Experiment No.

5
Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Objective

To determine the equivalent resistance of resistors connected in series and in parallel

Procedures
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the diagram. Have the circuit checked by your
instructor.

2. Take note of how the ammeter is connected. This will measure the total current passing
through the circuit. Close the switch and record the current.
3. Close the switch of the battery pack. Remove the ammeter and place it after each
resistor to measure the current passing through each resistor. Close the switch and
measure the current.
4. Connect the voltmeter on both ends of the resistor network to measure the total
voltage droop across the combination. Then adjust the connection to measure the
voltage drop across each resistor.
5. Connect the circuit as shown in the diagram. This time, the resistors are connected in
parallel.

6. Measure the total current passing through and the voltage drop across the combination.
Also, measure the current passing through each resistor as well as the voltage drop
across each resistor.
7. Use V = IR to solve for the resistance values.
Table 1. Resistors in Series
I (A)

V (V)

R ()

I (A)

V (V)

R ()

R1
R2
Total
Table 1. Resistors in Parallel
R1

R2
Total