Activity 1.2.
3 Electrical Circuits – Simulation
Introduction
Since the late 1800s, engineers have designed systems to utilize electrical energy due to its
ability to be converted, stored, transmitted, and reconverted efficiently into other forms of
energy. In the 21st century, electrical energy production, distribution, and application have
become consumer driven. Today’s consumer utilizes electrical energy in all aspects of life, from
cell phones and computers to refrigeration and heating and cooling systems, and even
transportation. Electrical energy, depending on geographic location, is converted from
mechanical energy, chemical energy, light energy, and thermo energy before it reaches the
consumer.
Regardless of the conversion process, electrical energy consists of three basic components:
current, voltage, and resistance. Current is the net transfer of electric charge per unit of time.
Voltage is the amount of work required to move a charge from one point to another. Resistance
is the opposition to the flow of current. Understanding the relationship between current, voltage,
and resistance allows engineers to design efficient, safe, and functional electrical circuits.
Electrical circuits consist of the following components: an energy source to provide voltage,
conductors to allow current travel, insulators to limit current travel, and a load. Electrical circuits
provide an uninterrupted path for current travel and are broken into two distinct categories of
design: series circuits and parallel circuits.
Equipment
· Engineering notebook
· Calculator
· PC with Internet (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc)
· Simulation courtesy of:
o PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado
http://phet.colorado.edu.
Procedure
This activity will provide you with an introduction to voltage, current, resistance, series circuits,
parallel circuits, and Ohm’s Law. Your team will construct circuits using an online electricity
simulator. You will use a virtual multimeter to measure properties within the circuit.
Introduction to Electric Circuits
Electric Circuit Schematics
Schematics are diagrams consisting of symbol representations and configurations of electrical
components within a circuit. The table below illustrates circuit symbols to be used within
schematics throughout this lab.
Practice Calculations
Draw the circuit schematic.
Identify the known and unknown values for each circuit.
Provide the appropriate unit for each measurement.
Show all steps for each calculation.
1. On a camping trip, you decide to use a cordless air pump to inflate an inflatable mattress. If
the air pump is powered by a 9 volt battery with a resistance of 18 ohms, what is the amount of
current flowing through the circuit?
Circuit Schematic Calculations
Current =
9v/18 Ohms
Current = 0.50
Ampere
2. A DJ uses a 110 volt outlet to plug in a strobe light. If the current flowing through the light is
0.050 amps, how much resistance is within the circuit?
Circuit Schematic Calculations
A =v/c
0.050 = 110/x
Resistance = 5.5 Ohms
3. You finally found the MP3 player that you have wanted for months. While you are waiting in
the check-out line, you read the back of the packaging. The manufacturer has guaranteed that
the player will perform consistently with a resistance of 40 ohms and a current of 0.1 amps.
What is the voltage for the MP3 player?
Circuit Schematic Calculations
0.1
= x/40
Voltage = 4volts
Constructing Circuits
Your team will construct a series and parallel circuit using the steps provided below.
Creating a Circuit
1. Launch Circuit Construction Kit from University of Colorado at Boulder:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc
2. Drag a battery from the circuit palate on the right. R-click on the battery and set the voltage
to 9 volts.
3. Construct the circuit displayed below using the default bulb and a switch in the open
position. Note that your circuit will not look like the image below. You are to interpret the
schematic diagram to create a circuit. Check the voltage across the light bulb. Record the
measurements in the space provided below.
NOTE: When measuring voltage getting a positive or negative value is dependent upon polarity
or direction of flow. In other words, the 4.5V and -4.5V could be taken from the same source
depending on placement of the leads.
Voltage across bulb 0 V
4. Close the switch so the bulb remains on. Obtain the voltage measurements across the bulb
and the power supply. Record the measurements in the space provided below.
Bulb 9 V Power supply 9 V
5. Check the current through the light bulb by adding an ammeter. Record the measurements
in the space provided below.
Current 0.9 A
6. Use the voltage (V) and current that you have already determined for this circuit
current (I) to determine the resistance of the bulb. Show your work and include units.
Formula: a=v/Ohms
Substitute values:0.9=9/x
Solve: 0.9=9/10
Resistance = 10 Ω
Creating a Series Circuit
7. Use the image below to create a series circuit.
Current 0 A Voltage across battery 0 V
Voltage across bulb #1 0 V Voltage across bulb #2 0 V
8. Close the switch. Record the new readings for the circuit.
Current 0.11 A Voltage across battery 9 V
Voltage across bulb #1 1.06 V Voltage across bulb #2 7.94 V
Add an ammeter between the bulbs and record the current.
Current between bulbs 0.99 A
9. Use the voltage (V) and current that you have already determined for this series circuit
current (I) to determine the resistance of the bulbs in series. Show your work and include units.
Formula: a=v/c
Substitute values: 0.11 =9/x 0.11 = 7.94 / x 0.11 = 1.06 / x
Solve:
bulb#1 I = 0.8734
bulb#2 I = 0.1166
Resistance = 0.99 Ω
Creating a Parallel Circuit
1. Create the circuit shown below with the switch open. Confirm that: bulb 1 is on and bulb 2 is
off.
Close the switch and record the following data.
What happened to brightness of the 1st bulb? No change
Which bulb is brighter? The first light bulb
Current at bulb #1 0.9 A
Current at bulb #2 0.12A
Current total 2.04 A
2. Add a voltmeter to the circuit. Record the voltages across each light and the output source
in the space provided below.
Bulb #1 9 V Bulb #2 9V
Output at the battery 9 V
3. Calculate total resistance for the circuit (show all work):
Formula: a = v/c
Substitute and solve: 2.04 =9/x
RT 18.36Ω
Creating a Combination Circuit
4. Create the circuit shown below. The bulb #1 should still be on, the current meter should have
the same measurement as in step 8, and the bulb #2 and #3 should be off. Close the switch
button and note what happens to the first light. Refer to the image below and record the new
current measurement in the space provided below the image.
Voltage across battery 9V
Voltage across bulb #1 9V Voltage across bulb #2 1.06V
Voltage across bulb #3 7.94 V
Current at bulb #1 0.9 A
Current at bulb #2 and #3 0.11 A
Total current 2.02A
Conclusion
1. Explain the primary difference between a series and a parallel circuit.
In a series circuit, when the circuit is open, the current is shut off. But with a parallel circuit, the
current can pass through wires that are connected
2. Explain the difference between the voltage output at the battery and the voltage across each
bulb in the series circuit.
For a series circuit, the current of energy is uniform throughout the system
3. In a series circuit, explain the relationship between the current at the battery and each bulb
in the circuit.
Throughout the circuit, the voltage and power will stay the same.
4. Explain the relationship between voltage at the battery and voltage across each bulb in a
parallel circuit.
Since there are many ways the voltage moves in the circuit, the power of the voltage will
decrease.
5. Explain the relationship between current at the battery and current through each bulb in the
parallel circuit.
In a parallel circuit, the power should be uniform throughout the circuit, but once the voltage
passes through the bulb, the power should decrease.
6. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the voltage output at the
interface and the voltage across the two light bulbs.
2 of the bulbs have the same voltage. Bulb 3 has the most resistance since it is last. Any
voltage left goes to bulb 2
7. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the current output at the
battery and the current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.
Since there is more resistance when the current passes through bulb 2 and bulb 3, there is less
current that will go through.
