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Set to 2V
record current
12
Resistors in Series
RT R1 R2 R3 ...
As the current passes through it has to go further therefore it takes longerso will be slower.
Draw
A
V V
measuring current
SERIES CIRCUIT
2A
2A
2A
record current
record voltages
Calculate resistance
Use the voltages and circuit current to calculate:
The resistance in each light bulb The resistance in the overall circuit
Calculate using voltage provided by power supply Calculate using the individual light bulb resistances
Resistors in Parallel
RT
R1
R2
R3
...
As you combine the resisters in parallel they essentially turn into one big pipe which means that the overall resistance is lower and so the overall current is higher. One of the dangers of too many components in parallel is that the current gets too high!
Draw
V
A
A
V V
A
V
A
V
2A
2A 1A
2A
1A
Set up 2 light bulb and ammeter in parallel record voltages record current
A
V
A
V
PARALLEL
Total circuit resistance is smaller than the lowest individual resistance 1 1 1 EXTENTION: = + + 1 2 Connecting more resistors in parallel decreases total circuit resistance Increases current
Fuses
Fuses thin wire that melts (fuse blows) when too large a current flows through it.
Breaks the circuit Non-combustible case
Used to limit current from getting too high. Large currents are a thermal hazard. Electric power causes undesired heating effects whenever electric energy is converted to thermal energy at a rate faster than it can be safely dissipated.
Short-circuit
A short circuit is an undesired low-resistance path across a voltage source.
Worn insulation on the wires of a toaster allows them to come into contact with a low resistance r. Since P = V2/r, thermal power is created so rapidly that the cord melts or burns.
A thermal hazard can be created when circuits are overloaded with too much current. The power dissipated in the supply wires is P = I2Rw, where Rw is the resistance of the wires and I the current flowing through them. If I is too large, the wires overheat. If a high current is maintained for an extended period of time, surrounding materials can also melt or perhaps ignite
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are used more commonly than fuses
Faster to trip and break circuit Easily reset
Power boards in houses have either circuit breakers or fuses to keep current from getting to high. Usually set for 10A or 15A. Multi-plugs often have circuit breakers too.
House wiring
Wired in parallel
Everything gets 240 V Can use sockets or lights independently of each other
Can have multiple sockets or lights wired in parallel on each main supply wire. Need fuse or circuit breaker on main wire Multi-plugs are also wired in parallel
House wiring
High power appliances have low resistance and therefore draw a high current. Low power appliances have high resistance and therefore draw a relatively low current. What appliances are safe to add a multi-plug? Which ones should you plug in by themselves?