HW

Next class, we will begin the formal lab on basic circuits.  To prepare:

1.  Draw a circuit containing the following:  a 3-V battery/source, wire and a resistor.

2.  Learn the difference between electrical devices "in series" and "in parallel."

3.  Try to find out a little about how to use a "multimeter".  How does one measure voltage?  How does one measure current?

In general, the structure of the lab is thus:  you will have a 3-V battery in series with a changing resistor.  You will change the value of the resistor many times.  For each trial, after changing the resistance, you will measure voltage and current.  What do you suppose will happen to:

a.  the voltage
b.  the current

Since you will graph data, what do you suppose the graphs will resemble.

In a pre-lab hypothesis, suggest what you believe will happen to voltage and current as resistance is changed.

You may also wish to set up data tables with headings for resistance, voltage and current.  Don't forget units.

Hooray!