Students will construct series and parallel circuits with both bulbs and resistors. The lab begins with bulbs, but since taking measurements with bulbs can often be imprecise, the measurement portion of the lab uses resistors and a DC power supply.
Required Equipment
Alligator Leads, Mini Bulb Bases, Mini Bulbs, D Batteries, Battery Holder, DC Power Supply, Assorted Resistors.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dwight "Buzz" Putnam for his assistance in developing this lab. Buzz is a 25 year veteran physics teacher at Whitesboro High School, New York Science Teacher of the Year and Host of the Regents Physics Answers television show on PBS. You can also find him refereeing high school basketball games as well as presenting at the NSTA National Conferences.
Download Teacher Notes and Student Worksheets
The resistors required for this lab can be purchased at your local electronic supply store.
