Includes

Teacher's Notes
and
Typical
Instruction Manual and 012-04367E
4/94
Experiment
Results Experiment Guide for
the PASCO scientific
Model EM-8622

BASIC ELECTRICITY

L
DE
MO -8622
EM

C
B
A
CW

-
D +
E -
+
C

© 1990 PASCO scientific $10.00

better

10101 Foothills Blvd. • P.O. Box 619011 • Roseville, CA 95678-9011 USA ways to

Phone (916) 786-3800 • FAX (916) 786-8905 • TWX 910-383-2040 teach physics
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Table of Contents

Section ...........................................................................................................Page
Copyright, Warranty, and Equipment Return ................................................. ii
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
Equipment ........................................................................................................ 1
Getting Started, The Experiments ................................................................... 2
Comments on Meters ....................................................................................... 3
Notes on the Circuits Experiment Board ......................................................... 4
Experiments
Experiment 1: Circuits Experiment Board ....................................... 5
Experiment 2: Lights in Circuits ...................................................... 7
Experiment 3: Ohm's Law ................................................................ 9
Experiment 4: Resistances in Circuits ............................................ 11
Experiment 5: Voltages in Circuits ................................................ 15
Experiment 6: Currents in Circuits ................................................. 19
Experiment 7: Kirchhoff's Rules .................................................... 21
Experiment 8: Capacitors in Circuits.............................................. 23
Experiment 9: Diodes ..................................................................... 25
Experiment 10: Transistors ............................................................... 27
Appendix: Tips and Troubleshooting ........................................................... 29
Replacement Parts List .................................................................................. 31
Teacher's Guide ............................................................................................. 33
Technical Support ................................................................................ Back Cover

i
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Copyright, Warranty and Equipment Return

Please—Feel free to duplicate this manual

subject to the copyright restrictions below.

Copyright Notice Equipment Return

The PASCO scientific Model EM-8622 Basic Electricity Should this product have to be returned to PASCO
manual is copyrighted and all rights reserved. However, scientific, for whatever reason, notify PASCO scientific
permission is granted to non-profit educational institu- by letter or phone BEFORE returning the product. Upon
tions for reproduction of any part of this manual provid- notification, the return authorization and shipping instruc-
ing the reproductions are used only for their laboratories tions will be promptly issued.
and are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any other
circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO ➤ NOTE: NO EQUIPMENT WILL BE AC-
scientific, is prohibited. CEPTED FOR RETURN WITHOUT AN AU-
THORIZATION.
Limited Warranty
When returning equipment for repair, the units must be
PASCO scientific warrants this product to be free from packed properly. Carriers will not accept responsibility
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one for damage caused by improper packing. To be certain
year from the date of shipment to the customer. PASCO the unit will not be damaged in shipment, observe the
will repair or replace, at its option, any part of the product following rules:
which is deemed to be defective in material or workman-
ship. This warranty does not cover damage to the product ➀ The carton must be strong enough for the item
caused by abuse or improper use. Determination of shipped.
whether a product failure is the result of a manufacturing ➁ Make certain there is at least two inches of packing
defect or improper use by the customer shall be made material between any point on the apparatus and the
solely by PASCO scientific. Responsibility for the return inside walls of the carton.
of equipment for warranty repair belongs to the customer.
Equipment must be properly packed to prevent damage ➂ Make certain that the packing material can not shift in
and shipped postage or freight prepaid. (Damage caused the box, or become compressed, thus letting the instru-
by improper packing of the equipment for return ship- ment come in contact with the edge of the box.
ment will not be covered by the warranty.) Shipping
costs for returning the equipment, after repair, will be
paid by PASCO scientific. Address: PASCO scientific
10101 Foothills Blvd.
P.O. Box 619011
Roseville, CA 95678-9011
Phone: (916) 786-3800
FAX: (916) 786-8905

Credits
This manual authored by: Clarence Bakken
This manual edited by: Dave Griffith
Teacher’s guide written by: Eric Ayars

ii
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Introduction

The PASCO Circuits Experiment Board is designed to circuit and continuing on to a study of Kirchhoff’s Laws
implement a large variety of basic electrical circuits for and characteristics of diodes and transistors. A labeled
experimentation. The Circuits Experiment Board can be pictorial diagram of the Experiment Board appears in
used for experiments beginning with a simple complete Figure 1.2 of Experiment 1.

Equipment

The PASCO Model EM-8622 Circuits Experiment Kit

includes the following materials: Instruction Manual and 012-04367A
3/91
Experiment Guide for
the PASCO scientific
(2) Circuits Experiment Boards, Model EM-8622

(1) Resistor–– 3.3 Ω, 2W, 5% BASIC ELECTRICITY

(1) Potentiometer–– 25 Ω, 2W
(1) Transistor Socket
(32) Springs
(1) Battery Holder
(3) Light Sockets Copyright © November 1990 $10.00

(3) #14 Light Bulbs – 2.5 V, 0.3 A* DE

L
MO -8622 10101 Foothills Blvd. • P.O. Box 619011 • Roseville, CA 95678-9011 USA
better
ways to

E M Phone (916) 786-3800 • FAX (916) 786-8905 • TWX 910-383-2040 teach physics

(1) Storage Tube

(1) Component Bag
Resistors
C
(2) 10 Ω–– 1 watt B
(3) 100 Ω–– 1/2 watt A

(8) 330 Ω–– 1/2 watt

CW

-
(3) 560 Ω–– 1/2 watt D
E -
+

(3) 1000 Ω–– 1/2 watt

+
C
(2) 100 K Ω–– 1/2 watt
(2) 220 K Ω–– 1/2 watt
(2) Diodes 1N-4007
(2) Transistors 2N-3904
Capacitors
(2) 100 µ F–– 16 volts
(2) 330 µ F–– 16 volts
Wire Leads–– 22 ga.
(1) Experiment Manual
* NOTE: Due to manufacturer's tolerances,
wattage may vary by 15-30% from bulb to bulb.

1
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Getting Started

➀ Open the zip-lock bag containing the resistors and Store the remainder of the components in the zip-
other components. Distribute the following resistors lock bag until needed in future experiments.
and wires to each of the boards, storing them in the ➁ Students will need to use the same resistors, same bat-
plastic holder at the top of the board:
teries, etc. from one experiment to another, particu-
(3) 5" Wire Leads (12.7 cm) larly during experiments 4 to 6. Labeling of the
boards and your meters will enable students to more
(4) 10" Wire Leads (25.4 cm)
easily have continuity in their work. A pad has been
(1) 100 Ω Resistor (brown, black, brown, gold) included on the board for purposes of labeling indi-
(3) 330 Ω Resistors (orange, orange, brown, gold) vidual boards. Use of a removable label or using a
permanent marker are two alternatives.
(1) 560 Ω Resistor (green, blue, brown, gold)
(1) 1000 Ω Resistor (brown, black, red, gold)

The Experiments

The experiments written up in this manual are develop- Additional Equipment needed:
mental, starting from an introduction to the Circuits
Experiments 3-10 Digital Multimeter, VOM or
Experiment Board and complete circuits, through series
VTVM (See discussion on page 3)
and parallel circuits, ultimately resulting in diode and
transistor characteristics. These experiments can be used Experiments 8-10 The Meter needs at least 106 Ω
in combination with existing labs that the teacher em- input impedance
ploys, or may be used as a complete lab unit. Experiment 8 A timing device is needed,
Experiment 1 Circuits Experiment Board 0.1 second resolution.
Experiment 2 Lights in Circuits Experiment 9 A.C. Power Supply and an
Oscilloscope (optional)
Experiment 3 Ohm’s Law
Experiment 4 Resistances in Circuits
Experiment 5 Voltages in Circuits
Experiment 6 Currents in Circuits
Experiment 7 Kirchhoff’s Rules
Experiment 8 Capacitors in Circuits
Experiment 9 Diode Characteristics
Experiment 10 Transistor Characteristics

