electricity master lab manual sample

EXPERIMENT MANUAL

WARNING — Science Education Set.

This set contains chemicals and/or parts that may be harmful if misused. Read cautions on individual containers and in manual carefully. Not to be used by children except under adult supervision.

Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH � Co. KG, Pfizersr. �-�, ����� Sugar, Germany | +�� (�) (�) ��� ��� ����-� ����-� | www.kosmos.de Thames � Kosmos, ��� ��� Friendship Friendship S., Providence, RI, �����, �����, USA | �-���-���-���� | www.hamesandkosmos.com Thames � Kosmos UK Ld, Goudhurs, Ken, TN�� �QZ Unied Kingdom | ����� ������ | www.hamesandkosmos.co.uk

Kit Contents › › › KIT CONTENTS

GOOD TO K NO W! If you are missing any parts, please contact Thames � Kosmos customer service for replacements.

Component name

The components in your kit This lis provides brief descripions and illusraions of all he componens in his experimen ki.

:  You wil l al so need   ni ze   d  ol t , t ype  LR � / AA), d e io F our AA b at te  r   ie   s ( �.� - v  e  or  r    he har d war e s to or d i st  i  l   le   d wat e r f r om t    g s od a, in   g oi l , b ak in ok  o c  , t   l  a s  , gar  u  s  , t   e   k   ar  s upe r m hi ng was  h s   i   d  , oon p s  a e   t  , d   i     e gar , c it r ic   ac    on, v in l em we l  o r  t  e  t c ont ai ne r,  pap   ui d,  gl as s , c l e an yogur  l iq t e r  wa p t  a , l   i  o  f  um al umi n r ol l , b owl , s auc e r,  f or k,  pe , a t t  n e   ar  p ns  a r   t  , s   ok  o b  ( war m and c ol d)  , t wo pape r and    l pape r c l i ps , s he et   of    r ul e r,  me ta �� - cm z inc -  ny, n r  pe  ppe  o c  nc il   , c ar d b oar d , s of t l e ad pe  nai l , and  n o r   i  ng o l  , ) e   r  o t   e  s  ar  w c oat e d was he r ( har d  ai n, owi ng mat er   i al s : por ce  l    ob  j e ct   s mad e of t he f ol l  he r  d ot  n, an r   o i  , k   r  o c  am, o   r of  pl as ti   c , wood , gl as s , s ty   l s . me ta

Battery compartment Iem no. ������

Qty.

�

Component description This box supplies he curren you need for all he experimens. Before saring, inser four AA baeries (�.�-vol, ype LR�/AA). Then, you will be able o draw elecrical curren from he wo erminals (+ and -).

Component picture

 6   V   o l      t   

NOTE! Never connec he baery erminals direcly o each oher! The baery and wires could become ho and explode, and he baery will also quickly go dead.

Selector switch Iem no. ������

�

This elecrically connecs wo of he hree conac plugs, depending on he posiion of he swich knob.

Pushbutton Iem no. ������

�

This elecrically connecs he wo erminals when you press he buon.

Connector with � terminals (X-shaped) Iem no. ������

��

Straight connector with � prongs (I-shaped) Iem no. ������ Angled connector with � prongs (L-shaped) Iem no. ������

�

For connecing componens. The meal plugs of oher componens are insered ino he side slis so ha hey are elecrically conneced o each oher as indicaed by he whie lines. In he insrucions, hey are called “X-connectors.” For connecing componens. The wo plugs are elecrically conneced o each oher. In he insrucions, hey are referred o as “I-connectors.”

�

For he elecrical connecion of componens, bu in a way ha guides he curren a a righ angle. Looks like an “L,” hence referred o as an “L-connector”  in he insrucions.

Connector with � prongs (T-shaped) Iem no. ������

�

For elecrical connecions. The hree plugs are elecrically conneced o each oher as indicaed by he whie lines. In he insrucions, hey are referred o as “T-connectors”  due o heir shape.

