
1. Copy this table into your book and complete it while you are conducting your
experiment
SERIES
I= V1 = V2 =
Current Voltage1 Voltage2
(Amps) (Volts) (Volts) Observations
Both globes
connected
Globe 1
disconnected
Globe 2
disconnected
1 Globe only N/A
PARALLEL
I= V1 = V2 =
Current Voltage 1 Voltage 2
(Amps) (Volts) (Volts) Observations
Both globes
connected
Globe 1
disconnected
Globe 2
disconnected

Analysis - Looking for patterns


When a scientist analyses data they are looking for patterns which helps them to
better understand the science that they are studying

Ask yourself the following questions


As one variable increases (e.g. the number of lamps) does the other value
(e.g. current or voltage) increase or decrease?
Is there a pattern to the change (e.g. the value changes by the same amount
each time an extra lamp is added or the value doubles/ triples/ halves/
quarters etc. when the number of lamps is doubled)?
Discuss and explain
Describe
Give an account of the characteristics or features of something. Provide details about someth

Explain
Provide additional information of the reasoning and/or application of something that demonstrates an understanding

Compare
note how things are similar or dissimilar by providing examples and/ or values

Give all of your responses in your book and ensure that you write in full sentences
Ensure that you have drawn circuit diagrams for the two series circuits and the
parallel circuit using the correct symbols and following the rules for drawing
circuit diagrams

Electric Circuits
1. Describe what happened when one of the bulbs is removed from the series
circuits.
2. Explain why this happened. Use the terms current, circuit and flow in your
response.
3. Describe what happened when one of the bulbs was removed from the parallel
circuit.
4. Explain why this happened. Use the terms current, circuit and flow in your
response.
Current and Voltage
1. Compare the amount of current that was flowing in the series circuit when the
globe was connected and when it was disconnected. Ensure that you give values
and units.
2. Compare the voltage across the two globes in the series circuit when the globe
was connected and when it was disconnected. Ensure that you give values and
units. How does this compare to the voltage being supplied by the power supply
(6 Volts)?
3. Compare the amount of current that was flowing in the parallel circuit when the
globe was connected and when it was disconnected. Ensure that you give values
and units.
4. Compare the voltage across the two globes in the parallel circuit when the
globe was connected and when it was disconnected. Ensure that you give values
and units. How does this compare to the voltage being supplied by the power
supply (6 Volts)?
General Rules for Circuits
Complete the rules below based on the data you have collected and analysed
Select a response for each blank from the options
1. The current in a circuit _____________ by ____________ each time a load (lamp) is
added in series
2. The current in a circuit _____________ by ____________ each time a load (lamp) is
added in parallel
3. The Voltage in a circuit _____________ by ____________ each time a load (lamp) is
added in series
4. The Voltage in a circuit _____________ by ____________ each time a load (lamp) is
added in parallel

the same amount/ twice/


Increase/ decreases/ stays
three-times/ four-times/ half/ a
the same
third/ a quarter

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