2
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Comments on Meters

VOM: VTVM:
The Volt-Ohm-Meter or VOM is a multiple scale, multiple The Vacuum Tube Voltmeter or VTVM is a multiple
function meter (such as the PASCO SB-9623 Analog scale, multiple function meter, typically measuring
Multimeter), typically measuring voltage and resistance, voltage and resistance. They do not usually measure
and often current, too. These usually have a meter move- current. The meter is an analog one, with a variety of
ment, and may select different functions and scales by scales, selected with a rotating switch on the front of the
means of a rotating switch on the front of the unit. meter.
Advantages: VOM’s may exist in your laboratory and Advantages: VTVM’s have high input resistances, on
thus be readily accessible. A single meter may be used to the order of 106 Ω or greater. By measuring the voltage
make a variety of measurements rather than needing across a known resistance, current can be measured with
several meters. a VTVM.
Disadvantages: VOM’s may be difficult for beginning Disadvantages: VTVM’s have multiple scales. Students
students to learn to read, having multiple scales corre- need practice to avoid the mistake of reading the incorrect
sponding to different settings. VOM’s are powered by one. An internal battery provides the current for measur-
batteries for their resistance function, and thus must be ing resistance, and needs to be replaced from time to time.
checked to insure the batteries are working well. Typi- Grounding problems can occur when using more than one
cally, VOM’s may have input resistances of 30,000 Ω on VTVM to make multiple measurements in the same
the lowest voltage range, the range that is most often used circuit.
in these experiments. For resistances in excess of
1,000 Ω, this low meter resistance affects circuit opera- Panelmeters:
tion during the taking of readings, and thus is not usable
Individual meters, frequently obtained from scientific
for the capacitor, diode and transistor labs.
supply houses, are available in the form of voltmeters,
DMM: ammeters, and galvanometers (such as PASCO’s
The Digital Multimeter or DMM is a multiple scale, SE-9748 Voltmeter 5 V, 15 V , SE-9746 Ammeter 1 A,
multiple function meter (such as the PASCO SB-9624 5 A and SE-9749 Galvanometer ± 35 mV). In some
Basic Digital Multimeter or the SE-9589 General Purpose models, multiple scales are also available.
DMM), typically measuring voltage and resistance, and Advantages: Meters can be used which have the specific
often current, too. These have a digital readout, often range required in a specific experiment. This helps to
with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Different func- overcome student errors in reading.
tions and scales are selected with either a rotating switch
or with a series of push-button switches. Disadvantages: Using individual meters leads to errors
in choosing the correct one. With limited ranges, students
Advantages: DMM’s are easily read, and with their may find themselves needing to use another range and not
typically high input impedances (>106 Ω) give good results have a meter of that range available. Many of the
for circuits having high resistance. Students learn to read individual meters have low input impedances
DMM’s quickly and make fewer errors reading values. (voltmeters) and large internal resistances (ammeters).
Reasonable quality DMM’s can be purchased for $60 or Ohmmeters are almost nonexistent in individual form.
less. PASCO strongly recommends the use of DMM’s.
Disadvantages: DMM’s also require the use of a battery, Light Bulbs
although the lifetime of an alkaline battery in a DMM is
The #14 bulbs are nominally rated at 2.5 V and 0.3 A.
quite long. The battery is used on all scales and func-
However, due to relatively large variations allowed by
tions. Most DMM’s give the maximum reading on the
the manufacturer, the wattage of the bulbs may vary by
selector (i.e., under voltage, “2” means 2-volt maximum,
15 to 30%. Therefore, supposedly “identical” bulbs may
actually 1.99 volt maximum). This may be confusing to
not shine with equal brightness in simple circuits.
some students.

3
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Notes on the Circuits Experiment Board

The springs are securely soldered to the board and serve When connecting a circuit to a D-cell, note the polarity
as a convenient method for connecting wires, resistors (+ or -) which is printed on the board. In some cases the
and other components. Some of the springs are con- polarity is not important, but in some it will be impera-
nected electrically to devices like the potentiometer and tive. Polarity is very important for most meters.
the D-cells. In the large Experimental Area, the springs
Connections are made on the Circuits Experiment Board
are connected in pairs, oriented perpendicular to each
by pushing a stripped wire or a lead to a component into a
other. This facilitates the connection of various types of
spring. For maximum effect, the stripped part of the wire
circuits.
should extend so that it passes completely across the
If a spring is too loose, press the coils together firmly to spring, making contact with the spring at four points.
tighten it up. The coils of the spring should not be too This produces the most secure electrical and mechanical
tight, as this will lead to bending and/or breaking of the connection.
component leads when they are inserted or removed. If a
spring gets pushed over, light pressure will get it straight-
ened back up. Spring

The components, primarily resistors, and small wires can

Wire
be stored in the plastic container at the top of the board.
(top view)
Encourage students to keep careful track of the compo-
nents and return them to the container each day following
the lab period.

(side view)

Figure 1 Diagram of wires and springs

4
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 1: Circuits Experiment Board

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment -Board
-D-cell Battery -Wire Leads
-Graph -Paper
Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to become familiar with the Circuits Experiment Board, to learn how to
construct a complete electrical circuit, and to learn how to represent electrical circuits with circuit
diagrams.
Background
➀ Many of the key elements of electrical circuits have been reduced to symbol form. Each symbol
represents an element of the device’s operation, and may have some historical significance. In this
lab and the ones which follow, we will use symbols frequently, and it is necessary you learn
several of those symbols.

Battery
Wire Light
(Cell)

Switch Resistor Fuse

➁ The Circuits Experiment Board has been designed to conduct a wide variety of experiments easily
and quickly. A labeled pictorial diagram of the Experiment Board appears on page 6. Refer to
that page whenever you fail to understand a direction which mentions a device on the board itself.
➂ Notes on the Circuits Experiment Board:
a) The springs are soldered to the board to serve as convenient places for connecting wires,
resistors and other components. Some of the springs are connected electrically to devices like
the potentiometer and the D-cells.
b) If a spring is too loose, press the coils together firmly to enable it to hold a wire more tightly.
If a spring gets pushed over, light pressure will get it straightened back up. If you find a spring
which doesn’t work well for you, please notify your instructor.
c) The components, primarily resistors, are contained in a plastic case at the top of the board.
Keep careful track of the components and return them to the storage case following each lab
period. This way you will get components with consistent values from lab to lab.
d) When you connect a circuit to a D-cell (each “battery” is just a cell, with two or more cells
comprising a battery) note the polarity (+ or -) which is printed on the board. Although in
some cases the polarity may not be important, in others it may very important.
e) Due to normal differences between light bulbs, the brightness of “identical” bulbs may vary
substantially.

5
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Procedure
➀ Use two pieces of wire to make connections between the springs on one of the light bulbs to
the springs on the D-cell in such a way that the light will glow. Discuss with your lab partner
before you begin actually wiring your circuit which connections you intend to make, and why
you think you will be successful in activating the light. If you are not successful, try in order:
changing the wiring, using another light, using another cell, asking the instructor for assis-
tance.
a) Sketch the connections that the wires make when you are successful, using the symbols
from the first page of this lab.
b) Re-sketch the total circuit that you have constructed, making the wires run horizontally
and vertically on the page. This is more standard in terms of drawing electrical circuits.
➁ Reverse the two wires at the light. Does this have any effect on the operation? Reverse the
two wires at the cell. Does this have any effect on the operation?
➂ In the following steps, use a vacant spring

➤
connection such as one of the three around the
transistor socket as shown on the right as a
“switch.” Connect one lead from the battery to Can be
this spring and then take a third wire from the removed
spring to the light. You can now switch the “Switch”
power “on” and “off” by connecting or not
connecting the third wire. Figure 1.1
➃ Use additional wires as needed to connect a second light into the circuit in such a way that it is
also lighted. (Use a “switch” to turn the power on and off once the complete wiring has been
achieved.) Discuss your plans with your lab partner before you begin. Once you have
achieved success, sketch the connections that you made in the form of a circuit diagram.
Annotate your circuit diagram by making appropriate notes to the side indicating what
happened with that particular circuit. If you experience lack of success, keep trying.