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› › › KIT CONTENTS

Component name

�

Qty.

Component description

Red bulb (� volts/�� mA) Iem no. ������

�

When curren is flowing hrough i in he proper direcion, his emis red ligh.

Green bulb (� volts/�� mA) Iem no. ������

�

This shines wih a green ligh when curren flows hrough i.

 Yellow bulb (� volts/�� mA) Iem no. ������

�

This shines wih a yellow ligh when curren flows hrough i.

Silicon diode Iem no. ������

�

An elecrical valve ha only allows curren o flow in one direcion, and blocks i in he oher.

Speaker Iem no. ������

�

This convers he alernaing curren oscillaions ino somehing you can hear.

Resistor �� ohms (�� Ω) Iem no. ������

�

Resistor ��� ohms (��� Ω) Iem no. ������

�

Elecrical resisors offer resisance o elecric curren — hence heir name. They are used o regulae he flow of curren. They come in various elecrical magniudes, indicaed in “ohms” (Ω) or “kilohms” (kΩ).

Resistor �.� kilohms (�.� kΩ) Iem no. ������

�

Resisors wih larger values le less curren hrough han ones wih smaller values prined on hem.

Resistor �� kilohms (�� kΩ) Iem no. ������

�

CAUTION! Always use he resisor wih he correc value, as specified in he assembly diagram.

Component picture

56

Component name

Qty.

Component description

Potentiometer (pot) ��� kΩ Iem no. ������

�

A coninuously adjusable resisor wih a maximum resisance of abou ��� kilohms. Informally known as a “po.”

Capacitor � microfarad (� μF) Iem no. ������

�

Capacitor microfarads (�� μF) Iem no. ������

�

Capacitor �� microfarads (�� μF) Iem no. ������

�

Capaciors are used o sore elecrical charges, wih curren flowing when hey charge or discharge. The capaciance of a capacior is ind icaed in “farads.” Capaciors ypically have a small capaciance indicaed in “microfarads” (μF). � microfarad equals one millionh of a farad. Wih our bipolar elecrolyic capaciors, unlike ordinary elecrolyic capaciors like he ���-μF capacior, you don’ have o pay aenion o polariy. The ��-μF capacior has en imes he capaciance of he �-μF capacior. The ��-μF capacior accordingly has �� imes he capaciance.

Electrolyticcapacitor ��� microfarads (��� μF) Iem no. ������

�

120

This capacior has ��� imes he elecriciy sorage capaciy of he �-μF capacior. Always insall i as shown in he circui diagram. WARNING! Pay aenion o he proper polariy (+ and -), or he capacior could ge damaged or migh even explode!

Component picture

Kit Contents CAU TION! en or he AC cly o he batery comparm Ne ver connec he meer dire r 500 μA )! mA o (100 ng seti ng suri rren-mea generaor when i is in is cu oy is sensii ve circuiry.  The srong curren would desr

Component name

Qty.

Component description

Red connecting wire with plugs Iem no. ������

�

For connecing elecronic componens. A he ends, here are plugs ha fi ino he green  X-connecors. Refe rred o as “red wire” for shor in his manual.

Blue connecting wire with plugs Iem no. ������

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For connecing elecronic componens. A he ends, here are plugs ha fi ino he green  X-connecors. Refe rred o as “blue wire” for shor in his manual.

Red connecting wire with plug and alligator clip Iem no. ������

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Blue connecting wire with plug and alligator clip Iem no. ������

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Electrode set Iem no. ������

�

For making elecrical connecions beween componens wihou using plugs. A one end of he wire, here is a plug ha fis ino a green  X-connecor. The alligaor cli p a he oher end “bies igh” ono anoher componen. Referred o as “red alligator wire” for shor in his manual. For making elecrical connecions beween componens wihou using plugs. A one end of he wire, here is a plug ha fis ino a green  X-connecor. The alligaor cli p a he oher end “bies igh” ono anoher componen. Referred o as “blue alligator wire” for shor in his manual. The elecrode se consiss of wo wires. The blue wire has a zinc plae (“zinc elecrode”) a one end, and he red wire has a copper plae (“copper elecrode”).

