This excercise will help you determine the relationship between voltage
(V), amperage (I) and resistance (R).
This relationship is called Ohm's Law
This experiment consists of modifying a circuit. The circuit is made up of
four parts:
- a battery :
A battery has a positive and negative terminal that creates a potential
difference. This is frequently, but erroneously, taken as being equivalent to
potential energy. They are not identical. Potential difference is proportional
to potential energy and the two can be related via the work done per unit
charge. This measure of energy per unit charge is measured is called voltage
(V) and the unit of measurement is called volts.
- a wire, which has resistance (R). Resistance inhibits the
amount of current running along the circuit. The greater the resistance, the
lower the current. Resistance is a bit like inertia in mechanics. For a
given force, the greater the mass (inertia) the lower the acceleration.
Here, for a given voltage, material with high resistivity will inhibit the
flow of electrons (\eg current) through it.
- a lightbulb
which has an amperage (I). Amps are the unit of current and
current is the amount of electrons that flow down the wire per unit time. This
current is converted to power by the resistive element inside the light bulb.
The length of time that you leave the light bulb on determines the total
amount of energy which has been used.
- a switch, which turns the system on and off.
The problem consists of two parts:
- Find the formula which describes Ohm's Law; that is, find the mathematical
relationship between voltage (V), amperage (I), and resistance
(R).
- Determine the amperage of the lightbulb.
The first part will be discovered through a trial-and-error experiment. You
are given a circuit on which you may vary the voltage by choosing from a variety
of batteries and the resistance by adding resistors 
to
the circuit.
You will then turn on the switch, allowing current to flow through the
circuit. If the resistance is too low, the lightbulb will receive too much
current, and will explode. If the resistance is too great, the lightbulb will
not receive e nough current, and will not light. If the resistance is just
right, the lightbulb will light up. (Note: real light bulbs are not perfect
ohmic resistors as is the case here and will light partially with any amount of
current).
If the lightbulb explodes or fails to light, turn off the switch (which
automatically replaces the lightbulb) and try again.
First, concentrate on changing the resistance to get the lightbulb to turn
on. Once you get a working circuit write down your values, change the value of
the battery, and try again. You should begin to see the relationship between V,
I, an d A. You should then be able to derive what the Amperage of
the lightbulb is.
Each battery and resistor has a value printed on it which reflects the
objects voltage and resistance, respectively.
- To add batteries to the circuit, use the mouse to drag a battery from the
toolbox (the box containing the various resistors and batteries) and drop it
onto the larger battery on the circuit.
- To add resistors to the circuit, drag a resistor from the toolbox onto the
empty box located on the circuit. Multiple resistors may be added to the
circuit.
- To remove resistors, simply drag the resistor you wish to remove from the
circuit and drop it anywhere outside of the resistor box.
- To turn the circuit on and off, click once on the switch.
|
Voltage of Cell (battery) Used
(V) |
Current measured
(I) |
Total Resistance Needed
(R) |
|
6 Volts |
Amps |
Ohms |
|
12 Volts |
Amps |
Ohms |
|
18 Volts |
Amps |
Ohms |
|
24 Volts |
Amps |
Ohms |
In this next circuit, the light bulb has a different amperage than in the
previous experiment. Furthermore, we will tell you what the amperage of the
light bulb is. Given this information, you should be able to complete the
circuit correctly with one try. Go to the sight listed below