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Resistors are one of the most important basic components of a circuit. With very few exceptions, all circuits have at least one kind of resistor component. An ammeter is a device that measures current flowing through a circuit. Ammeters are always connected to a circuit in series.
Which of the following accurately explains why ammeters must be connected in series within a circuit, and never in parallel?
In order to give accurate readings of current, ammeters have very low resistances. If connected in parallel, the voltage pushing current through the circuit would push a very strong current through the ammeter and virtually no current through the circuit's regular path. This would not only lead to a bad reading of current, but more often than not a broken ammeter. This phenomenon is an indication of why resistors are so important: they limit the current such that a circuit does not exceed its current-carrying capacity.
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A battery is measured to have a potential of 5V. When connected to a wire with no resistors or other components, the voltage measured is 4.9V.
Why was the potential of the battery measured differently when the wire was connected?
All wires have at least some internal resistance. The most likely explanation for this is that the wire is displaying slight resistance, and therefore caused the measured potential to be less than it was before.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Resistors are one of the most important basic components of a circuit. With very few exceptions, all circuits have at least one kind of resistor component. An ammeter is a device that measures current flowing through a circuit. Ammeters are always connected to a circuit in series.
Which of the following accurately explains why ammeters must be connected in series within a circuit, and never in parallel?
In order to give accurate readings of current, ammeters have very low resistances. If connected in parallel, the voltage pushing current through the circuit would push a very strong current through the ammeter and virtually no current through the circuit's regular path. This would not only lead to a bad reading of current, but more often than not a broken ammeter. This phenomenon is an indication of why resistors are so important: they limit the current such that a circuit does not exceed its current-carrying capacity.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
A battery is measured to have a potential of 5V. When connected to a wire with no resistors or other components, the voltage measured is 4.9V.
Why was the potential of the battery measured differently when the wire was connected?
All wires have at least some internal resistance. The most likely explanation for this is that the wire is displaying slight resistance, and therefore caused the measured potential to be less than it was before.
Compare your answer with the correct one above