Cell Connection Bench

Join 1.5 V cells in different ways and see what changes. Read the voltmeter with the load OFF, then switch the 10 Ω bulb ON and fast-forward time.

Voltmeter across the pack

0.00 V

Ammeter (load current)

0 mA

Each cell supplies: – Bulb brightness

Bulb off How long the pack lasts (2000 mAh cells)

–

Voltage stairs

Stack them up = SERIESEach cell is a 1.5 V step. Stacking steps makes the stairs taller: 3 cells in series give 4.5 V. More voltage pushes more current through the load.

Put them side by side = PARALLELThe height stays 1.5 V, but the cells share the work. Each one gives less current, so the pack lasts much longer.

Cell connections (1.5 V cells, load = 10 Ω)

Connection	Cells	Open-circuit V (V)	Load current (mA)	On-load V (V)

Compare your results

Conclusion: series adds voltage; parallel adds current capacity (each cell works less, so it lasts longer).