Richard Zhao

Voltage(20
V)
Current(10
A)
Resist(200
)

Circuit w/
1st Light
5.5

Circuit w/
2nd Light
5.52

Series w/
Both Lights
5.58

Parallel w/
Both Lights
5.21

.24

.24

.16

.45

3.1

2.8

4.8

2.0
Per.4
Circuits Lab

Results

Circuit w/ 1st Light: We measured the voltage to be 5.5V once we

turned the dial to read at ranges of 20V. In
order to find out voltage, we put the alligator
clips onto the opposite ends of the lightbulb
and onto the battery. From there, we put the
voltmeter ends to the ends of the battery.
This allowed us to measure the difference in
potential between the two which gave us
voltage. In order to determine amps, we
made the multimeter part of the circuit. We
attached alligator clips that connected the
light bulb to the battery and the lightbulb to
Figure 1: Finding voltage for 1
the multimeter. We then connected the end
light
of the multimeter to the battery. Amps were
determined to be .24 when we turned the dial to 10.To find
resistance, the multimeter was attached directly to both ends of the
lightbulb. We were able to determine resistance by turning the
range to 200 ohms. We found that the resistance was then 3.1
ohms.

Figure 2: Finding current

for 1 light

Circuit w/ 2nd Light: This lightbulb turned out

to be very similar to the first one we used, so
it was expected that there would be little
difference between this circuit and the first.
We found out voltage the same way as before,
and got 5.52V. We then found current to be
the same as the 1st, .24. Resistance was 2.8
ohms.

Circuit w/Both Lights in Series: Lighting

this circuit in series was essentially the
same as the first 2 circuits. However, the
main difference was that we simply
attached the lightbulbs together first before
attaching to the battery or multi-meter(see
figure 3). Basically it was identical to the
previous 2, except that we connected a
second light between the first light and the
alligator clip or multimeter. When we
measured the voltage, it was close to the
same as the others, 5.58V. This was
Figure 3: Finding resistance
between 2 lightbulbs in series
expected because we were still measuring
the difference in potential across the entire circuit which should
have more or less remained the same. (had we measured between
a select resistors instead of the entire circuit, we would get
different results). Current was measured to be .16 amps- lower
than the previous 2. This is because the current will decrease when
he flows across subsequent resistors. This increase of resistance
will decrease current- expected because it is essentially adding
more cars in a 1 lane freeway.

Circuit w/ Both Lights in Parallel: In order to wire

this circuit, we essentially set the circuit up the
same way as the first 2, except that we attached a
2nd pair of alligator clips from the first lightbulb to
the second lightbulb. The voltage was 5.21,
similar to the other 3. Again, this was expected as
the voltage should in theory remain the same.
However, in the real world this isnt possible.
Figure 4: Measuring
resistance across 2
lightbulbs in parallel

Current was measured to be .45 amps, greater than the previous 3

circuits. Parallel circuits have an increase in current because more
electricity can flow in the circuit in the same amount of time. In a
sense, a parallel circuit is like adding more lanes in a freeway.
Since there are more lanes, electricity can flow through any one of
them which increase the total flow. Thus, we have a higher current.
Resistance was measured to be 2.0 ohms The resistance was
expected to be lower than the other 3 because current increased
and the voltage stayed constant.
Looking at the equation V =IR , since
the current(I) increased, R(resistance)
must decrease.

Analysis:
Expected resistance for 1st circuit =
Voltage / Current

Figure 5: Measuring current

for 2 lightbulbs in parallel

5.5
=22.9
.24

Observed: 3.1
Percent Error =

100
|3.122.9
22.9 |

= 86.5% error

Expected resistance for 2nd circuit

5.5
=2 2.9
.2 4

Observed: 2.8
Percent Error =

2.82 2.9
100
22.9

= 86.5%

Expected Resistance for Series w/ Both Lights

5.58
.1 6

= 34.9

Observed: 4.8
Percent Error =

4.9
100
|4.83
34.9 |

= 86.2%

Expected Resistance for Parallel w/ Both Lights

5.21
.4 5

= 11.58

Observed: 2.0
Percent Error =

100
|2.011.68
1 1.68 |

= 82.9%

This seemed about right for a percent error for the circuits, as in
the real world its impossible to get idea and perfect readings.
The components we used were inherently imperfect which
contributed to our percent error. For example, the alligator clips
we used could have been imperfect conductors in the first place
which would have led to less current flow than expected. Dirty
alligator pins and the subsequent contact would in theory yield
inaccurate results.
The voltmeter could also have been slightly inaccurate in readings
as we were told that their resistance readings could be off at times.
The usage of a measuring tool like a multimeter also uses energy in
the circuit, lowering voltage and affecting readings.
The lightbulbs might also have impacted the accuracy of our data.
The wires connecting the lightbulbs could also have been impure
and not have been a perfect conductor. The wires themselves were
slight resistors.
Questions:
Scenarios to consider:

Figure 6: Measuring voltage

across 1 resistor

6a. In order to have the voltmeter measure roughly one-third the

value of the voltage, we would have to set
up a circuit with 3 lightbulbs in a series
and only measure the voltage difference
between 1 resistor. That is, if we wire 3
lightbulbs in series, then the voltage would
be split amongst the 3
lightbulbs(resistors). Since the voltmeter
measures differences in potential between
the two sides, all we have to do is measure
the difference between 1 resistor.
When we actually tried this, we measured 1.8V
for only 1 resistor, which was around a
third of 5.5V.

6b. In order to make the ammeter read 1.5 times greater, we would
have to set up 3 lightbulbs in a parallel twice and connect those 2

separate circuits in series. That is, we would have to connect 3

lightbulbs in parallel, then make that same circuit again. We would
then connect those 2 circuits in series.

Figure 7: Battery of 10V initial