Resistors Foundations of Technology Resistors © 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, STEM Center for Teaching and Learning™ Foundations of Technology Teacher Resource Unit 4 Lesson 4
Objectives: 1.You will build a simple circuit to show that resistors restrict the flow of electrons. 2.You will be able to observe LED’s get dimmer as you increase the resistance in the circuit.
Resistors have color bands on them Colors are called the “color code” 4 bands on each resistor Band 1 = 1 st Digit Band 2 = 2 nd Digit Band 3 = Multiplier. Band 4 = tolerance Gold = 5% Silver = 10%
You will need the following parts from your kit: 1.Breadboard ohms resistor (red, red, brown, gold) ohms resistor (brown, black, red, gold) ohms resistor (orange, orange, red, gold) ohms resistor (blue, gray, red, gold) ohms resistor (brown, blue, orange, gold) LED (light emitting diode) 8.9 volt battery lead 9.1 wire 10.9 volt battery anode cathode Flat side Shorter lead
Use this schematic to construct the experiment. anode cathode anode cathode resistor + - Flow of current 9 volts Quick Check: Your circuit should like this one.
This circuit will light the LED’s. 1.The greater the electron flow the brighter the light. 2.Electrons flow from the battery through the LED’s, then the resistor, then back to the battery. 3.The greater the resistance, the fewer electrons will flow.
1.Start with the 220 ohm resistor in place. 2.Connect the 9 volt battery. 3.Observe the brightness of the LED’s. 4.Disconnect the 9 volt battery. 5.Replace the resistor with the 1000 ohm resistor. 6.Reconnect the 9 volt battery 7.Observe and compare the brightness of the LED’s. 8.Repeat steps 4 through 7 replacing the resistors with the next greater resistor. Troubleshooting: 1.If the LED’ does not light up, check to make sure it is in correctly. 2.Check the battery. Does it have voltage? 3.Are there any breaks in the circuit?
By completing this experiment, you should have noticed the light from the LED’s grew dimmer as you increased the value of the resistors. In complete sentences, write what you learned about resistors in a circuit.