The discussion revolves around the behavior of ceiling lights connected in a parallel circuit, particularly focusing on the implications of one bulb burning out on the brightness of the remaining bulbs. Participants are preparing for a science exam and are exploring concepts related to electrical circuits.
The discussion is active, with participants raising questions and providing insights about circuit behavior. Some guidance has been offered regarding the independence of branches in a parallel circuit and the implications of using batteries versus mains voltage. Multiple interpretations of the effects of bulb failure are being explored.
Participants express concerns about exam preparation and the clarity of concepts related to voltage sources and resistance in circuits. There is an emphasis on understanding the behavior of circuits under different conditions, particularly with respect to battery-powered versus mains-powered scenarios.
Celluhh said:it shouldn't affect right?
That is true. Emphasise how, with parallel branches, the current through each branch is independent of that through the others, because the arrangement causes the full mains voltage to be applied across each branch.Celluhh said:erm well the voltage supplied to each of both bulbs doesn't change and their resistance doesn't change either which is why the current and brightness of the bulbs do not change. is this correct?
That's true, as far as it goes. But if the voltmeter did draw a lot of current, then, in general, it will affect the voltage that is powering the bulb. This won't happen with mains voltage, but is likely to happen where you are using batteries or lower-power sources. To ensure that you can connect a voltmeter to practically any circuit, and be confident that it will not upset that circuit, voltmeters are designed to have a high resistance.Celluhh said:why does a voltmeter have to have high resistance? shouldn't it not affect the brightness of the bulb in the circuit at all cos it is connected in parallel to the bulb?
NascentOxygen said:That's true, as far as it goes. But if the voltmeter did draw a lot of current, then, in general, it will affect the voltage that is powering the bulb. This won't happen with mains voltage, but is likely to happen where you are using batteries or lower-power sources.
Because no voltage source is perfect. It's as though they have a smallish resistor in series with their terminals. If you cause more current to be drawn from the source, the voltage it supplies decreases by a bit.Celluhh said:but why would it affect?
NascentOxygen said:Because no voltage source is perfect. It's as though they have a smallish resistor in series with their terminals. If you cause more current to be drawn from the source, the voltage it supplies decreases by a bit.
Celluhh said:oh so now your viewing it as overall resistance in a parallel circuit? by the way, how do we know when to view the total resistance in the circuit and when to view the individual reisistance of the sub circuits?
NascentOxygen said:Yes, the imperfection in a voltage source appears like a small series resistor; it's in series with whatever circuit you connect to the battery. Most of the time, you can ignore it because its effect is generally slight. But the designer needs to keep it in mind, to ensure it doesn't become a significant problem.
Generally you only consider the resistors that you are told about, in school science questions.
NascentOxygen said:Going back to your original question. If one of the ceiling bulbs burns out, the others will continue glowing unaffected.
But if you were powering 3 small light bulbs off a couple of C cells, and one of the bulbs burnt out, you would probably notice the other two glow a tiny bit brighter, because with fewer bulbs to power, the battery would be supplying slightly more voltage. That's a characteristic of batteries: the more current you draw from them, the lower (slightly) the voltage the battery puts out.
The one you gave earlier on. If one of the ceiling bulbs burns out, the others will continue glowing unaffected for the reasons you gave.Celluhh said:hmm ok but what's the proper answer i should give if this were an exam question?