➤ NOTE: Is your original light the same brightness, or was it brighter or dimmer that it was
during step 1? Can you explain any differences in the brightness, or the fact that it is the
same? If not, don’t be too surprised, as this will be the subject of future study.

➄ If you can devise another

way of connecting two lights
into the same circuit, try it Battery Holder
out. Sketch the circuit
2 amp slow blow fuse

CIRCUIT EXPERIMENT

diagram when finished and

Model EM-8622

1.5 volts
D cell
BOARD

note the relative brightness. Storage

Compare your brightness
Circuits Experiment Board

Box
with what you achieved with Springs
1.5 volts
D cell
Model 555-04182-1

KIT NO.

a single light by itself.

➅ Disconnect the wires.
C

Return the components and

wires to the plastic case on Transistor
B

the Circuits Experiment Socket

A

Board. Return the equip-

ment to the location indi-
cated by your instructor. Light Bulbs Resistor (3.3 Ω) Potentiometer

Figure 1.2
6
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 2: Lights in Circuits

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Two D-cell Batteries
-Wire Leads -Graph Paper.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to determine how light bulbs behave in different circuit arrangements.
Different ways of connecting two batteries will also be investigated.
Procedure

PART A

➤ NOTE: Due to variations from bulb to bulb, the brightness of one bulb may be substantially
different from the brightness of another bulb in “identical” situations.

➀ Use two pieces of wire to connect a single light bulb to one of the D-cells in such a way that the
light will glow. Include a “switch” to turn the light on and off, preventing it from being on
continuously. (You should have completed this step in Experiment 1. If that is the case, review
what you did then. If not, continue with this step.)
➁ Use additional wires as needed to connect a second light into the circuit in such a way that it is
also lighted. Discuss your plans with your lab partner before you begin. Once you have
achieved success, sketch the connections that you made in the form of a circuit diagram using
standard symbols. Annotate your circuit diagram by making appropriate notes to the side
indicating what happened with that particular circuit.

➤ NOTE: Is your original light the same brightness, or was it brighter or dimmer than it was
during step 1? Can you explain any differences in the brightness, or why it is the same?

➂ If one of the light bulbs is unscrewed, does the other bulb go out or does it stay on? Why or
why not?
➃ Design a circuit that will allow you to light all three lights, with each one being equally bright.
Draw the circuit diagram once you have been successful. If you could characterize the circuit
as being a series or parallel circuit, which would it be? What happens if you unscrew one of
the bulbs? Explain.
➄ Design another circuit which will also light all three bulbs, but with the bulbs all being equally
bright, even though they may be brighter or dimmer than in step 4. Try it. When you are
successful, draw the circuit diagram. What happens if you unscrew one of the bulbs?
Explain.
➅ Devise a circuit which will light two bulbs at the same intensity, but the third at a different
intensity. Try it. When successful, draw the circuit diagram. What happens if you unscrew
one of the bulbs? Explain.

➤ NOTE: Are there any generalizations that you can state about different connections to a set
of lights?

7
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

PART B
➆ Connect a single D-cell to a single light as in step 1, using a spring clip “switch” to allow
you to easily turn the current on and off. Note the brightness of the light.
⑧ Now connect the second D-cell into the circuit as shown in Figure 2.1a. What is the effect
on the brightness of the light?

➤ ➤ ➤
➤ ➤ ➤

Figure 2.1a Figure 2.1b Figure 2.1c

⑨ Connect the second D-cell as in Figure 2.1b. What is the effect on the brightness?
➉ Finally, connect the second D-cell as in figure 2.1c. What is the effect on the brightness?

➤ NOTE: Determine the nature of the connections between the D-cells you made in steps
8-10. Which of these was most useful in making the light brighter? Which was least
useful? Can you determine a reason why each behaved as it did?

PART C
11 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.2. What
is the effect of rotating the knob on the device
that is identified as a “Potentiometer?”

Discussion Light

➀ Answer the questions which appear during the

experiment procedure. Pay particular attention Potentiometer
to the “NOTED:” questions. Battery
➁ What are the apparent rules for the operation of
lights in series? In parallel?
➂ What are the apparent rules for the operation of
batteries in series? In parallel?
➃ What is one function of a potentiometer in a
circuit?
Figure 2.2 (Not to scale)

8
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 3: Ohm’s Law

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -D-cell Battery
-Multimeter -Wire Leads
-Graph Paper.
Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to investigate the three variables involved in a mathematical
relationship known as Ohm’s Law.
Procedure
➀ Choose one of the resistors that you have been given. Using the chart on the back, decode the
resistance value and record that value in the first column of Table 3.1.

Red (+)

Black (-)

Red (+)

Black (-)

Figure 3.1a Figure 3.1b

➁ MEASURING CURRENT: Construct the circuit shown in Figure 3.1a by pressing the leads
of the resistor into two of the springs in the Experimental Section on the Circuits Experiment
Board.
➂ Set the Multimeter to the 200 mA range, noting any special connections needed for measuring
current. Connect the circuit and read the current that is flowing through the resistor. Record this
value in the second column of Table 3.1.
➃ Remove the resistor and choose another. Record its resistance value in Table 3.1 then measure
and record the current as in steps 2 and 3. Continue this process until you have completed all of
the resistors you have been given. As you have more than one resistor with the same value, keep
them in order as you will use them again in the next steps.
➄ MEASURING VOLTAGE: Disconnect the Multimeter and connect a wire from the positive
lead (spring) of the battery directly to the first resistor you used as shown in Figure 3.1b. Change
the Multimeter to the 2 VDC scale and connect the leads as shown also in Figure 3.1b. Measure
the voltage across the resistor and record it in Table 3.1.
➅ Remove the resistor and choose the next one you used. Record its voltage in Table 3.1 as in step
5. Continue this process until you have completed all of the resistors.

9
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Data Processing
➀ Construct a graph of Current (vertical axis) vs Resistance.
➁ For each of your sets of data, calculate the ratio of Voltage/Resistance. Compare the values
you calculate with the measured values of the current.

Resistance, Ω Current, amp Voltage, volt Voltage/Resistance

Table 3.1

Discussion
➀ From your graph, what is the mathematical relationship between Current and Resistance?
➁ Ohm’s Law states that current is given by the ratio of voltage/resistance. Does your data
concur with this?
➂ What were possible sources of experimental error in this lab? Would you expect each to
make your results larger or to make them smaller?

Reference

Black 0
Brown 1 2nd Digit
Red 2 No. of Zeros Fourth Band
1st Digit
Orange 3 Tolerance
Yellow 4 None ±20%
Green 5 Silver ±10%
Blue 6 Gold ±5%
Violet 7 Red ±2%
Gray 8
White 9
Figure 3.2
10
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 4: Resistances in Circuits

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Boar
- Multimeter
-Resistors.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to begin experimenting with the variables that contribute to the opera-
tion of an electrical circuit. This is the first of a three connected labs.

