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Topic: Measuring Current in Cu/Zn electric cell  (Read 9410 times)

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Foomanchu

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Measuring Current in Cu/Zn electric cell
« on: July 29, 2004, 12:21:58 AM »
How do you measure the current from a copper/zinc voltaic cell? Hooking a voltmeter in series with the electrodes shows a potential difference, but no current is shown when hooking up an ammeter in the same way.  If I insert a small resistor as a load in series with an ammeter, will I get a current?
Thanks for any help

Gary

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Re:Measuring Current in Cu/Zn electric cell
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2004, 01:51:55 AM »
If it showed a potential it should show a current? I'm sure the P-Chem masters will sort it out.
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Corvettaholic

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Re:Measuring Current in Cu/Zn electric cell
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2004, 11:37:46 AM »
You can't measure voltage and amperage the same way. The way I always measure stuff, I put ammeter's in series, and voltmeters in parallel. Maybe I got it backwards cause its been a while since I'm measured anything, but I know for a fact you don't measure them the same way. Also, good idea about putting the resistor in there, having a load is important.

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