Component picture

Component name

Qty.

Alternating current generator Iem no. ������

�

Meter Iem no. ������ CAUTION! Be very careful wih his insrumen, and always be sure o follow he insrucions in he manual. Oherwise i could ge damaged.

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Transformer Iem no. ������

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Component description

Component picture

This insrumen will use he baery curren o creae he alernaing curren required for he alernaing curren experimens. You can also use i o conrol he alernaing curren frequency (number of cycles per second). The alernaing curren generaor has a range selecor swich wih hree seings, which you can use o roughly adjus he frequency of he alernaing curren. All he way o he lef is he lowes frequency, all he way o he righ is he highes. Use he dial o adjus he frequency more precisely. You can use his meer o measure volage and curren srengh. I has hree selecable measuremen seings: �� vols (�� V) for volage measuremens, ��� milliamperes (��� mA) for curren srengh measuremens, and ��� microamperes (��� μA) for paricularly weak currens.

AC - Generator

5 

 2  1 0 0

 2 0

10 V

2 50   

10V 500µA

5 0 

100mA

500 µA

100 mA

TIP! Any meer’s display has a cerain amoun of play. Your measuremens may deviae a lile from hose indicaed in he insrucion manual. Insrumen for changing alernaing curren volage. I consiss of hree coils. One is marked “Prim.” (primary coil), he ohers are marked “Sec.” (secondary coil).

Transformer   A

B Prim.

Sec.

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› › › KIT CONTENTS

Component name Relay Iem no. ������

Qty.

�

Component description

Component picture

An elecrically acivaed swich.

Relay S

S

Component name

Qty.

Component description

Elastic iron strip Iem no. ������

�

A springy srip made of iron.

Coil  Iem no. ������

�

Each of hese componens conains several hundred coils of hin copper wire whose ends lead o conac plugs.

Iron core for coils Iem no. ������

�

A long iron core for insering ino he cener hole of a coil.

Iron rod Iem no. ������

�

Thin rods made of iron.

Plastic tube Iem no. ������

�

Transparen ube o keep he bar magne from moving sideways.

pH paper Iem no. ������

�

You can use he pH paper o deermine wheher a soluion is acidic or basic.

Cup Iem no. ������

�

Transparen vessel for he elecrochemical experimens.

Divider Iem no. ������

�

You can use his o separae he insered componens or connecors from each oher wihou bending he plugs. Simply slide i beween he componens and push hem apar.

S B

Electric motor Iem no. ������

�

The moor wih he lile propeller convers curren ino roaional movemen.

Neodymium magnet Iem no. ������ A paricularly srong magne wihou any markings on he poles.

�

WARNING! Swallowed magnes can sick ogeher across inesines causing serious infecions and deah. Seek immediae medical aenion if magne(s) are swallowed or inhaled.

Blue-red bar magnet Iem no. ������

�

Box of iron powder Iem no. ������

�

Finely powdered iron in a sealed conainer. I helps o urn magneic forces ino somehing you can see.

Compass Iem no. ������

�

Compass wih a needle ha moves easily, serving as an indicaor of magneic forces.

 A

Souh

Norh

 0   3  3     0     0     3

   W    N

0

N

E  

     0     7      2

     W

      0       W       4      S       2

    S

    0     1      2     0     8    1

Aluminum tube Iem no. ������

�

�

Tube made of ligh aluminum meal.