Procedure
➀ Choose the three resistors having the same value. Enter those sets of colors in Table 4.1 below.
We will refer to one as #1, another as #2 and the third as #3.
➁ Determine the coded value of your resistors. Enter the value in the column labeled “Coded
Resistance” in Table 4.1. Enter the Tolerance value as indicated by the color of the fourth band
under “Tolerance.”
➂ Use the Multimeter to measure the resistance of each of your three resistors. Enter these values
in Table 4.1.
➃ Determine the percentage experimental error of each resistance value and enter it in the appropri-
ate column.
Experimental Error = [(|Measured - Coded|) / Coded ] x 100%.

Colors Coded Measured %

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Resistance Resistance Tolerance
Error

#1

#2

#3

Table 4.1

➄ Now connect the three resistors into the SERIES CIRCUIT, figure 4.1, using the spring clips on
the Circuits Experiment Board to hold the leads of the resistors together without bending them.
Measure the resistances of the combinations as indicated on the diagram by connecting the leads
of the Multimeter between the points at the ends of the arrows.

11
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Series

R1 R2 R3

R12=

➤
R12 ➤ R23=
➤
R23 ➤
R123=
➤
R123 ➤

Figure 4.1
➅ Construct a PARALLEL CIRCUIT, first using combinations of two of the resistors, and then
using all three. Measure and record your values for these circuits.

Parallel

➤ NOTE: Include also R13 R1

➆ Connect the COMBINATION

CIRCUIT below and measure
➤
R12 ➤ R12 =
the various combinations of
resistance. Do these follow R23 =
the rules as you discovered
them before? R2
R123 =

R3

Combination Figure 4.2

R2

R1
R1 =
R3

R23 =

R123 =
R1 ➤
➤ R2 3 ➤
R123 ➤
➤

Figure 4.3

⑧ Choose three resistors having different values. Repeat steps 1 through 7 as above, recording
your data in the spaces on the next page. Note we have called these resistors A, B and C.
12
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Colors Coded Measured %

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Resistance Resistance Tolerance
Error

Table 4.2

Series

RA RB RC

RAB =

➤ RAB ➤ RBC =
➤ RBC ➤
➤ RABC RABC=
➤

Figure 4.4

Parallel

RA

➤
RAB ➤ RAB =

RBC =
RB
RABC=

RC

Figure 4.5

➤ NOTE: Include also RAC

13
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Combination

RB

RA
RA =
RC

RBC =

RABC=
RA ➤
➤ RBC ➤
RABC ➤
➤

Figure 4.6

Discussion
➀ How does the % error compare to the coded tolerance for your resistors?
➁ What is the apparent rule for combining equal resistances in series circuits? In parallel
circuits? Cite evidence from your data to support your conclusions.
➂ What is the apparent rule for combining unequal resistances in series circuits? In parallel
circuits? Cite evidence from your data to support your conclusions.
➃ What is the apparent rule for the total resistance when resistors are added up in series? In
parallel? Cite evidence from your data to support your conclusions.

Extension
Using the same resistance values as you used before plus any wires needed to help build the
circuit, design and test the resistance values for another combination of three resistors. As
instructed, build circuits with four and five resistors, testing the basic concepts you discov-
ered in this lab.

Reference

Black 0
Brown 1 2nd Digit
Red 2 1st Digit No. of Zeros Fourth Band
Orange 3 Tolerance
Yellow 4 None ±20%
Green 5 Silver ±10%
Blue 6 Gold ±5%
Violet 7 Red ±2%
Gray 8
White 9
Figure 4.7

14
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 5: Voltages in Circuits

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Multimeter
-D-cell Battery -Resistors
-Wire Leads
Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to continue experimenting with the variables that contribute to the
operation of an electrical circuit. You should have completed Experiment 4 before working on
this lab.
Procedure
➀ Connect the three equal resistors that you used in Experiment 4 into the series circuit shown
below, using the springs to hold the leads of the resistors together without bending them. Con-
nect two wires to the D-cell, carefully noting which wire is connected to the negative and which
is connected to the positive.
➁ Now use the voltage function on the Multimeter to measure the voltages across the individual
resistors and then across the combinations of resistors. Be careful to observe the polarity of the
leads (red is +, black is -). Record your readings below.
Series
- +
- V1 +

R1 R2 R3
➤

- + - + - +

➤
V12 ➤
➤
V23 ➤
➤
V123 ➤

Figure 5.1

R1 = V1 =

R2 = V2 =

R3 = V3 =

R12 = V12 =

R23 = V23 =

R123= V123=

15
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

➂ Now connect the parallel circuit below, using all three resistors. Measure the voltage across
each of the resistors and the combination, taking care with the polarity as before.

➤NOTE: Keep all three resistors connected throughout the time you are making your
measurements. Write down your values as indicated below.

Parallel

- +

R1 = V1 =
R1
➤
➤

R2 = V2 =
V1
R2 R3 = V3 =

R123 = V123 =
R3

Figure 5.2

➃ Now connect the circuit below and measure the voltages. You can use the resistance read-
ings you took in Experiment 4 for this step.

Combination

- +

R1 = V1 =
R2
R1
R23 = V23 =
R3

R123 = V123 =

V1 V23
➤ ➤
➤ ➤
➤ V123 ➤

Figure 5.3

➄ Use the three unequal resistors that you used in Experiment 4 to construct the circuits shown
below. Make the same voltage measurements that you were asked to make before in steps 1
to 4. Use the same resistors for A, B and C that you used in Experiment 4.

16
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Series

- +
- VA +
RA RB RC

- + - + - +

➤
VAB ➤
➤
VBC ➤
➤ VABC ➤
Figure 5.4

RA = VA =

RB = VB =

RC = VC =

RAB = VAB =

RBC = VBC =

RABC= VABC=

Parallel

- +

RA = VA =
RA

RB = VB =
➤
➤

VA
RC = VC =
RB

RABC= VABC=

RC

Figure 5.5
17
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Combination

- +

RA = VA =
RB
RA RBC = VBC =
RC

RABC= VABC =

VA VBC
➤ ➤
➤ ➤
➤ VABC ➤

Figure 5.6

Discussion
On the basis of the data you recorded on the table with Figure 5.1, what is the pattern for how
voltage gets distributed in a series circuit with equal resistances? According to the data you
recorded with Figure 5.4, what is the pattern for how voltage gets distributed in a series
circuit with unequal resistances? Is there any relationship between the size of the resistance
and the size of the resulting voltage?
Utilizing the data from Figure 5.2, what is the pattern for how voltage distributes itself in a
parallel circuit for equal resistances? Based on the data from Figure 5.5, what is the pattern
for how voltage distributes itself in a parallel circuit for unequal resistances? Is there any
relationship between the size of the resistance and the size of the resulting voltage?
Do the voltages in your combination circuits (see Figures 5.3 and 5.6) follow the same rules
as they did in your circuits which were purely series or parallel? If not, state the rules you see
in operation.

18
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 6: Currents in Circuits

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Digital Multimeter
-Resistors -D-cell Battery
-Wire Leads.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to continue experimenting with the variables that contribute to the
operation of electrical circuits.

Procedure
➀ Connect the same three resistors that you used in Experiments 3 and 4 into the series circuit shown
below, using the springs to hold the leads of the resistors together without bending them. Connect
two wires to the D-cell, and carefully note which lead is negative and which is positive.

