e x p e r i m e n t1- city university london（e x p e r m e n t1 -伦敦城市大学）（8页）.docVIP

EXPERIMENT 2 RESISTORS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL INTRODUCTION An electric circuit is a complete path from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a power source. If the elements of the circuit are arranged in such a way that only one path exists for current flow (i.e. the current is identical for all elements), then the circuit is a series one. If an identical voltage exists across a number of alternative current paths then the circuit is a parallel one. Most practical circuits involve various combinations of series and parallel components. Of course components can be connected so that they are neither in series or parallel. Answer the following questions in your lab books: If voltages are identical, then how are the components connected? If currents are identical, then how are the components connected? 2.0 SERIES CIRCUITS 2.1 SERIES CIRCUIT THEORY A typical series circuit is shown in Figure 2.1, this circuit having four resistors and a power source Figure 2.1 The total resistance Rt in the circuit may be calculated by a simple summation of the individual resistors: Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 This may be extended for n number of resistors. From Ohm’s Law, the total current in the circuit may be calculated. Vs = ItRt or It = Vs/Rt An important requirement of a series circuit is that the current is identical throughout the circuit. This feature will be observed in this experiment. 2.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR SERIES CONNECTION TEST Select the resistors 1k(, 820( and 680(, and use the DMM to measure their values. Record your results in Table 2.1, which is to be drawn in your lab book. Nominal Resistance ( Measured Resistance ( % Difference R1 = R2 = R3 = Rtot = Table 2.1 Connect the resistors in series on your breadboard, and measure the total resistance, Rtot (do not connect the DC power supply yet, and do the % calculations outside lab time). 2.3 VOLTAGE TESTS Draw Table 2.2 in your lab book. Quantity Measured