Report for Experiment #17
DC Circuits
Maia Li
Lab Partner: Danielle Pucciarelli
TA: Maksim Piskunov
May 24, 2017Introduction
Our goal in performing this experiment was to develop a better understanding of circuits,
...
Report for Experiment #17
DC Circuits
Maia Li
Lab Partner: Danielle Pucciarelli
TA: Maksim Piskunov
May 24, 2017Introduction
Our goal in performing this experiment was to develop a better understanding of circuits, particularly
the relationship between circuit elements and their configurations. We were able to wire circuits based off
of diagrams and use a digital multimeter to measure voltage and current. We also were able to see how
Kirchhoff’s Rules actually applied, through our data. We were able to find the equivalent resistance of our
set up, whether it be in parallel or series, and compare that to our calculated value. In the first
investigation, we measured and recorded the voltage of two batteries placed in series and then in parallel.
In the second investigation, we added a resistor, and then measured and recorded the voltage and current
across the resistor and the battery; using those values, we were able to calculate the internal resistance of
the battery. Lastly, in Investigation 3, we compared two 2-resistor setups: one in series and one in parallel.
We measured the equivalent resistance of both set ups, and compared those to the theoretical values we
calculated.
Investigation 1
Set up & Procedure:
For this investigation, we used two 1.5 V batteries in battery holders, wires and alligator clips, and a
digital multimeter on the voltmeter setting. First, we measured the voltage across a one of the batteries by
connecting the positive end of the battery to the voltmeter’s V input, and the negative terminal to the
voltmeter’s COMM input. After recording this value, we switched the positive and negative terminal
connections, expecting a reading of negative the original. We repeated these steps with the second battery.
Next, we connected the two batteries together in series, and measured and recorded the total voltage there.
Lastly, we rearranged the two batteries into parallel, and measured and recorded the total voltage there as
well
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