Series
+ -
➁ Now change the leads in your DMM so that
they can be used to measure current. You R1 R2 R3
should be using the scale which goes to a
+ - + - + -
maximum of 200 mA. Be careful to observe
the polarity of the leads (red is +, black is -). In
order to measure current, the circuit must be
interrupted, and the current allowed to flow Figure 6.1
through the meter. Disconnect the lead wire
from the positive terminal of the battery and
connect it to the red (+) lead of the meter. - + + -
I0
Connect the black (-) lead to R1, where the wire
originally was connected. Record your reading R1 R3
R2
in the table as Io. See Figure 6.2.
+ - + - + -
➂ Now move the DMM to the positions indicated
in Figure 6.3, each time interrupting the circuit,
and carefully measuring the current in each
Figure 6.2
one. Complete the table on the top of the back
page.

➤ NOTE: You will be carrying values from Experiments 3 and 4 into the table on the back.

19
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

- + + - - I +
I0 2

R1 R2 R3
+ - + -
I1 I3

Figure 6.3

R1 = I0 = V1 =

R2 = I1 = V2 =

R3 = I2 = V3 =

R12 = I3 = V12 =

R23 = V23 =

R123= V123=

➃ Connect the parallel circuit below, using all three resistors. Review the instructions for
connecting the DMM as an ammeter in step 2. Connect it first between the positive terminal
of the battery and the parallel circuit junction to measure I0. Then interrupt the various
branches of the parallel circuit and measure the individual branch currents. Record your
measurements in the table below.
Parallel
+ + -
-
R1 = I0 = V1 = I0 I4
- R1
+
R2 = I1 = V2 = + I1 -

R3 = I2 = V3 = R2
+ I2 -
R123 = I3 = V123 =
R3
+ I3 -
I4 =

Discussion Figure 6.4

On the basis of your first set of data, what is the pattern for how
current behaves in a series circuit? At this point you should be able to summarize the
behavior of all three quantities - resistance, voltage and current - in series circuits.
On the basis of your second set of data, are there any patterns to the way that currents behave
in a parallel circuit? At this time you should be able to write the general characteristics of
currents, voltages and resistances in parallel circuits.

20
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 7: Kirchhoff’s Rules

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Two D-cell Batteries
-Wire Leads -Digital Multimeter (DMM)
-Resistors.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to experimentally demonstrate Kirchhoff’s Rules for electrical
circuits.

Procedure
➀ Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7.1a using any of the resistors you have except the 10 Ω
one. Use Figure 7.1b as a reference along with 7.1a as you record your data. Record the
resistance values in the table below. With no current flowing (the battery disconnected), mea-
sure the total resistance of the circuit between points A and B.

C
R1 R2

A R1 C A B
R2 B R5

R3 R4
Wire R5 Wire D

R3 D R4
Figure 7.1a Figure 7.1b

➁ With the circuit connected to the battery and the current

flowing, measure the voltage across each of the resistors and record the values in the table below.
On the circuit diagram in Figure 7.1b, indicate which side of each of the resistors is positive
relative to the other end by placing a “+” at that end.
➂ Now measure the current through each of the resistors. Interrupt the circuit and place the DMM
in series to obtain your reading. Make sure you record each of the individual currents, as well as
the current flow into or out of the main part of the circuit, IT.

21
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Resistance, Ω Voltage, volts Current, mA

R1 V1 I1

R2 V2 I2

R3 V3 I3

R4 V4 I4

R5 V5 I5

RT VT IT

Table 7.1

Analysis
➀ Determine the net current flow into or out of each of the four “nodes” in the circuit.
➁ Determine the net voltage drop around at least three (3) of the six or so closed loops. Re-
member, if the potential goes up, treat the voltage drop as positive (+), while if the potential
goes down, treat it as negative (-).

Discussion
Use your experimental results to analyze the circuit you built in terms of Kirchhoff’s Rules.
Be specific and state the evidence for your conclusions.

Extension
Build the circuit below and apply the same procedure you used previously. Analyze it in
terms of Kirchhoff’s Rules. If possible, try to analyze the circuit ahead of time and compare
your measured values with the theoretically computed values.

R2

R4

R3
R1

V2
V1 R5

Figure 7.2

22
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 8: Capacitors in Circuits

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
– Vacuum Tube Voltmeter (VTVM) or Elec- – Circuits Experiment Board
trometer (ES-9054B) or Digital Multimeter – Capacitors, Resistors
(DMM) that has an input impedance of 10 MΩ – Wire Leads
or greater. – D-cell Battery
– Stopwatch or timer with 0.1 sec resolution.
Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to determine how capacitors behave in R-C circuits. The manner in
which capacitors combine will also be studied.
Procedure
➀ Connect the circuit shown in Figure 8.1, using a 100-K Ω resistor and a 100-µF capacitor. Use one
of the spring clips from the transistor socket as a “switch” as shown. Connect the VTVM so the
black “ground” lead is on the side of the capacitor that connects to the negative terminal of the
battery and set it so that it reads to a maximum of 1.5 V DC.
➁ Start with no voltage on the capacitor and
the wire from the “switch” to the circuit
disconnected. If there is a remaining
voltage on the capacitor, use a piece of “Switch”
wire to “short” the two leads together, ➤
draining any remaining charge. (Touch A Resistor B
the ends of the wire to points B and C as Capacitor
shown in Figure 1 to discharge the
capacitor.) C
➂ Now close the “switch” by touching the
wire to the spring clip. Observe the V
+ -
voltage readings on the VTVM, the
voltage across the capacitor. How would Figure 8.1
you describe the manner in which the
voltage changes?
➃ If you now open the “switch” by removing the wire from the spring clip, the capacitor should
remain at its present voltage with a very slow drop over time. This indicates that the charge you
placed on the capacitor has no way to move back to neutralize the excess charges on the two
plates.
➄ Connect a wire between points A and C in the circuit, allowing the charge to drain back through
the resistor. Observe the voltage readings on the VTVM as the charge flows back. How would
you describe the manner in which the voltage falls? (It would be reasonable to sketch a graph
showing the manner in which the voltage rose over time as well as the manner in which it fell over time.)
➅ Repeat steps 3-5 until you have a good feeling for the process of charging and discharging of a
capacitor through a resistance.
➆ Now repeat steps 3-5, this time recording the time taken to move from 0.0 volts to 0.95 volts while
charging, tC, and the time taken to move from 1.5 volts to 0.55 volts while discharging, tD. Record
your times along with the resistance and capacitance values in Table 8.1 at the top of the back page.

23
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Trial Resistance Capacitance tC tD

Table 8.1

⑧ Replace the 100-µF capacitor with a 330-µF capacitor. Repeat step 7, recording the charging and
discharging times in Table 8.1. If a third value is available, include it in the data table, too.
⑨ Return to the original 100-µF capacitor, but put a 220-K Ω resistor in the circuit. Repeat step 7,
recording your data in Table 8.1. If a third resistor is provided, use it in the circuit, recording the
data.

➤ NOTE:
➀ What is the effect on charging and discharging times if the capacitance is increased? What
mathematical relationship exists between your times and the capacitance?
➁ What is the effect on charging and discharging times if the resistance of the circuit is increased?
What mathematical relationship exists between your times and the resistance?

➉ Return to the original 100-K Ω resistor, but use the 100-µF capacitor in series with the 330-µF
capacitor. Repeat step 7, recording your results in Table 8.2.
11 Now repeat step 7, but with the 100-µF and the 330-µF capacitors in parallel.

R = __________ C1 = __________C2 = __________

Type of Circuit tC tD

Series

Parallel

Table 8.2

➤ NOTE: What is the effect on the total capacitance if capacitors are combined in series? What if
they are combined in parallel? (Refer to Table 8.2).

24
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 9: Diodes

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Digital Multimeter (DMM)
-Wire Leads -Two D-cell Batteries
-1000-Ω Resistor -1N4007 Diode
-330-Ω Resistor.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to experimentally determine some of the operating characteristics
of semiconductor diodes.

