Voltmeter is connected in parallel
Join the voltmeter across the two points.
Measuring the push across a bulb
A voltmeter is an instrument that measures the potential difference between two points of a circuit. We want it to show the potential difference between the two ends of a bulb.
How should the voltmeter be joined?
What this lesson covers
The idea
A voltmeter measures potential difference and is always connected in parallel across the points between which the potential difference is to be measured.
Measuring the push across a bulb
A voltmeter is an instrument that measures the potential difference between two points of a circuit. We want it to show the potential difference between the two ends of a bulb.
How should the voltmeter be joined?
- Across the two ends of the bulb, as a side path
- In the path of the current, one after the other with the bulb
- Anywhere far from the bulb, with only one wire
Where the voltmeter goes
Press Next step to put a voltmeter across the bulb and then compare it with the ammeter.
Across, not in line
The two wires of the voltmeter start from the two ends of the bulb, the two points whose potential difference we want. Joined this way, the meter is in parallel with the bulb.
A voltmeter measures potential difference and is always connected in parallel across the points between which the potential difference is to be measured.
Notes
A voltmeter measures potential difference and is always connected in parallel across the points being measured.
Check yourself
How is a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference across a bulb?
What does a voltmeter measure?
Which pair of statements is correct?
- In series, in the path of the current. A voltmeter is always connected in parallel. A series connection is how an ammeter is joined.
- In parallel, across the two ends of the bulb — correct. Yes!
- To one end of the bulb only, with the other wire left free. The potential difference is between two points, so both wires of the voltmeter go to the two points, one to each end of the bulb.
- The current through the bulb. Current is measured by an ammeter, connected in series.
- The charge of one electron. A voltmeter reads the potential difference between the two points it is joined across.
- The potential difference between two points — correct. Yes!
- An ammeter is joined in series and a voltmeter is joined in parallel — correct. Yes!
- An ammeter is joined in parallel and a voltmeter is joined in series. It is the other way round. An ammeter is always in series and a voltmeter is always in parallel.
- Both meters are joined in series. Only the ammeter is joined in series. A voltmeter is joined in parallel across the points.