In this laboratory, you will learn the fundamentals of constructing, measuring, and analyzing electrical circuits. Before starting, familiarize yourself with the environment and the tools provided. By following step-by-step instructions, you will build a simple circuit, measure its properties, and apply fundamental electrical laws.
Educational Goals
- Understand the function of electronic components: Gain knowledge about the roles of components like breadboards, power sources, resistors, and multimeters in a circuit.
- Learn circuit construction: Master the techniques of building a circuit on a breadboard, ensuring proper connections and configurations.
- Measure circuit properties: Use a multimeter to measure key electrical properties, including voltage and resistance, while understanding their significance.
- Apply Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws: Analyze the circuit mathematically by applying these fundamental principles to determine resistance, voltage, and current.
- Develop problem-solving skills: Learn to troubleshoot circuit configurations, interpret measurement results, and verify your observations against theoretical predictions.
- Document and save experimental data: Utilize digital tools to record, save, and analyze circuit diagrams and measurements for future reference.
Protocol
Preparation and setup
- Before starting, put on safety glasses and a lab coat.
- Ensure all observations and results are recorded in the logbook or dictated into the Dictaphone section.
Equipment overview
- The breadboard is the large white panel with interconnected rows and columns for circuit assembly. Rows X and Y and each numbered column are linked internally.
- The power source, the gray box on the shelf, provides the energy for your circuit.
- The multimeter, identified by its orange outline, measures voltage, current, and resistance.
- Bins on your right contain wires and resistors for this experiment.
Circuit construction
- Take two wires from the bin and place them on the table.
- Connect one wire’s purple connector to the black terminal of the power source and its other end to the X row of the breadboard.
- Connect the second wire’s purple connector to the red terminal of the power source and its other end to the Y row of the breadboard.
- Turn on the power source and note the value displayed.
- Take another wire and connect it from the X row to slot A-10.
- Insert the mystery resistor from the shelf between slots B-10 and B-11.
- Take a known resistor from the bin and place it between C-11 and C-12. Note its resistance using the color guide.
- Connect a wire from slot E-12 to the Y row of the breadboard.
Congratulations, you’ve built your first circuit! While this configuration was provided, circuits can be assembled in multiple ways. Always ensure connections respect the breadboard layout.
Save and study the circuit
Save the circuit
9. Open the Circuit interface on the tablet by clicking the Circuit button at the bottom-right corner.
10. Save the schematic and camera view of your circuit using the provided buttons.
Measure the circuit
11. Connect a wire to the COM socket of the multimeter.
12. Connect another wire to the VHz socket of the multimeter. Ensure the multimeter’s central dial points to V.
13. Measure the voltage across the known resistor by placing the wire ends into slots D-11 and D-12. Record the measured voltage.
Turn off the power source before proceeding to calculations.
Analysis and calculations
- Use Ohm’s law (I=VRI = \frac{V}{R}I=RV) to calculate the current through the known resistor and the circuit.
- Apply Kirchhoff’s second law to find the voltage drop across the mystery resistor.
- Determine the resistance of the mystery resistor using Ohm’s law (R=VIR = \frac{V}{I}R=IV).
Results documentation
- Save your calculations and results in the logbook.
- Submit the saved circuit diagram, camera view, and calculated data using the interface.
Finally, the fourth band indicates tolerance. It’s the error in percentage of the given resistance.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Understanding of circuit components
- Participants will recognize the function and importance of various circuit elements, including breadboards, resistors, power sources, and multimeters.
- Mastery of basic circuit assembly
- By following the protocol, participants will successfully construct a functioning electrical circuit using a breadboard, wires, and resistors.
- Practical application of measurement tools
- Students will gain confidence in using a multimeter to measure voltage and current, reinforcing their understanding of electrical properties.
- Application of Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws
- Participants will apply theoretical principles to calculate current, voltage drops, and resistance, connecting mathematical concepts to physical observations.
- Improved problem-solving skills
- Students will troubleshoot and correct errors in circuit configuration, developing critical thinking skills necessary for practical applications in physics and engineering.
- Appreciation for data accuracy and recording
- By saving circuit diagrams and documenting results, students will understand the importance of precision and reproducibility in scientific experiments.
- Linking theory to practice
- Participants will bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, gaining a deeper appreciation for the relevance of electrical concepts in everyday technology.
Significance and lessons learned:
- Understanding electrical circuits
Gain a hands-on appreciation of how electrical components interact to create functional circuits. - Accurate measurement techniques
Learn to operate a multimeter and record reliable data for circuit analysis. - Application of theoretical laws
Apply Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws to real-world problems, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical application. - Systematic troubleshooting
Develop skills in identifying and solving issues in circuit assembly and measurement. - Data recording and analysis
Learn to document and analyze experimental results systematically, ensuring reproducibility and accuracy. - This activity provides a comprehensive introduction to circuit assembly, encouraging both hands-on experimentation and analytical thinking. With these foundational skills, you are well-prepared to explore advanced topics in electrical engineering and physics.
Summary of Assignment by Grade Range
Grades 6-8 (Middle School):
· Focus: Basic introduction to circuit components and assembly.
· Activities: Familiarization with breadboards, wires, and resistors. Hands-on assembly of a simple circuit and observation of basic electrical properties.
· Learning Outcomes:
o Understand basic circuit concepts and terminology.
o Gain an introduction to using a multimeter to measure voltage.
o Develop basic troubleshooting skills and confidence in circuit assembly.
Grades 9-10 (Junior High School):
· Focus: Intermediate exploration of circuit properties and measurements.
· Activities: Construction of a circuit with a mystery resistor and measurement of voltage and resistance. Application of Ohm’s law to calculate current.
· Learning Outcomes:
o Apply theoretical concepts to practical measurements.
o Develop a deeper understanding of circuit behavior, including voltage drops and current flow.
o Record and analyze experimental results systematically.
Grades 11-12 (High School):
· Focus: Advanced analysis and application of electrical principles.
· Activities: Measurement of voltage and resistance, calculation of current using Ohm’s law, and analysis of a mystery resistor using Kirchhoff’s law.
· Learning Outcomes:
o Master the use of a multimeter for precise measurements.
o Analyze circuits mathematically to understand electrical behavior.
o Interpret experimental data to solve for unknowns, connecting results to theoretical laws.
o Document results comprehensively and articulate findings in a structured format.
This tiered approach ensures that students at all levels engage with the lab in a meaningful way, building skills progressively and preparing for more complex challenges in physics and electrical engineering.
Laboratory essentials
Instruments
Multimeter
Connecting wires
Resistors
Breadboard
Power Supply
Resistor color code chart
Products
Unknown resistors with distinct color codes
Diagram
