Series Circuits - Current

In this lesson you will investigate the current and voltage in series circuits. You will
measure these using an ammeter and a voltmeter. To do this you will need to set up a
series circuit. Start by constructing this circuit:

Next, you will need to measure the current in different places in the circuit. To do this,
you need to place the ammeter in the circuit at each of the places shown on this
diagram (once before the bulb, once after). Record the readings on your ammeter.

A1 = ________ Amps
A2 = ________ Amps

Now investigate the different when you add second bulb to the circuit. You will need to
use your ammeter in three different places this time.

A1 = ________ Amps
A2 = ________ Amps
A3 = ________ Amps
What have you found out about the current in a series circuit?

What has happened to the current in the circuit with the added bulb?

What will happen to the current if we add another cell to the circuit?

Series Circuits - Voltage

Now you will look at voltage. Voltage is the measure of potential difference. It tells us
how much push is left in a circuit at any point. To measure this, we find the difference
in push between two parts of a circuit using a voltmeter. Because the voltmeter
compares the push in two different places, it must be placed in parallel across the
circuit it does not form part of the circuit itself. This diagram shows how a voltmeter
can be connected across a single bulb in a circuit:

Next, you will need to measure the voltage in different places in the circuit. To do this,
you need to place the voltmeter in the circuit at each of the places shown on this
diagram (once before the bulb, once after). Record the readings on your voltmeter.

V1 = ________ Volts
V2 = ________ Volts
V3 = ________ Volts

What have you found out about the voltage in a series circuit?