[ML68] Measuring Voltages

M3D MeasureLab MeasureLab Grade 6
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Grade 6 - Session 8: “Digital Measurements”

Session Architect: Aleeza Ayaz and Shayaan Haider - Markhor3D
Session Length: 50-60 minutes

Session Overview:

In this session, students will dive into the basics of electricity by exploring the concept of voltage and its role in electrical circuits. They will learn how voltage differs from current and how it relates to electrical potential. Using the voltage probe in MeasureLab, students will measure and analyze the voltages of different batteries and electronic components, connecting these readings to everyday objects and devices. Through hands-on activities, they will understand how digital tools like voltage probes help measure electrical values and gain insights into the practical application of voltage differences in circuits.

Learning Objectives:

In this session, students will:

  1. PC/Laptop to display measurement and live plot
  2. Learn what voltage is and how it relates to electrical potential.
  3. Understand the difference between voltage and current in electrical circuits.
  4. Use the voltage probe in MeasureLab to measure the voltages of different batteries and electronic components.
  5. Explore how digital tools like voltage probes help us measure electrical values in everyday objects.
  6. Record and analyze voltage readings from various components to understand voltage differences.

Equipment Required:

  1. MeasureLab with a built-in voltage probe.
  2. Different batteries (e.g., 1.5, 9V).
  3. Basic electronic components (e.g., resistors, small motors, LEDs).
  4. Laptop or PC to display voltage readings.
  5. Worksheet for recording voltage measurements.
  6. Pens, pencils, markers, etc.

Teacher Resource:

MeasureLab Manual User Manual

Session File: ML68.plf (55.8 KB)

Preparation:

This step has to be done before the session on each workstation/apparatus by the teacher/session instructor:

  1. Make sure that each computer has Physlogger installed and can detect the Measurelab when connected to it using the provided cable.
  2. Each Measurelab should have access to a power outlet for sensors that require external power.
  3. Connect the Crocodile-to-Crocodile Plug in the following ports:

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  1. Launch the Physlogger application and load the session file provided in the resources section.

Your setup will look something like this:

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Introduction and Hands-On Exploration: (35 minutes)

Engaging Students with Everyday Examples of Voltage and Current:

  • You may start by asking:

“Has anyone noticed how the light in a flashlight gets dimmer when the batteries are running low? or How a toy car gets slower when it’s out of battery.”

  • Let students share their experiences.

  • You may explain:

“That little zap you feel is caused by voltage. Voltage is like the pressure that pushes electricity through the wires or components in a circuit. Today, we’re going to measure how much voltage is in different batteries and electronic parts.”

What is Voltage and Current?

  • You may continue by explaining:

“Think of voltage like water pressure in a hose. If you turn the faucet on a little, the water trickles out slowly. But if you turn it all the way up, the water gushes out fast. Voltage is like that pressure—it’s the force that makes electricity flow. The higher the voltage, the stronger the push.”

  • You may then explain current:

“Now, the electricity that actually flows through the wires is called current. If voltage is the pressure pushing the water through the hose, current is how much water is flowing. So, the voltage is how hard the electricity is being pushed, and current is how much of it is moving.”

  • Summing up:

“Voltage is the push, and current is the flow. Both work together to make electricity move through circuits, like in your toys or electronics.”

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Setting Up the Voltage Probe to Measure Batteries:

  1. Introduction to Voltage Measurement:

    • You may say:

“Now that we know voltage is the push that moves electricity, let’s use a voltage probe to measure the voltage in different batteries. We’ll see how much electrical pressure each battery has.”

  1. Setting Up the Voltage Probe:

    • Attach the voltage probe to MeasureLab.
    • Show students how to properly connect the voltage probe’s connectors to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

Step 1: Running the Experiment

  1. Measuring the Voltage of Batteries:

    • You may ask:

“What do you think will happen when we measure the voltage of a new battery versus an old one? Which one will have more voltage?”

  • Let students make predictions and record them on their worksheet.

  • Have students take turns measuring the voltages of different batteries (e.g., AA, AAA, 9V).

    • Attach the voltage probe leads to the terminals of each battery.
    • Record the voltage reading displayed on the MeasureLab live plot or screen.

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Step 2: Exploring Voltage in Electronic Components

  1. Measuring Voltage in Simple Components:

    • You may say:
      “Next, let’s measure the voltage across different electronic components, like resistors and small motors. We’ll see how voltage changes as electricity moves through different parts of a circuit.”

    • Students can take turns connecting the voltage probe to the components and measuring the voltage.

  • You may ask:

“What do you notice about the voltage across different components? Does the voltage stay the same, or does it change?”

“Yes it changes!, this is called the Voltage Drop across the component, or in simpler terms the voltage the component uses to work.”

  1. Recording Data:

    • Students will record the voltage readings from each component on their worksheet.
Component Measured Voltage
New AA Battery
Watch Battery
Old AA Battery
Small Motor
Resistor
LED Bulb

Guided Activity and Follow-up Questions: (15-20 minutes):

  1. Analyzing Voltage Readings:

    • You may ask:

“Which battery had the highest voltage? Why do you think the old battery had a lower voltage than the new one?”

  1. Real-Life Connection:

    • You may ask:
      • “What happens to your phone when the battery voltage gets low? Why do you think voltage is important for making electronics work?”
      • “Which component used the most voltage? Which used the least voltage?”
      • “If the battery supplied less voltage than the required voltage, what will happen?”

  2. Understanding the Data:

    • You may guide students in comparing the voltages they measured with their predictions.
    • Ask them to consider why different components had different voltages.

Summary and Reflection: (5-10 minutes):

  • You may summarize:

“Today, we learned about voltage, the force that pushes electricity through circuits. We measured voltages in batteries and electronic components, and we saw how different components have different voltage levels.”

  • You may conclude with a real-life connection:

“Next time you use your phone or a flashlight, think about how voltage is making the electricity flow and keeping your devices powered up.”

Ensure that the wires to the components and the MeasureLab are connected in correct polarity to ensure positive voltage shown on the live plot.

Glossary:

  1. Voltage: The force that pushes electricity through a circuit.
  2. Current: The flow of electricity through a circuit.
  3. Voltage Sensor: A tool used to measure voltage in a circuit or battery.
  4. Electrical Potential: The potential energy that pushes electrical charges through a circuit.
  5. Circuit: A path that allows electricity to flow.
  6. Voltage Drop: Voltage drop is the loss of electrical energy as electricity flows through a part of a circuit. It shows how much energy is used to do work.