University of Arkansas - AgriScience Project

AGRISCIENCE EXERCISE

PHYSICAL SCIENCES IN AGRICULTURE

Key Concept: Electricity and Electronic Systems

Sub-Concept: Electric Circuits

Agricultural Application: Basic electronics principles are applied in common agricultural equipment.

Exercise: Exploring Characteristics of Series and Parallel Circuits

Applied Principle(s): Basic principles of electricity

Goals:

  1. Describe the voltage, current (amperage), and resistance characteristics of series and parallel electrical circuits.


Materials:



References: Attached information sheet

Procedures for conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into small groups of no more than 3 students each.

2. Provide each student with an instruction/data sheet, and allow the class time to read the entire activity and attached information sheet before proceeding.

3. Provide each group with the necessary materials.

4. Allow the students to proceed through the activity, providing assistance as necessary.

5. When all groups have finished, discuss the activity questions and results as a class. Discuss the practical applications of the knowledge gained through the activity.



AGRISCIENCE EXERCISE

- Exploring Characteristics of Series and Parallel Electrical Circuits -

Student Data/Instruction Sheet

Part A: Characteristics of Parallel Circuits

  1. Read the attached information sheet before proceeding through this exercise, to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of Parallel Electrical Circuits.


  2. Secure the following equipment and supplies:


3. Draw a sketch showing the three resistors wired in parallel. Label the value of each resistor. Have your instructor review your sketch before going on to the next step.





















4. Using the conductors with clips, connect the three resistors in parallel.

5. Connect the circuit to the 6 volt battery.

6. Measure the DC voltages indicated below. Record your readings in the appropriate blanks.

Source voltage: ___________

Voltage across resistor #1 ___________

Voltage across resistor #2 ___________

Voltage across resistor #3 ___________





7. Describe the relationship between the source voltage and the load voltages in a parallel circuit. Develop a mathematical formula that describes this relationship.











8. Measure the DC amperages indicated below. Record your readings in the appropriate blanks.

Total circuit amperage: ________

Amperage to resistor #1: ________

Amperage to resistor #2: ________

Amperage to resistor #3: ________

9. Describe the relationship between the total amperage glowing in a parallel circuit ant the amperage flowing through each branch of the circuit. Develop a mathematical formula that describes this relationship.

















Part B: Electrical Characteristics of Series Circuits

1. Draw a sketch showing the three resistors wired in series. Label the value of each resistor. Have your instructor review your sketch before going on to the next step.



















2. Using the conductors with clips, connect the three resistors in series.

3. Connect the circuit to the 6 volt battery.

4. Measure the DC voltages indicated below. Record your readings in the appropriate blanks.

Source voltage: ________

Voltage across resistor #1: ________

Voltage across resistor #2: ________

Voltage across resistor #3: ________

5. Describe the relationship between the source voltage and the load voltages in a series circuit. Develop a mathematical formula that describes this relationship.





















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