Procedure
➀ Connect the circuit shown in Figure 9.1a using the 1N4007 diode you’ve been supplied and the
1000-Ω resistor. Use Figure 9.1b as a reference along with Figure 9.1a as you record your data.
Note the direction that the diode is
oriented, with the dark band closer to
point B.
“Switch”
➁ With the “switch” closed and the current
flowing, adjust the potentiometer until
there is a voltage of 0.05 volt between
points B and C (VBC). Measure the
voltage across the diode (VAB). Record B C
A Diode
your values in the left-hand side of Table Resistor
9.1under “Forward Bias”.
➂ Adjust the potentiometer to attain the
following values for VBC: 0.1, 0.2,
0.3,.....2.0 volts. Record the two volt-
Figure 9.1a
ages for each case.
➃ Remove the 1000-Ω resistor and replace it with a 330-Ω
resistor. Repeat steps 3 & 4, going from a voltage of 0.3,
0.4,.....2.0 volts. Record the two voltages in each case.
➄ Reverse the orientation of the diode. Set the diode voltage A B
(VAB) to the values 0.5, 1.0,....3.0 volts. Measure the
resistor voltage (VBC) in each case. Record these values in 1N4007
the columns labeled “Reverse Bias”. C
Analysis R
➀ Determine the current flow (I) in each setting by dividing Figure 9.1b
the voltage across the resistor (VBC) by the resistance.
Where you switched resistors, be sure to change the divisor.
➁ Construct a graph of Current (vertical axis) vs the Voltage across the diode, with the graph
extending into the 2nd quadrant to encompass the negative voltages on the diode.

25
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Discussion
Discuss the shape of your graph and what it means for the operation of a semiconductor
diode. Did the diode operate the same in steps 3 and 4 as it did in step 5? In steps 3 and 4
the diode was “Forward Biased”, while it was “Reverse Biased” in step 5. Based on your
data, what do you think these terms mean? What use might we have for diodes?

Sample Data Table

Diode Type ____________

Forward Bias Reverse Bias

R, Ω VAB, volts VBC, volts I, mA R, Ω VAB, volts VBC, volts I, mA

Table 9.1

Extensions
➀ If your instructor has a zener diode, carry out the same investigations that you did above.
What differences are there in basic diodes and zener diodes?
➁ Use an LED (light emitting diode) to carry out the same investigations. What differences
are there between basic diodes and LED’s?

26
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Experiment 10: Transistors

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Circuits Experiment Board -Two D-cell Batteries
-Wire Leads -Digital Multimeter (DMM)
-1000-Ω Resistor -2N3904 Transistor (NPN)
-100-Ω Resistor.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab will be to experimentally determine some of the operating characteristics
of a transistor.
Procedure
➀ Connect the circuit shown in Figure 10.1a using the 2N3904 Transistor you’ve been supplied.
Resistor R1 = 1000 Ω and resistor R2 = 100 Ω. Use Figure 10.1b as a reference along with Figure
10.1a as you record your data. Note the leads on the transistor as marked next to the socket in the
drawing.

b Transistor as seen from

above
c e
2N3904
A Socket
R2

R1
C D
B
b R1 c
c e
D b
2N3904 C A B
R2 e

Figure 10.1a Figure 10.1b

➁ Adjust the potentiometer carefully until the reading between points A and B is approximately
0.002 volt (2.0 mv). Now read the voltage between points C and D. Record these readings in
your data table. Note that VAB divided by R1 gives the current flowing to the base of the transis-
tor, while VCD divided by R2 gives the current flowing in the collector part of the circuit.
➂ Adjust the potentiometer to give VAB the following readings, each time reading and recording the
corresponding VCD: 0.006, 0.010, 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.030, 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055,
0.060, 0.080, 0.100, 0.150, 0.200, 0.250 volts. Also set VAB to 0.000 volts.

27
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Analysis
➀ For each of your sets of readings, calculate:
IB = VAB / R1 and IC = VCD / R2
Record all of your current readings in mA.
➁ Plot a graph of IC (vertical axis) vs IB. If you find an area or areas where you need more
points to fill out any curves or sudden changes, simply return to step 2 and make the appro-
priate measurements.
➂ What is the general shape of the graph? Is there a straight-line region? Does it go through
the origin? Why or why not? Relate the behavior of the transistor at the beginning of the
graph to the behavior of the diode in Experiment 9.
➃ What does the leveling off of the graph indicate? Electronics people refer to the transistor as
being “saturated”. How would you describe saturation based on your experiment?
➄ Find the slope of the straight-line region of the graph. This ratio - I C / I B is referred to as
the current amplification of the transistor. It describes how many times greater changes in
the collector current are than the changes in the base current. Report the current amplifica-
tion of your transistor.

Discussion
Discuss the graph and the calculations you did in the Analysis section.

Sample Data Table

Transistor Type ____________

R1, Ω VAB, volts IB, mA R2, Ω VCD, volts IC, mA

Table 10.1

Extensions
➀ What effect would changing the resistance in the collector circuit (R2) make? Try changing
the value to 330 Ω or 560 Ω. Does the graph have the same shape? Is the current amplifica-
tion the same as before? How does the amplification depend on R2?
➁ Obtain a different transistor and repeat the measurements you made in steps 2 & 3. If it is a
PNP transistor, you will need to reverse the wires coming from the D-cells as the emitter
needs to be positive, not negative, and the collector will be negative.
28
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Appendix: Tips and Troubleshooting

Correct Circuit, Doesn’t Work The labs asking for relative brightness ask students to
judge relative brightness only, not an absolute brightness.
• Check to see if the circuit is indeed connected cor-
This part of the experiment would be aided by having the
rectly and completely.
room mostly darkened. Additional bulbs can be pur-
• Check to see if the battery is giving full voltage. chased from PASCO, at Radio Shack, an electronics
• Check to see if each wire is making contact with the store, at auto supplies stores, or possibly a local discount
spring. If magnet wire is used, the enamel coating store.
on the outside will prevent electrical connection and Batteries
needs to be removed. In some cases, students may
try to make a complete circuit through the insulation. The Circuits Experiment Board is designed to use one or
two D-cells. The voltage delivered by a D-cell is 1.5
Surprising Results volts ±. In practice, alkaline cells give the longest life,
but the less expensive zinc-carbon cells will give ad-
In some cases, there will be no difference in the measure-
equate results. A single set of batteries was used success-
ments from one point in the circuit to another. This
fully by ten different classes to complete labs 1,3,4,5, 6
doesn’t mean the measurement is trivial or unimportant,
and 7 before being replaced.
rather it is what we hope the student will learn from his/
her lab work. Not all measurements have to be different. Resistors
Making a “switch” The resistors supplied are listed under Materials on page
1 of this manual. The values have been chosen for clear
In the several labs, students are asked to use a “vacant” results and for helping to extend the life of the D-cells. If
spring connection such as one of the three around the resistors are lost or broken, replacements can be pur-
transistor socket as shown on the right as a “switch.” By chased from PASCO, or at any electronics store, includ-
connecting one lead from the battery there and then ing Radio Shack. Other values can be substituted, but for
taking a third wire to the circuit, you can effectively Experiments 3 through 7, the values should be between
switch the power “on” and “off” by simply connecting or 100 Ω and 1500 Ω for best results.
not connecting the third wire. This duplicates the action
in a real switch. ➤NOTE: Using the 330 Ω, 560 Ω and 1000 Ω
resistors gives approximate ratios of 1:2:3 for
working towards semi-quantitative understanding
of d.c. circuits.
➤

The diagram below shows the resistor color code. For

example, a resistor having the colors Orange-Orange-
Can be
Brown-Silver has the value 330 Ω ± 10%.
removed
“Switch”
Black 0
Figure 2 Brown 1 2nd Digit
Red 2 No. of Zeros Fourth Band
1st Digit
Orange 3 Tolerance None ±20%
Lights and Relative Brightness Yellow 4
Silver ±10%
Green 5
Blue 6 Gold ±5%
The lights for this experiment board, #14 bulbs, are Violet 7 Red ±2%
designed for 2.5 volts and 0.3 amperes. A single D-cell Gray 8
will not light a bulb to maximum brightness, but two cells White 9
in series will give a very bright light. Figure 3

29
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Wires Pulling the wire away from the stripper (Figure 3c) causes
the cut end of the insulation to slip off of the wire, leaving
The Circuits Experiment Board can be used with a large
3/8" of exposed wire.
variety of wire types and sizes. We recommend 20 or 22
gauge solid wire with colorful insulation. This will help
students to follow their work more easily and minimize Pull wire
➤
difficulties in making the transition from paper circuit to
actual circuit on the Circuits Experiment Board.

