Series and Parallel Circuits
Experiment Time - Part 2
Now let’s try it with resistors in a parallel configuration. Place one 10kΩ resistor in the breadboard as before (we’ll trust that the reader already believes that a single 10kΩ resistor is going to measure something close to 10kΩ on the multimeter). Now place a second 10kΩ resistor next to the first, taking care that the leads of each resistor are in electrically connected rows. But before measuring the combination, calculate by either product-over-sum or reciprocal methods what the new value should be (hint: it’s going to be 5kΩ). Then measure. Is it something close to 5kΩ? If it’s not, double check the holes into which the resistors are plugged.
Repeat the exercise now with 3, 4 and 5 resistors. The calculated/measured values should be 3.33kΩ, 2.5kΩ and 2kΩ, respectively. Did everything come out as planned? If not, go back and check your connections. If it did, EXCELSIOR! Go have a milkshake before we continue. You’ve earned it.