Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #1

Name:___________Edward Felton_________________________
Section: ___11am____

Computer Simulation: Series and Parallel CKT

In this activity you will use the Simulation: Circuit Construction Kit to
develop your understanding of the series and parallel circuit analysis

1. Objective

To study resistors, Ohm’s law, series and parallel circuit analysis.

2. Apparatus
Phet online software for Circuit construction

3. Theory

Ohm’s law states that if a resistor is in a circuit, there is a current that flows through the resistor as
a result of the voltage applied to it. The resistance of a resistor could be measured in a circuit by
dividing the voltage applied to the resistor over the current that is flowing in the resistor:

V
R=
I

where V is the voltage across the resistor in volts (V ) and I is the current flowing through the
resistor in amps (A). The units of resistance are then V /A = Ω, called ohms.
If the resistor is linear, then the ratio V /I is always the same and the resistance is a constant value.
Then we may write:

V =IR

which states that V and I are proportional with a constant of proportionality R. This is the linear
form of Ohm’s law, and the most famous form. All standard resistors follow this mathematical
equation and are therefore technically linear resistors. Sometimes, for some materials or devices,
this is not the case. Such devices are then termed non-linear. The schematic of a resistor is shown
in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: The schematic representation of a resistor.

Any material in the real life has a resistor, some materials have lower resistance (conductors) like
metals and some have higher resistance (insulators), like plastic, stone, rubber, etc. The resistance
of the materials can change depending on the voltage that is applied to them but there are resistors
that are having almost same resistance under different conditions. The resistor in market have
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #2
color coded bands printed on them so that the people can read their resistance by looking at the
colors. Fig. 2. shows an example of a commercial resistor and the color code table.

Fig. 2. Color codes showing the resistance of a commercial resistor

3.1. Building a circuit

If you want to build a circuit you need t to connect a resistor to a battery using wires so that the
current flows from the battery to the resistors and go back to the battery. Fig. 3 shows the
schematic of a circuit. When the two ends of the resistor is connected to the battery the circuit is
closed (switch is closed) and if it is not connected it is open (switch is open).

Fig. 3: The schematic of a closed circuit (left) and open circuit (right).

3.2. Series and Parallel Circuit configuration

When we build a circuit with resistors we can connect them in general in one of two ways: in series
or in parallel. The way two resistors are in series is sketched in Fig. 4. Putting two resistors in series
makes the net (equivalent) resistance the sum of the resistors:

Fig. 4: The schematic representation of a resistor showing two resistors in series.

Req = R1 + R2, or in general for many resistors

Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #3

Req = R1 + R2 + R3 + · · · + RN

for a total of N resistors in series.

Fig. 5: The schematic representation of two resistors in parallel.

For a parallel configuration, the resistors look like Fig. 5. The net resistance for the parallel resistors
is given by the following expression
R 1 R2
→ Req =
R 1 + R2

where Req will be less than either of the two resistances making up the parallel combination. For
many resistors in parallel, the equation becomes:

and, once again, Req will be less than the smallest resistor in the combination. Usually the circuit has
a mixture of parallel and series resistors, and to find the equivalent resistance of the entire circuit
one must add different sections in either series or parallel. For example, Fig. 6 shows such a circuit.
The equivalent resistance between points A and B is found

Fig. 6. (Left) A sample circuit with series and parallel resistors. (Right) The same schematic but with R eq in
place for R2 and R3.

using the above equations for adding resistors. Let R1 = 10 Ω, R2 = 20 Ω, and R3 = 25 Ω. The upper
right pair is in parallel and can be added as such, yielding the equivalent resistance of the pair in its
place: 1/Req = 1/20 Ω + 1/25 Ω. This gives a value of Req = 11 Ω, and this equivalent resistance can
then replace the pair in Fig. 6 (Right).
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #4
Similarly, the lower left three resistors can be added in parallel and replaced by their equivalent
resistance: 1/Req = 1/R3 + 1/R3 + 1/R2. Plugging in the values for R2 and R3 gives Req = 7.7 Ω,
with the schematic as shown in Fig. 7. At this point, there are resistors (between points A and B) in
series on both the top path and the bottom path.

Fig. 7: The schematic now with Req in place for the three parallel resistors.

