Title: Practical Task “Measure within the virtual laboratory” I
Course: Electric Circuit > Section: Self-learning Unit "Resistance and Simple Serial Circuits"

Practical task

The virtual laboratory (overview and description)

The virtual laboratory is operated by the University Colorado Boulder^1 and enables to work web-based on simple circuits.

After starting the program, choose the laboratory to start work.

On the left, you find the toolbox (there are several pages). Drag the chosen element from the left to the work surface. If you achieve a congruence of the dotted lined circles at the end, the elements connect with each other automatically. Every element can be rotated around these circles.

On the right side, you find the settings and notifications. Here you can change the reports of resistance values and voltage (just try it).

Task: electrical circuit, measurements of the electrical circuit

Create a simple circuit and measure the voltage and current in the circuit. The exact instructions can be found in a word document, which can be downloaded here. Please use this document for your report too.

Download the task description (Word)

Sample electrical circuit: includes a voltage source, a controller (on the right side), a consumer (light bulb) and the necessary wiring.

In general, you should measure and compare the battery voltage and the light bulb voltage. Furthermore, you should define the flowing current of the electrical circuit.

With the voltage and defined current you should be able to calculate the resistance of the light bulb (You can find background information and formula to calculate voltage and current in this unit. Information about resistance can be found here .).

Here you can start the application and open the laboratory:

Zum Starten klicken

Hand in

Record all values in the protocol, answer the questions, mark your protocol with your name in the heading line, name the document “Protocol_surname_first name.docx” and finally, upload it here on the study platform.

^1 Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.