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
In front of you there is a breadboard, a power supply and a multimeter.
- The breadboard is the large white panel in front of you. It is a tool that makes it possible to build a circuit easily. Everything that is in a numbered column is connected to everything else within that column. The same thing is true for rows X and Y.
- The power supply is the gray box on the shelf. It is like an electrical outlet! It provides the energy needed for our circuits.
- The multimeter is the rectangle with orange outlines. It is a tool that makes it possible to study the current as well as the voltage of your circuit.
To your right are bins containing various electronic components. In this experiment, you will only have access to wires and resistors.
Building the circuit
- Take two wires from the bin and place them in front of you.
- Take the end of one of the wires and connect it to the black terminal of the power supply.
- Take the other end of the same wire and connect it on row X of the breadboard.
- Take one end of the other wire and connect it to the red terminal of the power supply.
- Take the other end of this same wire and connect it on row Y of the breadboard .
The power supply is now connected to the breadboard. It is now possible to use rows A to E to do the experiment.
- Turn on the power supply using the switch and note the value displayed on the power supply.
- Take a wire and connect it from row X to location A-10.
- Take the mystery resistor on the shelf in front of you and connect it from B-10 to B-11
- Take a resistor from the bin to your right and connect it from C-11 to C-12
- Using the color guide, note the resistance of the resistor.
- Take a wire and connect it from E-12 to row Y.
You have built your first circuit! This circuit could have been built in many other ways. Here, the exact configuration was provided but the important thing is only to respect the connections of the breadboard as illustrated on the poster on the table.
Saving a circuit
- At the bottom right of the main menu of this tablet, you can find a button that makes it possible to view the circuit. Once in this interface, you can see a diagram representing the circuit you have just created. In this interface, two buttons are accessible. One to save the image in the results, another to change the display type to a camera.
- Save the diagram and the camera view of the circuit.
Measuring a circuit
Now that the circuit is built, it must be studied! To do this you must use the multimeter.
- Take a wire and connect it to the central jack (COM) of the multimeter.
- Take another wire and connect it to the right jack (VHz) of the multimeter.
- Make sure that the central dial points to V.
- You are now ready to measure the voltage of your resistor, to do this, take the two remaining ends of the wires and connect them to locations D-11 and D-12.
Saving the circuit diagram
- Turn off the power supply
- Using the resistance and the voltage noted, use Ohm’s law to calculate the current in the known resistor and therefore in the circuit.
- With the measured voltage and the voltage provided by the power supply, use Kirchhoff’s second law to calculate the voltage of the mystery resistor.
You now know the voltage and the current of the mystery resistor. Use Ohm’s law to discover its resistance.
- Send the results
Anticipated Outcomes
Results are found following this link
- 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:
- Understand basic circuit concepts and terminology.
- Gain an introduction to using a multimeter to measure voltage.
- 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:
- Apply theoretical concepts to practical measurements.
- Develop a deeper understanding of circuit behavior, including voltage drops and current flow.
- 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:
- Master the use of a multimeter for precise measurements.
- Analyze circuits mathematically to understand electrical behavior.
- Interpret experimental data to solve for unknowns, connecting results to theoretical laws.
- 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
