Physics 2 Laboratory - The Equivalent Resistance in Parallel and Series

Physics 2 Laboratory

 The lab report must include the following:
• Title
• Introduction
• Experimental Details or Theoretical Analysis
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusions and Summary
• References 

Lab Activity
Please follow the steps given below to conduct the experiment:
• This lab requires you to produce a lab report to determine “The Equivalent Resistance in Parallel and Series Settings.” This is the “Title” of your lab report.
• Read the relevant chapter on resistance and add an “Introduction.” You conduct this lab by connecting to the PhET website by clicking on the link given below (or where applicable through the embedded simulation on the lab page):

 For this experiment, you use the “Lab” section of the lab. After you click the lab section of the lab, select the "Show Current (electrons)," "Labels," and "Values" tools (top right-hand side corner). Set the "Wire Resistivity" and "Battery Resistance' to zero in the scale. You may use the voltmeter and ammeters for your experiment. Now you can use other tools on left-hand side as per the scenarios given below and obtain the resistance values. This information constitutes the “Experimental Details”section of the lab report. You must keep a record of all relevant values as experimental values for each scenario. These values form part of the “Results” section of the lab report. Now, complete the theoretical calculations
of resistance for each scenario using relevant equations. These calculated values also form the “Results” section of the lab report.
• Now, you can complete the “Discussion” section of your lab report by comparing the values and discussing any differences in the theoretical and experimental values and any other information relevant to the experiment.
• Complete the lab report by adding a summary to the “Conclusion” section of your lab report. 

Lab Scenarios
1. Prepare a circuit using three resistors in parallel connected to two batteries in a series next to each other. Note the total resistance, current, and voltage given by the simulation in 4 different places of your choice. Calculate those values theoretically. Both experimental and theoretical values are your results. Compare the theoretical values with experimental values in your discussion part of the lab report. You must provide a diagram of your circuit and show the 4 points you selected.

2. Prepare a circuit using three resistors in series connected to two batteries. Note the total resistance, current, and voltage given by the simulation in 2 different places of your choice. Calculate those values theoretically. Both experimental and theoretical values are your results. Compare the theoretical values with experimental values in your discussion part of the lab report. You must provide a diagram of your circuit and show the 2 points you selected.