Please justify well.
2007-02-03 17:48:46 · 6 answers · asked by Leo 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The answers above mine are basically correct, but I think they over-complicate the issue.
The basic reason is simply the definition of current and voltage in series and parallel circuits:
In a series circuit, the current is identical through all elements. Since you want the ammeter to read the amount of current in the circuit, you connect it in series with the rest of the circuit and the current through the ammeter will be identical to the current through the rest of the circuit.
In a parallel circuit, the voltage is identical through all legs (paths) of the circuit. Therefore, by connecting the voltmeter in parallel with the rest of the circuit, the voltage across the voltmeter is identical to the voltage across the other legs of the circuit.
2007-02-03 18:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by Mustela Frenata 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are basically galvanometers that sense the flow of charge. An ammeter has to capture the flow of current, all the current, so you have to put it in series.
Voltmeter measures the potential difference. So we connect it across the lines between which we want to measure the voltage. It has a large resistance, the current flowing through it is a small value and is proportional to the voltage.
2007-02-03 18:21:12 · answer #2 · answered by insolver 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very simple:
You can not measure current in parallel, you can only pass electrons and current through an ammeter in series to get a reading. Locomotive or current flow excites the resistive load inside the ammeter.
voltage, is different. You can read AC or DC with your test lead parallel and get a voltage reading
Both test instruments are designed different for different functions.
2007-02-03 18:02:27 · answer #3 · answered by John P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becase if you placed a amp meter in parallel you would only read tha amps it took for the resistance of the meter. And voltage is only read across somthing for instance if a fuse is blown it will have voltage from top to bottom.But if its good it will have voltage but will not be read because it dont have a broken path.
2007-02-04 05:11:48 · answer #4 · answered by Ernest B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Current flows through a wire and we need to measure it in series since current is same. Similiarly we say as "voltage across a wire" and not as voltage through a wire. Voltage remains constant in parallel connections.
If U need further info.refer the book 'Basic Electronics' by V.K.Mehta.
2007-02-03 18:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by Ayshu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it like this. Ameter measures flow. So to measure the flow, you have to force it to go through the meter. Volts is like a measure of pressure. So you have to have to points to compare.
Edit: An ideal ammenter has 0 internal resistance. An ideal volt meter has infinite resistance.
2007-02-03 17:58:12 · answer #6 · answered by nicewknd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