Sources in Series

Project Number: 49

Description: Build the circuit shown. Place the solar cell (B7) in sunlight or close to an incandescent lamp. Set the meter to the 5V setting, but double the reading it shows, since a resistor in the pivot stand converts the scale to 10V. Push the press switch (S2). If the slide switch (S5) is set to position B, then the meter shows the combined battery (B4) and the solar cell (B7) voltage. If it is set to position C, then the meter only shows the solar cell voltage. Vary the light on the solar cell and see how the voltage.

Snappy: The voltage produced will be lower when these sources are running something that needs lots of current, because the solar cell can only produce a small amount of current.