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burgerking316
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Our Physics class is doing a lab on circuits, and I need some help. I am either really confused about what to do or using incorrect data.
You have a power outlet that is set up like this:
1 2
3 4
where 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent individual outlets.
(for clarification, it looks like http://www.garvinindustries.com/Images/IPA4D.jpg" )
You plug in light bulbs into each outlet in every possible combination and record how bright the bulb/bulbs is/are when plugged in. Using these combinations, you have to draw the setup of the circuit with 1, 2, 3, and 4, as resistors, drawn in the correct locations in accordance with relationships that they share with the other resistors. For example, if in every possible combination every lightbulb lit up to some degree, you would know that all of the resistors are in parallel with each other (because they are all independent from one another). If in every combination none of the lightbulbs lit up, except when all four were plugged in, you would know that all of the resistors are in series with each other (because they are all dependent on every other one). I'm stuck on two of the setups.
Here's the first problem.
The following combinations work, and each of the lightbulbs is only moderately bright:
1 and 3
2 and 3
4 and 3
The following combinations work, but for these only the lightbulb in outlet 3 lights up to its maximum brightness, and the other ones don't light up:
1 and 2 and 3
1 and 3 and 4
2 and 3 and 4
1 and 2 and 3 and 4
In every other combination, none of the lightbulbs light up.
For this one, I know that 3 is in series with everything else somehow. However, 1, 2, and 4 can't be in parallel with each other because plugging in light bulbs to, say, 1, 2, and 3, would result in all light bulbs lighting up. I drew 3 in series with 1, 2, and 4 individually, and had 1, 2, and 4 individually hook directly up to the battery. I think where the problem lies is in the idea that turning on one resistor would block current to another one.
Here's the second problem.
In every combination besides the following, the none of the light bulbs light up:
2 and 3 and 4 - all of the lightbulbs are dim
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 - 1 and 2 don't work, 3 and 4 are dim but slightly brighter than in the previous example
Like the previous problem, allowing current to one resistor blocks current to another, which I don't understand. Turning one 1 blocks current to 2 but allows current to 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are in series and both of those are in series with 2 or 1 somehow, but I don't know how to set it up.
You have a power outlet that is set up like this:
1 2
3 4
where 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent individual outlets.
(for clarification, it looks like http://www.garvinindustries.com/Images/IPA4D.jpg" )
You plug in light bulbs into each outlet in every possible combination and record how bright the bulb/bulbs is/are when plugged in. Using these combinations, you have to draw the setup of the circuit with 1, 2, 3, and 4, as resistors, drawn in the correct locations in accordance with relationships that they share with the other resistors. For example, if in every possible combination every lightbulb lit up to some degree, you would know that all of the resistors are in parallel with each other (because they are all independent from one another). If in every combination none of the lightbulbs lit up, except when all four were plugged in, you would know that all of the resistors are in series with each other (because they are all dependent on every other one). I'm stuck on two of the setups.
Here's the first problem.
Homework Statement
The following combinations work, and each of the lightbulbs is only moderately bright:
1 and 3
2 and 3
4 and 3
The following combinations work, but for these only the lightbulb in outlet 3 lights up to its maximum brightness, and the other ones don't light up:
1 and 2 and 3
1 and 3 and 4
2 and 3 and 4
1 and 2 and 3 and 4
In every other combination, none of the lightbulbs light up.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
For this one, I know that 3 is in series with everything else somehow. However, 1, 2, and 4 can't be in parallel with each other because plugging in light bulbs to, say, 1, 2, and 3, would result in all light bulbs lighting up. I drew 3 in series with 1, 2, and 4 individually, and had 1, 2, and 4 individually hook directly up to the battery. I think where the problem lies is in the idea that turning on one resistor would block current to another one.
Here's the second problem.
Homework Statement
In every combination besides the following, the none of the light bulbs light up:
2 and 3 and 4 - all of the lightbulbs are dim
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 - 1 and 2 don't work, 3 and 4 are dim but slightly brighter than in the previous example
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Like the previous problem, allowing current to one resistor blocks current to another, which I don't understand. Turning one 1 blocks current to 2 but allows current to 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are in series and both of those are in series with 2 or 1 somehow, but I don't know how to set it up.
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