In this lab, we were exploring electricity and learning more about circuits. the analogy that was the most helpful to hear was the idea of electricity as water going through a pipe.  voltage would be how much water is being pushed through (measured in (V)volts), current is how strong the water is being pushed through (measured in (A) Amperes or milliAmps (mA), and last of all resistance (in Ohms) is likened to the size of the pipe, which will oppose both current and voltage.  that’s so hot right? yea, so movin’ on.

Part I. Measuring Voltage

Working with Winslow on this lab, we first set out to test our skills at measuring voltage. after soldering the DC power jack, we connected it to our breadboard, along with our voltage regulator.  taking our multimeter, we measured roughly 15V going in and 5V coming out.  so far so good.

Part II. Basic LED circuits.

Here we connected the LED, switch, and 220-ohm resistor in a circuit.  again no problem.  measuring our voltage with the:

switch on (0 V)      :  LED (1.78V) + Resistor (2.89V) = 4.67V TOTAL

switch off (3.75 V) : LED (0 V) + Resistor (0V) = 3.75V TOTAL

Part III. Components in Series.

Here we were connecting two LEDs in a series (power to ground).  the voltage reading across both registered at around 2.4V, which makes sense since together they should add up to roughly 5V.  the second we added the third LED however, it dropped, and the third LED would not light.

Part IV.  Components in Parallel.

HOLY SMOKES! so we had a few LED casulties on this one.  someone suggested replacing our voltage regulator with another one, even though it had the same numbers on the front, the new regulator had a top section that was slightly different.  it might be the reason, but regardless of which, our LEDs lit up sporadically.  it was a little confusing at first to figure out how to connect our multimeter in circuit to our existing parallel circuit on the breadboard but we figured it out eventually, reading 1A.

Part V.  Generating Variable Voltage w/a Potentiometer

Finally we added our trusty pot to the mix. watch our conclusions in the video below.