We can calculate the equivalent resistance for the top (R eq = R1 + R1 + 11 Ω = 31 Ω) and the
bottom (Req = 7.7 Ω + R1 + R2 = 37.7 Ω) and replace the series resistances with these. The
schematic now looks like Fig. 8 (left). Finally, Fig. 8 (right) shows two resistors in parallel, which
can be added as such to yield the overall equivalent resistance for the entire circuit: 1/R eq= 1/31 Ω
+ 1/37.7 Ω, which gives Req = 17 Ω. This is the amount of resistance between points A and B of the
original circuit shown in Fig. 6 (Left), but in a simplified form

Fig. 8: (Left) The schematic with Req in place for series resistors. (Right) The equivalent circuit for the original
circuit of Fig. 6 (Left).

That is, these two circuits (Fig. 6 and Fig. 8) have the same net resistance between points A and B,
even though one is much more complicated than the other. A battery connected between points A
and B will supply the same current to either circuit.

3.1. Voltmeters and Ammeters

When a resistor configuration is connected to a battery and the circuit is closed, the current flows in
the circuit and passes through each resistor. There is a voltage drop across each resistor and this
voltage drop (potential difference across the element) could be measured by a voltmeter. Also, the
current passing through the resistor could be measured using an Ammeter. The voltmeter is placed
in parallel with the element and since it has a very high resistance it does not draw any current
from the circuit and therefore does not affect the. The reading on the meter is the voltage drop
between the two points where the meter leads are placed in the circuit. This is depicted in Fig. 9.
Ammeters read the current passing through a particular branch of a circuit
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #5

Fig. 9: A voltmeter reading the potential difference across a resistor in a circuit.

(i.e. a wire). The ammeter must be wired directly into the circuit in series where one wants to know
the current. The resistance of the ammeter is very low (essentially zero) and therefore does not
affect the circuit. This is depicted in Fig. 10.

Fig. 9: An ammeter reading the current through a wire in a circuit

4. Procedure

3.3. Get yourself familiar with the software:

a. Environment: You see the following page when the software is opened: Go to the link:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab/latest/circuit-
construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab_en.html

b. You can drag and drop items in the left column onto the screen to build a circuit. The rest of
the items in the box could be found by clicking on the downward or upward arrow
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #6

a. Wires could be extended by clicking on one end and drag to the place you want to
connect.
b. By grabbing the middle of the wire you can move it to wherever you want. The wire
could be removed by clicking on the wire and then click on (or press Delete on
your keypad).
c. The wires are not having any resistance by default but their resistance could be
customized using the box on the right hand side (Wire Resistivity)

d. The resistors could be dragged and dropped on the screen and their resistance could
be changed by clicking on the resistor and the options shows up below: The color
codes changes as the resistance changes. The whole item could be removed by
clicking on (or press Delete on your keypad).

e. The batteries could be dragged and dropped on the screen and the voltage of the
battery could be changed by clicking on the battery and the options shows up: The
polarity could be changed by clicking on and the whole item could be removed by
clicking on (or press Delete on your keypad). The internal resistance of the
battery could be customized using the box on the right hand side (Battery
Resistance)
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #7

f. The items for building the circuit could be connected by bring the two ends close. If
you want to disconnect a connection click on the junction and then click on (or
press Delete on your keypad)

g. A circuit could be build using a battery, wires, and resistor. It is optional to add a
switch. By clicking on the switch the current starts to flow by showing the
movement of the electrons by default (negative to positive). If you
want to see the conventional demonstration of current flow (positive to negative)
click on the in the top right box. By clicking on the Values in the top
right box you can see the value of each element shown on top of it. By clicking on the

in the bottom right box your circuit will be shown in the schematics rather
than lifelike items.

h. If you want to measure the voltage across any element in the circuit, drag and drop
voltmeter then move and place the probes across the desired element. You can move
back the voltmeter in the box where you got it to remove it from the screen.

i. If you want to measure the current, you need to remove one wire and place the
Ammeter instead in series with the rest of the circuit.
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #8

j. You can take a screen shot and fill in the word file and upload your answers. Also
you can go to the options and take a screenshot. It would save a picture in you
downloads. The third option is to use word to take the screenshot. Go to menu 
insert screenshot. (You can do screen clipping by choosing the item at the bottom)
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #9
2.1. Build a circuit
Choose a resistor (Pick randomly between 10-100 Ω) and wire it up as shown in Fig. 9 with
the ammeter in series and a variable voltage supply.

