LAB 13 PARALLEL CIRCUITS 5°/,, None: \V\ysns Ole Date “wo or more electrical devices (such as lightbulbs) in [Foe a circuit can be connected by series connections or by parallel connections. In Lab 138, you connected the bulbs in series. Ina parallel circuit, each device is placed in its own separate branch, This means that there are multiple pathways by which charges can traverse the external circuit. Each charge passing through the loop of the external circuit will pass through a single resistor (or light bulb) present in a single branch. When arriving at the branching location or node, a charge makes a choice as to which branch to travel through on its journey back to the low potential (negative) terminal Of Sunt Look at the diagram belo: ge leaving the battery could travel through how many different pathways (orl oe) 1 2 300r 4 ¥ Bucruc RU ipo 1, Build a circuit with one battery, a switch, and three bulbs as shown in the diagram above. 2. Measure the voltage across the battery. Record this as the voltage of the Total Circuit. All three bulbs should be lit, 3. Measure the voltage (DC 20 Volts) across each bulb. 4. Set the meter to DC (10) amps, Measure the total current in the circuit by opening the switch and touching the leads of the meter to the terminals of the switch. Cee Oe Ea Be og Tie Current (A) Thinking about what you observed 5. Compare the brightness of the bulb in parallel with the brightness of the bulbs in series. --f you don't remember from lab 138, a series circuit is available at the front desk to compare) [br OWlucs Cas her J6. Compare the total current in the 1-bulb circuit, the 3-bulb series circuit, and the 3-bulb parallel circuit. Propose a relationship between the current and the brightness of the bulbs, flere Clechie SMW GN nee lus ioterset F CHL. paceeted 7. Remove one bulb from the 3-bulb parallel circuit by unscrewing it from its socket. What happens to the remaining bulbs? [ Oey Hoo Stay [ip | 8. Explain your observations from Question #7. How does the parallel circuit differ from what happened in the series circuit? Vare gs fy 9. Do you think electrical outlets in your home are connected in a series or parallel circuit? Give reasons why one type of circuit has an advantage over the other for connecting outlets. Po Pore pecs e tt aC Wh See ng Out Some St) ry ne 10. Challenge Problem: Let's clarify your understanding of a Parallel Circuit. A. Predict what the voltage at the light bulb will be: , € hy B, Test your hypothesis, set up the following circuit: (Notice, 2 batteries are in parallel) the voltage at the bulb? | L(y C. Set your meter to DC 20 Volts, what Is it as you expected? D. Explain why two batteries in parallel produce the voltage you just measured, Hint: Look closely at the batteries in the | O2/c ouriiny circuit diagram, ar a