Building Circuits Investigation
Part A : Practical Investigation
1. Construct a circuit with a 4.5 V battery, a switch, and a light
bulb. Save and paste the
circuit into a word processing document.
2. Modify the circuit constructed in question 1 by adding an
ammeter after the light bulb and
a voltmeter that measures the voltage drop at the light bulb.
Remember that an ammeter
is connected in series with the load, and a voltmeter is connected
in parallel with the
load. What is the reading on the ammeter and voltmeter? Again,
paste this circuit into the
same word processing document along with the meter readings.
3. Construct a new circuit with a 1.5 V battery, a light bulb, and
a 100 ohm resistor in series.
Measure the current in the circuit by placing an ammeter between
the resistor and the
light. What is the reading on the ammeter? Cut and paste the
completed circuit into the
word processing document along with the meter reading.
Note: A resistor is an electric device that slows the flow of
electric current. The higher the
resistance of the resistor (measured in ohms), the slower the
current. We will talk much
more about resistors in the next activity.
4. Construct a new circuit with a DC power supply, a switch, and
one light bulb. When the
switch is closed and the power supply is set at 6 V, will the bulb
explode (audio must be
enabled)? (Hint: You can repair a burned out light bulb by clicking
on "Repair" in the
menu and then moving the "tool" to the light bulb). Again, include
the circuit diagram in
the word processing document and a statement as to whether the bulb
exploded.
5. Construct a fifth circuit with two light bulbs. The power source
will be a 4.5 V battery.
When the switch is clicked to the left, one light will be very
bright but the other one will be
off. When the switch is clicked to the right, both light bulbs will
be on but not very bright
(use the Alternate Switch that is available to you). Cut and paste
the circuit into the above
word processing document.
Part B : Questions
1. In your own words, distinguish between:
(a) electric current and electric potential difference
(b) DC and AC
2. Using diagrams to aid your explanation, distinguish between
electron flow
and conventional current.
3. Construct a schematic diagram of an energy source and two
light bulbs connected:
(a) in series
(b) in parallel
4. Do some research to find out what is meant by a short circuit
and why it can be so
dangerous.