Stripping Your Own Wire

The wire included with the Basic Electricity Lab is 22
gauge insulated, solid wire in 5" and 10" lengths. The Figure 3c
lengths are stripped at each end.
If you do not have access to a wire stripper, the wire may
If you choose to strip your own additional wires, a also be stripped by carefully using a knife. Place the wire
commercially available wire stripper can be used to on a solid surface. Set the knife blade on the insulation
remove the insulation from each end. The jaws of the about 3/8" from the end. With the blade at an angle so it
wire stripper are placed on the wire 3/8" from the end. cannot cut downward into the wire, use the knife to shave
By squeezing the handles together, the jaws will close on off the insulation.
the wire and cut only as deep as the insulation.

3/8"
➤
➤

Figure 4

After one part of the insulation is removed, turn the wire

and continue shaving off the rest of the insulation.

Figure 3a
Squeeze ➤
handles ➤

Figure 3b

30
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Replacement Parts List

Item PASCO Part #

P.C.B. ASSY, BASIC ELECT 004-04340
MANUAL EM-8622 012-04367
RES, 10 OHM, 1W, 5% 111-100
RES, 100 OHM, 1/2W, 5% 112-101
RES, 1K, 1/2W, 5% 112-102
RES, 100K, 1/2W, 5% 112-104
RES, 220K, 1/2W, 5% 112-224
RES, 330 OHM, 1/2W, 5% 112-331
RES, 560 OHM, 1/2W, 5% 112-561
CAP, ELECT-100mF, 16V AXIAL 222-039
CAP, ELECT 330MF, 16V AXIAL 222-040
DIODE-1N4007, 1000PIV, 1A 410-002
TRANSISTOR-2N3904 NPN 420-002

➤NOTE: Replacement parts can be purchased

from PASCO or at most electronic stores including
Radio Shack.

31
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Notes

32
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Teacher's Guide

Exp 1 - Circuits Experiment Board

➀ With this method, the lights will each be approximately

the same brightness as in part 1.
Serial:
➁ Reversing things at either end had no effect.
➃➄ There are two different ways of putting two
lamps into the circuit: parallel and serial.
Parallel:
Using this circuit, the lights will be dimmer than in part 1.

Exp 2 - Lights in Circuits

➃➄ Again, the circuit may be series or parallel.

➤NOTE: It is best to do these experiments with both
batteries, rather than just one. Connect them in series, as Series Parallel
shown in figure 2.1a. This will make the lights brighter
and easier to see when some of the dimmer circuits are
built.

Procedure These circuits have the same characteristics as the ones in part
2-3
➀
➅ There are two ways of doing this as well.
Parallel-in-Series Series-in-Parallel
➁➂ There are two ways of making the circuit so that both a b a b
lights are on with the same intensity.
Series c c

(The parallel portion of the first circuit will be very dim.)

What happens if you unscrew one of the bulbs depends on
The lights will be dimmer than in part 1. The electric current which bulb you unscrew. In the first circuit, unscrewing (a) will
must go through one bulb to reach the other, so disconnecting a turn everything off. Unscrewing (b) or (c) will make (a) dimmer
bulb will cause both to go out. (This is how those maddening and leave the other one unaffected. In the second circuit,
“if-one-goes-out-they-all-die-so-Merry-Christmas” lights are unscrewing (c) will make (a) and (b) brighter; while unscrewing
wired.) (a) or (b) will make (c) brighter and turn the other one off.
Parallel ➆-➉ Putting the batteries in series (2.1a) will make things
the brightest, because then the voltage to the lights is the
highest. Batteries in parallel (2.1b) will have the same effect
as one battery. Batteries opposed (2.1c) will have no effect
The lights will show the same intensity as in part 1. The electric at all unless one of the batteries is nearly dead.
current is going through both bulbs at the same time, so 11 The potentiometer, when used this way, adjusts the bright-
disconnecting one does not affect the other. (This is how the ness of the lamp. (For best results, use the batteries in series
Christmas lights you wish you had bought are wired.) for this part of the lab.)

33
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Exp 3- Ohm's Law

Procedure
0.16
➁-➅)Warn the students to be particularly careful when
setting up the multimeter to measure current. Attach- 0.14 J

ing an ammeter the wrong way can damage the meter. 0.12
0.1

Current
Data Processing
0.08
Resistance Current Voltage V/R % difference
0.06
100 0.02 1.579 0.02 -1.87%
0.04
560 0.00 1.582 0.00 -2.73%
0.02 J
330 0.00 1.582 0.00 -3.32% J
0 J J
1000 0.00 1.583 0.00 -9.17% 0 200 400 600 800 1000
10 0.14 1.549 0.15 -13.31% Resistance
Discussion
➀ Current is inversely proportional to R ➂) The greatest source of error is caused by the meter it-
self. Because the ammeter has some internal resis-
➁ Yes. A curve fit of the graph above gives Current = tance, the measured current is less than the current
1.36 x Resistance-0.98, which is quite close to the theo- when the meter is not there.
retical equation.

Exp 4- Resistances in Circuits

Procedure
➀-➃
Colors coded measured % error tolerance
#1 brown-black-brown-gold 100 98.9 -1.10% ±0.05%
#2 brown-black-brown-gold 100 99.6 -0.40% ±0.05%
#3 brown-black-brown-gold 100 99.7 -0.30% ±0.05%

➄ Series ⑧ Series
R12 = 198.3Ω RAB = 428Ω
R23 = 199.1Ω
RBC = 891Ω
R123 = 298Ω
RABC = 989Ω
➅ Parallel
Parallel
R12 = 49.7Ω RAB = 76.1Ω
R23 = 49.9Ω RBC = 207Ω
R123 = 33.3Ω RABC = 67.0Ω
R13 = 49.8Ω RAC = 84.1Ω
➆ Combination Combination
R1 = 98.9Ω RA = 98.9Ω
R23 = 49.9Ω RBC = 207Ω
R123 = 148.7Ω RABC = 306Ω
34
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Colors coded measured % error tolerance

A brown-black-brown-gold 100 98.9 -1.10% ±0.05%
B orange-orange-brown-gold 330 330 0.00% ±0.05%
C green-blue-brown-gold 560 561 0.18% ±0.05%

Discussion ➁-➃ In series, the resistances are added.

R = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...In parallel, the reciprocals of the
➀ The actual value matches the coded value much more resistances are added. 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +...
closely than required by the tolerances. This is evidenced in all the data sets above.

