Vernier Circuit Board User Manual
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Circuits with the DC bulbs
Using the DC bulbs that are included, you can perform a variety of qualitative
battery and bulb investigations, such as:
Investigate the brightness of the #50 bulb and the #48 bulb when separately
powered by the same voltage.
Use the #48 2.0 V bulb with the internal 3 VDC power to investigate the lamp
brightness when lamps are connected in series circuits. Please note that even
though the #48 volt is rated at 2.0 V it will function properly with 3 VDC.
Use the #48 2.0 V bulb with the internal 3 VDC power to investigate the lamp
brightness when lamps are connected in parallel circuits.
Quantify the above investigations by measuring current and voltage in these
circuits.
Ohm’s Law
You can use the 10
and 51 resistors on the circuit board to determine the
mathematical relationship between current, potential difference, and resistance. This
experiment is described in the Ohm’s Law experiment in Physics with Computers
and Physics with Calculators. During the activity, the student is instructed to use a
light bulb instead of a resistor. The #50 7.5 V bulb included in this kit will work fine
for that part of the lab.
Series and Parallel Circuits
Experiment 26–Series and Parallel Circuits in Physics with Computers and Physics
with Calculators investigates current flow in series and parallel circuits. It also
investigates the voltage throughout series and parallel circuits. You can use the 10
,
51
and 68 resistors found on the Vernier Circuit Board to perform these
investigations.
Charging and Discharging Capacitors
Experiment 27–Capacitors in Physics with Computers and Physics with Calculators
investigates charging and discharging of capacitors. It uses the 10
F non-polarized
capacitor found on this circuit board. The capacitor is used in combination with a 22
k
resistor and a 47 k resistor, and switch SW2, all found on the circuit board, to
create two different RC circuits.
Analog Out
If you are using a LabPro interface, you can use the analog output of the channel
CH4. The analog output is limited to 100 mA. With the appropriate computer or
calculator software, you can drive a signal through the #48 2.0 V bulb (cylindrical
body), which is rated at 60 mA. Please note that the analog output of LabPro can
deliver 4 V. Running the #48 bulb at 4 V may reduce the bulb lifetime. If you want
to explore these capabilities with a computer, use Logger Pro 3.2 or newer.
Information about this software can be found on our web site. If you are interested in
using the analog out with a TI graphing calculator, a calculator program called
FunctGen is available and can be downloaded from our web site.
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Warranty
Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the customer. This warranty
does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse or improper use.
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 S.W. Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free (888) 837-6437
(503) 277-2299 FAX (503) 277-2440
www.vernier.com
Rev.4/17/06
Logger Pro, Vernier LabPro, Go!
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