Question

The goal of this laboratory is to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to build and analyze a
basic electrical circuit. You will need to watch two videos introducing the multimeter and the
breadboard. After watching these videos, you will need to answer five relatively short questions
regarding the concept seen in the videos. Note, after much thought, i decided to use two videos
from youtube. The creators of these videos did a wonderful job explaining the different detail
pertaining to these two pieces of equipment.
The video for the multimeter demonstration can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLkPtmnglOI
The video for the breadboard can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WReFkfrUIk
In the diagram above we have two resistors R1 and R2 connected to a power source V. The points
A,B,C,D,E and F are considered to be solderless connectors. Four wires are connecting the entire
circuit. These wires connect the point A and B, B and C, D and E and finally E and F together. Any of
the wires, or electrical components, could be removed to make a measurement. Refer to this
diagram for question 1 to 4.
Question 1 (10 points): Using the multimeter explain how you would measure the voltage drop on
R1? Did you have to remove any component to make the measurement?
Question 2 (10 points): Using the multimeter explain how you would measure the resistance of R1?
Did you have to remove any component to make the measurement?
Question 3 (10 points): Using the multimeter explain how you would measure the current going
through R2? Did you have to remove any component to make the measurement?
Question 4 (10 points): Using the multimeter explain how you would measure the total current of
the circuit? Did you have to remove any component to make the measurement?
Question 5 (10 points): Name two common mistake made by the student when using a breadboard

Answer 1

As an image is missing, I'm adding a guessed figure as given below.
Q1: To check the voltage drop across R1, no need to remove any components. Look at the voltage supply, and maintain a DC voltage greater than this value. Then place the 2 probes of multimeter on the 2 sides of the resistor and we will get the voltage drop across R1.
Q2: Just turn of the supply for safety and turn the knob of multimeter onto the resistance region of suitable value. Then place the 2 knobs on its 2 sides and we will get it's resistance value.
Q3: Take the voltage drop across R2 using multimeter and also find its resistance value using it. Then by using Ohm's law we can find out the current through it as I2= V2/R2 where V2 is the voltage across R2 and I2 is the current through R2.
Q4: Remove DE and place one probe at D and other on E. Before it make sure you turn the multimeterknob on current region of suitable domain. Then we will get the current passing through the circuit.
Q5: Students usually put both terminals of electrical components such as resistors, capacitors on the same line of the breadbord which will cause shorting. The second mistake is that some times there will be a break in the buses. But without noticing this they will connect the voltage terminal on one end of it and take connection from other end and it will cause an open circuit. Another mistake is that they will not push the leads inadequately. So connections sometimes may break.