Thursday, October 18

Using the Circuit Construction Kit (found under Helpful Links), build a one battery + one light bulb series circuit. Use the Voltmeter and Non-Contact Ammeter to measure the voltage drop across the bulb, and the current in the circuit. You will continue to add batteries and take readings until you can complete the following chart:

**NOTE: DO NOT FILL OUT THE RESISTANCE COLUMN**

Table 1. Comparing Voltage, Current and Resistance with Various Numbers of Batteries and Low Resistance Wires

Number of Batteries	Voltage Drop Across Bulb	Current	Resistance (Ω)
1	9.00 V	0.90 A
2
3
4
5
6

Then, start over (one bulb, one battery). Using the voltmeter, adjust the wire resistivity (found in the 'Advanced' panel) until your voltmeter reads 5.50 V (or as close as you can get it). Then repeat the process from above and fill out this chart:

Table 2. Comparing Voltage, Current and Resistance with Various Numbers of Batteries and High Resistance Wires

Number of Batteries	Voltage Drop Across Bulb	Current	Resistance (Ω)
1	5.50 V	0.50 A
2
3
4
5
6

Finally, you will make two graphs. Your first graph should be an xy scatter plot of Voltage vs. Current for the low resistance chart. Your second graph should be an xy scatter plot of Voltage vs. Current for the high resistance chart. Your axises should be labeled and should include units. Voltage should be on your x-axis and Current should be on your y-axis. Here are some videos of how to make xy scatter plots in excel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SeCPLC30_g&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnM-7Q6gmUA