Ohm's Law

PRELAB

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Lab Section #:

The following questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation for the lab.

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1. Multiple Choice

Many people find it easier to imagine electricity as a fluid behaving something like water. With that analogy, imagine that you are rafting down the Colorado river with a whitewater rafting trip. Up ahead the canyon walls narrow (smaller pipe) and the rafting leader stands up and starts to shout. What does he say, and why?
The river's getting faster, hold on.
The river's getting slower, relax.
The river isn't changing, but no potty breaks.

2. Short Answer

Continuing that analogy with electricity and the Colorado river, what is the effect of rapids (resistance) to the flow of water? Does it change the volume (current), the speed (voltage), or something else?

3. Thought Question

Okay, now that the analogy is all straight in your mind, what electrical component would be the equivalent of the Hoover Dam? How about the turbines deep inside the Hoover Dam?

Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's lab (what didn't work, what didn't make sense, what we should spend class time on, what was "cool", etc.):

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT button.