Lab 3: Ohms Law

1. Objective

The purpose of this Lab is to verify Ohm’s Law

2. Equipments

 Breadboard
 1 Power Supply -1
 2 Digital Multimeter
 Resistors:1kΩ ,330Ω

3. Theory

THE BASICS
Back in 1826, George Simon Ohm found that for a given circuit at a given temperature, a
definite ratio existed between the potential difference (voltage) and the current. If the
voltage were doubled without changing the temperature, the current would also be
doubled. This ratio of voltage to current is called the resistance, R, of the circuit. Thus,
V / I = R = a constant
If V is measured in volts, and I is measured in amperes (amps), then R is in ohms. Hence, the
ohm is one volt per ampere. The relation between V, I and R is called Ohm's Law, in
honor of George Simon Ohm. In Other words, Ohm’s Law states that the voltage V
across a resistor is directly proportional to the current I flowing through it. (V=IR)The
law should be familiar in all three of its possible forms:
R=V/I
I=V/R
V=IxR
By extension, we can also calculate the power, P, dissipated by a resistive element:
P=VxI
By simple substitution, we arrive at the other two common expressions for power:
P = V² / R
P = I² x R
4. Pre-Lab

1) Read the theory related to Ohms Law from your Text Book.
2) Simulate the circuit of Figure 1 using Multisim and measure the voltages and currents
as outlined in the procedure and bring the simulation results along with you when you
come for the Lab.

5. Lab Work

5.1 Verification of Ohms Law

 Electric Circuits Lab Manual

1. Measure the value of resistor using DMM as an ohm meter and record it. Rmeas =
2. Construct the circuit as shown in schematic diagram below. Use a DMM for measuring
voltage and another DMM as ammeter for measuring current.

3. Adjust the power supply until V R = 2 V. ( V R is the voltage across the resistor, not the
supply voltage).

4. Measure the value of current I R and record it in Table 1.

5. Repeat the procedures for other values of V R as shown in the table.

6. Plot the curve of I R ( DMM vs. V R using Excel sheet. Take I R ( DMM ) on x-axis and V R
)
on y-axis. Clearly indicate each data point on the graph. Give title and subtitles
wherever necessary. Name the curve as “R = 1 kΩ ”.

∆y ∆V
7. Find the value of resistance from the graph by taking the slope = =R.
∆x ∆I
R practical =

8. Finally, determine the magnitude of percentage difference of measured and practical

value of resistor R using the following formula.

I R ( DMM ) − I R (Calculated )
% Diff = ×100
I R ( DMM )

9. Complete the Table 2.

Figure 1 Verification of Ohm’s Law

6. Measurements and Results

Verification of Ohms Law

(Attach your Excel Graph Sheet here)

Table 1

I R ( DMM (mA)
) I R ( DMM
) (mA)
V R (V)
Multisim Measured

2
 Electric Circuits Lab Manual

Table 2

Method R (Ω )

Measured
(Step 1)
Practical (By
Ohms Law)

Multisim

% Difference

7. Post Lab

Write a suitable conclusion for the experiment (show comparative analysis if any) and answer
the following questions.

Questions:

1. How are the voltmeter and ammeter placed in the circuit to make a correct
measurement?

a) voltmeter
b) ammeter

2. Which meter of the DMM (the voltmeter or Ammeter) forces all the current into the
meter for the measurement? ______________
3. Which meter creates an alternate path for the electrons to follow?
__________________
4. Which meter measures the flow rate of electrons? ______________________
5. Which meter has the largest resistance? ____________ Why?
6. Does the measured value of voltage and current satisfy Ohms Law?
7. Is the calculated value and measured value of current same (in Table 1)? What could be
the source of any discrepancy, if any?