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Lab 5 - Current in Circuits

This document outlines a laboratory exercise focused on creating and testing electrical circuits using basic components like batteries, bulbs, and wires. It includes instructions for making a bulb light, predicting outcomes when disconnecting circuit points, and examining various circuit components such as sockets and switches. The lab also involves a simulation to explore current flow and the effects of battery direction on circuit functionality.

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alester
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

Lab 5 - Current in Circuits

This document outlines a laboratory exercise focused on creating and testing electrical circuits using basic components like batteries, bulbs, and wires. It includes instructions for making a bulb light, predicting outcomes when disconnecting circuit points, and examining various circuit components such as sockets and switches. The lab also involves a simulation to explore current flow and the effects of battery direction on circuit functionality.

Uploaded by

alester
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name _________________________ Electricity & Magne2sm

Lab 5: Current in Circuits


Part A – Make a Bulb Light
Using only the following equipment, try to make the bulb light:
• One cell (baBery – with no holder)
• One bulb (no socket)
• One wire
There is more than one configura2on that will be successful. You need to have at least two.

Successful aBempts (at least two): Unsuccessful aBempts (at least two):

1. What are the essen2al components and configura2ons to make a bulb light?

2. Using a highlighter or colored pencil, trace a closed loop path around each successful
configura2on in your diagrams above.
Part B – Tes:ng Connec:on Points in a Circuit
Before beginning this ac2vity, make a predic2on about what you think will happen if you disconnect
the wires at various points in the circuit shown.

Predict:

Bulb 1 Bulb 2
Point
Lit/Unlit Lit/Unlit
A

Now, obtain the materials and test your predic2on by gently unclipping the circuit at each of the
indicated points. Record your observa2ons below.

Observe:

Bulb 1 Bulb 2
Point
Lit/Unlit Lit/Unlit
A

Explain
3. In what way(s) do your observa2ons in this experiment agree or disagree with your conclusion in
part A about the necessary configura2ons to make a bulb light?
Part C – Looking at Circuit Components
4. Now, take a bulb out of the socket. Examine the conduc2ng (metal) parts of the socket to see how
it is designed to create a closed conduc2ng path through the filament of the bulb. Draw a picture
of the socket with a bulb in it, and use a highlighter or colored pencil to show the closed
conduc2ng path:

If you have more than one type of


socket, look at the other type.
Although it may look different, no2ce
how it creates the same connec2ons
to create a closed conduc2ng path
through the filament of the bulb.

5. Now, take the baBeries out of the baBery holder and look at the conduc2ng parts to see how the
closed conduc2ng path goes through the baBeries. Draw a picture of the baBery holder here (with
baBeries in it), and use a highlighter or colored pencil to show the closed conduc2ng path:

6. Obtain a switch from your teacher. Look at the switch to see how the closed conduc2ng path
connects. Briefly, describe how a switch works:

7. Obtain a flashlight from your teacher. Do not put baBeries in it. Open the baBery compartment
and look to see how the connec2ons are made to create a closed conduc2ng path that includes
the baBery. Draw a picture here of the flashlight, making it clear where the metal connec2ons are.
Use a highlighter or colored pencil to show the closed conduc2ng path:
Before star:ng Part D, please disassemble your circuit and put all components in the box provided.

Part D – Simula:on
Using a computer, navigate to the simula2on by searching for “PhET Circuit,” then clicking on “Intro”
Build a circuit with three baBeries and two bulbs as shown:

Make a predic:on! Which wire do you think


carries the most electricity?
(Note: The black end is nega4ve and the bronze
end is posi4ve)

8. The “Ammeter” tests how much electricity flows in each wire, also called current. Use the
ammeter to determine how much charge flows in each sec2on of wire: A, B, and C. Describe your
findings here:

9. What about the direc2on? Look at the moving charges – what determines the direc2on of
charge movement?

10. Try disconnec2ng and reconnec2ng your circuit. No2ce that both of the bulbs light instantly.
WHY DO TWO BULBS IN A CIRCUIT LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME?

11. What happens if you switch the direc2on of the baBeries? (Note: If you click on the baBeries, a
small yellow icon comes up that allows you to switch direc2on)

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