Activity A:
Ohm’s law
Click Clear. Create the circuit shown at right. (Use the 20-ohm resistor.)
Click on the battery. Set the Selected battery voltage to 15 volts.
Introduction: Resistors are devices that slow the flow of current in a wire. The resistance of the circuit to current is measured in units called ohms.
Observe: Turn the light switch On to start the flow of current. An ammeter is a device that measures current in Amperes (A). Drag the Ammeter () to various parts of the circuit.
1. Is the current the same throughout, or does it change?
2. What is the current in the wire now?
3. How does the current change if you change the resistance in the circuit by adjusting the value of the resistor?
4. How does the current change if you change the voltage of the battery in the circuit?
5. How does Ohm's law relate to the relationships between current, voltage, and resistance in this circuit?