Series and Parallel Circuits

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Contributors: Pete-O
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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.

Experiment: Measure parallel resistors with a multimeter

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.