3  0  

N    6     E    0      9    0  

  S   1   E   2  0 

  1   0  5

Component picture

Coil

CHECK IT OUT

Volta and Company The names for he mos imporan elecrical unis of measuremen are all based on famous scienific researchers. The godfaher of volage was he Ialian physicis Alessandro Vola (17451827). Among oher hings, he invened he elecrical batery in 1801 and hus provided he firs curren source capable of supplying elecriciy for a susained period of ime. The uni of measuremen for curren goes back o he French physicis André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836), who performed exensive research ino elecrical circuis. The German physicis Georg Simon Ohm (1789-1854) was honored wih he uni of measuremen for elecrical resisance — wih good reason, since he was he one who discovered he relaionship beween volage and curren inside a circui known as “Ohm’s law.”

��

Abbreviations at a glance Ohm ...................... Ω Kilohm .................. kΩ Megohm ............... MΩ Ampere................. A Milliampere ........ mA Microampere ...... µA Farad .................... F Microfarad .......... µF Vol........................ V Millivol ............... mV

The word resistor… … can generally be undersood o mean somehing ha “resiss” he flow of curren — basically he opposie of “conducor.” To an elecrical engineer, i more specifically refers o a componen mean o provide a cerain amoun of resisance wihin a circui. These kinds of resisors — usually, hey look like litle cylinders wih wo erminal wires — come in differen sizes wih differen resisance values, or orders of magniude of resisance. This value is prined on hem in he form of a number or a color code.

Always Changing EXPERIMENT 62

TIP!

Automatic change of light Changing the current’s direction with the selector switches can get little bit tiresome after a while. Fortunately, your experiment kit box contains an alternating current generator to take care of it for you.

 6   V   o l      t   

AC - Generator

The AC generator terminals marked with a “~” supply the alternating current.

HERE’S HOW Start by setting the AC generator’s range selector switch all the way to the left at the lowest setting — the one with just a single wave. Once you’ve turned on the current, you can adjust the speed of the light change by turning the dial at the top.

WHAT’S HAPPENING The AC generator supplies current in a regularly alternating direction. First one diode lets it pass through, then the other. This setting of the range selector switch turns on the slowest frequency range. If you switch to other settings, both bulbs will shine with a fairly weak light. What’s happening is that they are blinking so fast that your eyes can’t keep up.

Connect the AC generator’s positive and negative terminals to the battery compartment. You can then use the selector switch to turn the generator on and off. Keep this same setup for all the alternating current experiments.

HOW THE ALTERNATING CURRENT GENERATOR WORKS

The AC generator is an instrument that produces a weak voltage of about � volts from the battery current. You can then tap the alternating current at the two terminals marked with “~”. The alternating current’s frequency (in other words, the number of alternations per second) can be set to three different levels by using the range selector switch. The range marked with a single wave line (~) is for the slowest frequencies of about �.� hertz (cycles per second) to about � hertz. The middle range (≈) covers around � to ��� hertz, and the upper range ( ) supplies f requencies of  ��� to around �,��� hertz. Within each range, you can use the dial to adjust the desired frequency. The symbols indicate the settings with the lowest and highest frequencies.

��

Current as Chemist EXPERIMENT 115

Electricity from a lemon In all your e xperiments so far, you got electricity from the batteries. Would you like to find out how a battery actually produces electricity?

HERE’S HOW Set the meter to �� volts.

5 

 2  1 0 0

2 5 0 

10 V 500 µA

 2 0

TIP!

10 V

5 0 

500 µA

100 mA

100 mA

After the experiment, clean both electrodes with clean water and dry them carefully with a paper towel.

Insert the copper and zinc electrodes into the lemon a slight distance apart. Don’t let them touch each other! The needle will show a voltage of a little under � volt. Switch to the ���-mA or ���-µA range. A weak current will flow here, too.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Over ��� years ago, the Italian researcher Luigi Galvani observed that two different metals will produce an electrical voltage if they are connected by a conductive liquid. The physicist Alessandro Volta used this observation to construct the first electric battery. As in your experiments, it was made of copper and zinc sheets, but instead of a lemon it used a weak acid.

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