Fig. 9: Schematic circuit for part 1 (Left). Simulation on software (Right)

Click on the switch to connect the circuit (  ) and then vary the voltage on the supply

( ) and read the voltage drop across the resistor with the voltmeter ( ). The
corresponding value of the current should also be noted ( ). Do this for five different voltage
values over a wide range ( Pick randomly between 1-30 V ). Note the color bands of the resistors on
your data sheet and find the value of each of your resistors this is the theoretical value. Fill out the
below table:

Change ↓ Read and Calculate and Read the color code ↓

insert↓ write↓

Voltage: Current: Resistance: Theoretical

(V) I (mA) R (Ω)=V/I Resistance (Ω)

1V 0.1 10 Ω 10 Ω
2V 0.2 10Ω 10 Ω

5V 0.5 10 Ω 10 Ω
10V 1.0 10 Ω 10 Ω
15V 1.5 10 Ω 10 Ω
20V 2.0 10 Ω 10 Ω
30V 3.0 10 Ω 10 Ω

1. Use the data that you have generated in the table and plot Current-Voltage (I-V). You can also
plot in Excel and insert the generated plot.
 Current:
I (mA)

Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #10

3.75 2. Find the slope of the line (
Rise ). Inverse the Slope and
Run
3 1
find the resistance ( R=
Slope
) and compare with the other
2.25 two Resistances measured in
the table.

1.5
0
Voltage (V)
0.75 4.2 Series

Choose two resistors (Pick

0 randomly between 10-100 Ω )
1V 2V 5V 10V 15V 20V 30V and wire them in series and
record their values. Hook up an
Current (A) ammeter in series as well as the voltage source. For a fixed voltages, measure the voltage across the
pair (Veq) and each individual resistor. Click on the switch to connect the circuit (  )
and then vary the voltage on the supply ( ) and read the voltage drop across the

resistor with the voltmeter ( ). The corresponding value of the current should also be noted (
). Record the current as well for each voltage.

Calculate the total resistance of your series circuits using V eq and Ieq. Using the equation for adding
series resistances, calculate the equivalent resistance of the pair (using theoretical values).
Compare your average equivalent resistance value ± error for the pair of resistors to what the
0 theoretical values, when added in series, say the value should be. In addition, note how the two
individual voltages compare to the total voltage across the pair. What is the relationship?

Voltage (V) in Current (I) in Series Theoretical %

Volts Amps Resistance R Difference
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #11
R = V/I in Ω

R1 3.0V 0.3A 10 Ω 10 Ω 0

R2 4.0V 0.4A 10 Ω 10 Ω 0

Req=R1+R2:
Req 7.0 Ω 7Ω 14 Ω Req=20 Ω 0

% difference = | Difference | *100 /Average

4.3 Parallel (Lab 3)

Wire two resistors in parallel and record their values. Hook up the ammeter as shown in Fig. 12.
For a fixed voltages, measure the current into the circuit as well as the voltage across the circuit,
and then measure the voltage across each resistor. Click on the switch to connect the circuit (
 ) and then vary the voltage on the supply ( ) and read the voltage drop

across the resistor with the voltmeter ( ). The corresponding value of the current should also be
noted ( ).
Calculate the total resistance of the pair from V and I for each trial for a given pair of resistors. Find
the equivalent resistance using the theoretical resistances, and compare to your average ± error.
Calculate the I through each resistor using V and R. How do the two I’s compare to the total I?

Parallel
Voltage (V) in Current (I) in %
Resistance Theoretical R
Volts Amps Difference
R = V/I in Ω

R1 3.0V 0.3 A 10 Ω 10 Ω 0
Physics II online lab: Series and Parallel circuits Page #12

R2 7.0V 0.7 A 10 Ω 10 Ω 0

R 1 R2
Req =
R 1 + R2
Req 10 Ω 10 Ω 20 Ω 0
Req=10 Ω+10
Ω=20 Ω

% difference = | Difference | *100 /Average

5. Questions

1. Explain why when one puts two resistors in series the resistance increases while for the same
two in parallel the resistance decreases. Resistance increases when connected in a series.

2. We assumed your ammeter had very little resistance (it really is pretty small), but its R value 6=
0. Explain the effect your ammeter has on a circuit when it is placed in the circuit.
The ammeter will only add a minute/negligible amount of resistance to the whole circuit. It would
only add 0.1 to the 6 and result in 6.01 ohms.