Experiment 2 - Batteries in a Series Circuit II

Not only the voltage of two identical batteries add up in a series circuit. This rule also applies to more than two or for different types of batteries. Try this out yourself.

Three AA batteries can be found frequently in small electronic devices such as remote controls or toys. The batteries are connected in a series circuit, which generates a voltage of 4.5 volts...

U_total = U₁ + U₂ + U₃ = 1.5 V + 1.5 V + 1.5 V = 4.5 V

The rule also applies to series circuits that use two or more different types of batteries. That you can easily understand this with the experiment shown...

Circuit diagram of three batteries in series.

U_total = U₁ + U₂ = 9.0 V + 1.5 V = 10.5 V

Series Circuit of two batteries with different voltages. (Enlarge)

Circuit diagram of two different batteries in series.

In practice, almost never different types of batteries are connected in a series circuit. The batteries used in the experiment have very different capacities. Why is this a problem, you find out later.

Experiment 3 - Series Circuit III