General Physics 2 Lab 6: Circuits Siena College
Voltages in Series Circuits
1) Connect the circuit shown in the figure at the right, which consists of
two batteries connected to two bulbs in series.
2) Predict how the potential difference across the battery will compare
with the potential difference across the series combination of bulbs.
3) Using your multimeter to measure potential differences, make the following measurements:
Potential difference across batteries: __________
Potential difference across both bulbs: __________
4) How do the two potential differences compare? Did your observations agree with your prediction?
5) Assuming two bulbs are identical, predict how the potential difference across each bulb will
compare to the potential difference across the battery.
6) Measure the potential difference across each bulb:
Potential difference across bulb 1: __________
Potential difference across bulb 2: __________
7) Did your measurements agree with your predictions? Discuss any discrepancies.
8) Formulate a rule for how potential differences across individual bulbs in a series connection
combine to give the total potential difference across the series combination of the bulbs. How is
this related to the potential difference across the battery?