Exp 5- Voltages in Circuits

Procedure Parallel
measurement Resistance Voltage
Equal Resistors:
A 67.49 1.574
Series
B 67.49 1.574
measurement Resistance Voltage C 67.49 1.574
1 100 0.523 ABC 67.49 1.574
2 100 0.528 Combination
3 100 0.527 measurement Resistance Voltage
12 200 1.051 A 100.00 0.509
23 200 1.055 BC 207.64 1.07
123 300 1.578 ABC 307.64 1.579
Parallel Discussion
measurement Resistance Voltage 1.6 J

1 33.33 1.565 1.4 J

2 33.33 1.565
1.2
3 33.33 1.565
123 33.33 1.565 1
Voltage

J
Combination 0.8
J
measurement Resistance Voltage 0.6
J
1 100 1.049 0.4
23 50 0.529
0.2
123 150 1.578 J

0
Different Resistors: 0 200 400 600 800 1000
Series Resistance

measurement Resistance Voltage In any series circuit, the voltage is distributed according
A 100 0.157 to the size of the resistors. (Notice that the graph above,
B 330 0.526 of the data from the second series circuit, shows this
C 560 0.897 direct relationship.)
AB 430 0.685 In any parallel circuit, the voltage is the same across all
BC 890 1.423 elements.
ABC 990 1.581 In the combination circuit, the voltage acts as if the
parallel resistors were actually one resistor, which is then
in series with the first. The rules are the same.
35
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Exp 6- Currents in Circuits

➤NOTE: The resistors used were: Discussion

R1 = 100Ω In any resistance circuit—series, parallel, or both—the
voltage, current, and resistance are related by Ohm’s
R2 = 330Ω
Law:
R3 = 560Ω
V = IR
These are the same resistors as were used in the
previous lab, and some of the data here originates in This pattern, and conclusion, should be apparent in
lab 5. student data.

Procedure ➤NOTE: The product of the resistances and

currents obtained experimentally will generally be
Series: lower than the measured voltage. This is due to the
The current was the same—1.5 mA—no matter where it non-zero resistance of the ammeter. When the
was measured in the circuit. meter is in the circuit, its own resistance lessens the
current through that circuit. With most meters, this
Parallel:
error should be less than 5% or so.
Measurement Resistance Current Voltage
1 100 0.0156 1.574
2 330 0.0047 1.574
3 560 0.0028 1.574
123 67.5 0.0229 1.574

Exp 7- Kirchoff's Rules

Procedure Second circuit:

First circuit:
+ 2 + 4
+
1 2 b2
1 3
+ + + +
5
+
+ b1 5
3 4
+
R (Ω) V (V) I (mA)
1 100 0.27 2.6
2 560 1.50 2.6
R (Ω) V (V) I (mA) 3 330 0.19 0.5
1 100 0.40 3.9 4 330 1.07 3.2
2 560 1.17 2.0 5 100 0.32 3.2
3 330 1.05 3.1 b1 1.573 2.6
4 100 0.52 5.1 b2 1.588 3.2
5 330 0.65 1.9
T 216 1.57 7.1
36
012-04367E Basic Electricity

Analysis Second circuit:

First circuit: ➀ node (2,3,4): -0.1 mA
➀ node (1,3): 0.1 mA node (b1,3,5): 0.1 mA
node (1,2,5): 0.0 mA ➁ loop (b1,1,2,3) 0.001 V
node (3,4,5): -0.1 mA loop (b2,5,3,4) 0.001 V
node (2,4): 0.0 mA loop (b1,1,2,4,b2,5) 0.002 V
➁ loop (1,5,3): 0.001 V
Discussion
loop (1,2,4,3): 0.001 V
Within the experimental uncertainty of the measuring
loop (5,2,4): 0.000 V device used (a DMM) Kirchoff’s Rules are verified. The
net current flowing into or out of any junction is approxi-
loop (batt,1,2): 0.001 V
mately zero, and the sum of the voltages around any loop
loop (batt,3,4): 0.000 V is approximately zero.
loop (batt,1,5,4): 0.001 V
loop (batt,3,5,2): 0.000 V

Exp 8- Capacitors in Circuits

Procedure ➆ -11
➃ The rate at which the capacitor loses its charge de-
140
pends on the impedance of the meter used to measure
1 100,000 Ohm Z
the voltage, as well as on the size of the capacitor. For 120
this reason, most analog meters are not sufficient for Z 220,000 Ohm
100 Z
this lab.
Time (s)

80
➄
60 1
1
Charging 40
Voltage

Z
20 Z
1 1

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Time Capacitance (µF)
Voltage

➤NOTES:
Discharging
➀➁ Charging: t = - R C ln(1-V/Vo)
Discharging: t = - R C ln(V/Vo)
Time In either case, the time is linearly dependent on
both resistance and capacitance.
➂ Parallel: Cp = C1 + C2
Series: 1/Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2

37
Basic Electricity 012-04367E

Exp 9- Diodes

Analysis The diode acts as a one-way valve for electricity. Current

can flow in one direction, but not in the other.
0.007
Extensions
0.006 J 4007
J

J
➀ A zener diode would be similar to the 4007, except
0.005 O LED
J
that there would be a breakdown point on the reverse
0.004
O
biasing, beyond which the current would flow. This
Current

J O
makes them useful for power regulation.
0.003 J O

➁) The LED opens up at a higher voltage than the 4007

J O
J O
J O
0.002 J

J
J
J O
O
(and it lights up).
J O
0.001 J
J
J
O
J
J O
J
J
J O
JJ OO
0 J
O J
O J
O J
O J
O J
O O JJJO O O OO

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Diode Voltage

Exp 10- Transistors

Analysis Discussion
➁ ➀ This graph shows the results of applying different val-
ues for R2. The amplification remains the same in
2N3904 Transistor each linear region, but the size of that linear region
100 Ohm load
16 changes.
14
X X
X XX XX XX XX X
XX X
12 XX
XX 2N3904 Transistor
Collector Current (mA)

X
X various loads
10 X 50
X
8 X
Ñ 10 Ohm load Ñ
Ñ
6 X Ç 47 Ohm load Ñ
Ñ
Ñ
X 40 Ñ
Ñ

4 Ö 100 Ohm load Ñ

Ñ
X Ñ
Ñ
Ñ
560 Ohm load
Collector Current (mA)

X á Ñ
2 ÑÑ
Ñ
X Ñ
X 30 Ñ
0 X
Ñ
Ñ
Ç
Ç Ç
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 Ñ Ç
Ç
Ñ Ç
Ç
Base Current (mA) Ñ Ç
Ç
Ñ Ç
20 Ñ
Ç
Ç

➂ The linear region does not include the origin, due to

Ç
ÇÑ
ÇÑ
Ç

the non-zero voltage that the junctions within the tran- Ç

Ñ
ÇÑ Ö Ö Ö Ö
ÑÖ
ÖÖ ÖÖ ÖÖ
ÖÖ ÖÖ ÖÖ Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö

10 ÇÑÖ
sistor require to turn on. (Similar to the effect in lab 9) ÇÖ
Ñ
ÇÖ
Ö

➃ Beyond the “saturation point”, the transistor is acting

Ö
Ç
Ñ
ÇÖ
Ñ
Ö
ÑÇ á á á á á á á á á
Ö á áá á á á á á á á
Çáá
like a short circuit. It offers no resistance to the cur- 0 Ö
Ç
Ö
Ñ
ÖáÑ
Çá
Ñá

rent; so beyond that point, there is no amplification. 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
Base Current (mA)
The current is limited only by the battery and resistor.
➄ The current amplification of the transistor tested was
249. This value will vary from transistor to transistor; ➁ The gain and/or saturation characteristics of the tran-
it’s usually between 150 and 250 for the 2N3904 tran- sistor will vary, although the basic shape of the graph
sistors supplied with the lab. will remain the same.
38
012-04367E Basic Electricity

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39