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What are the differences between series and
parallel circuits?
Introduction
We will explore the differences between series and parallel circuits and improve our circuit
building
​
Equipment and materials
•
Five lamps
•
Connecting wires
•
6 V power supply (max)
•
Voltmeter and ammeters
Method: series
1.
Build the circuit with one lamp in series with the power supply, an ammeter in series and a
voltmeter with probes.
2.
Adjust the electromotive force from the power supply to 6 V.
3.
Measure the current going into and out of the Lamp 1.
4.
Measure the potential difference across Lamp 1.
5.
Add a lamp in series and measure the current before Lamp 1, before Lamp 2 and before the
cell.
6.
Measure the voltage across each component using the probes.
Method: parallel
1.
Build the circuit, with two lamps in parallel with the power supply.
2.
Adjust the electromotive force from the power supply to 6 V.
3.
Measure the current on the Lamp 1 branch and the potential difference across it.
4.
Repeat on the Lamp 2 branch.
5.
Add Lamp 3 in parallel to the power supply and repeat the measurements.
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit
A series circuit has a single path for the current
to travel around the circuit.
A parallel circuit has more than one path.
Name
Data table
Series
Parallel
Discussion
What do you notice about the current and voltage in a series circuit? How does this compare
within and across the circuits?
What do you notice about the current and voltage in a parallel circuit?
How does this compare
within and across the circuits?
Conclusion: write equations to describe your observations
Number
of
lamps
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Cell
1
2
3
4
5
Voltage across lamp / V
Current through / mA
Number
of
lamps
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Cell
1
2
3
4
5
Voltage across the lamp / V
Current before / mA
Series
Parallel
Current
Voltage
