Lab 4: Voltage Divider Rule

1. Verify by measurement, the voltages between various points in a series circuit:

a) Connect the circuit.
R1

1.8k

R2
2.2k

C
R3
4.7k
V1
18 V

R4
3.3k

R5
R6
5.6k

Figure 1

1.2k

b)
Resistor

Measured Voltage(V)

Theoretical Voltage(V)
VR1

R1=1.8K

1.73V

1.8 K
18
18.8 K
1.723V

VR 2
R2=2.2K

2.12V

4.42V

R2
Vs
RT

2.2 K
18
18.8K
2.106V

VR 3
R3=4.7K

R1
Vs
RT

R3
Vs
RT

4.7 K
18
18.8 K
4.5V

VR 4
R4=3.3K

3.14V

3.3K
18
18.8K
3.16V

VR 5
R5=1.2K

1.19V

R5
Vs
RT

1.2 K
18
18.8K
1.15V

VR 6
R6=5.6K

R4
Vs
RT

5.39V

R6
Vs
RT

5.6 K
18
18.8K
5.36V

Table 1: Measure voltage and theoretical voltage

c) Properly label these measured voltage drops on each resistor in the figure below. Mark
the polarity (+ or -) of the voltage drop on each resistor.
R1

+
1.8k -

B
R2
2.2k

+
-

4.7k
V1
18 V

R3
C

R4
D
3.3k

+
R5
E

R6

1.2k

5.6k

+
F

d) Assume that

VCD VDE VCE

. From the DMM, the Voltage for Vce is 7.58V. Therefore,

from the result above, the value is approximately the same with the measured value.
VCD VDE VCE
4.42 3.14 VCE
VCE 7.56
e) Measured and record the value.
By using DMM,
VAC 3.85V
VCA 3.85V
VDG 9.70V

(Opposite polarity)

VEA 11.23V
VAC 10.85V

(Opposite polarity)

VCG 14.13V

2. Measuring voltage in respect to ground,

a) Connect the circuit.

b) Measured and record the voltage drop across each resistor.

RT R1 R2 R3 R4
RT 2.2 K 1.8 K 4.7 K 3.3K
RT 12 K
Voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)

Theoretical voltage(V)
VR1

VAB VR1

2.79

R1
VT
RT
2.2 K
15V
12 K

2.75V
VR 2
VBC VR 2

2.27

R2
VT
RT
1.8 K
15V
12 K

2.25V
VCD VR 3

5.76

VR 3

R3
VT
RT
4.7 K
15V
12 K

5.88V

VDE VR 4

4.13

VR 4

R4
VT
RT
3.3K
15V
12 K

4.13V
Table 2: Measured voltage and theoretical voltage

Therefore, mark the polarity of the voltage drop on each resistor.

Figure 2

c) Measured and record the voltage at each of the point A B C D E.

VD 4.16V
VC 9.88V
VB 12.17V
VA 14.99V
VE 0V
d) Measured the voltage at all points (A, B, C, D, E) in respect to this new reference point.
Record the measured value.
Figure 2B

V A =14.97V
V A =14.97V
V B =11.08 V
V B =6.73 V
V C =7.92 V
V C =0 V
V D =0 V
V D =0 V
V E =0 V
V E =0 V

R1
2.2k

R2
1.8k
V1
15 V
R3
4.7k

R4
3.3k

Figure 2C

R1
2.2k

V A =14.97V
R2
1.8k
V1
15 V

V B =0 V
V C =0 V

R3
4.7k

V D =0 V
R4

V E =0 V

3.3k

Figure 2D

V A =0 V
V B =0 V
V C =0 V
V D =0 V
V E =0 V
6

R1
2.2k
R2
1.8k
V1
15 V
R3
4.7k

R4
3.3k

Figure 2E

3. Use the voltage divider rule (VDR) developed in procedure 1:

a) Calculate the voltage at each point A, B, C, D, E for figure 2B.
Voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)
V

V
B

Theoretical voltage(V)
VA VS 15

14.97

11.08

V B=

R2 + R3
V S
R 1 + R 2+ R 3

1.8+4.7
15
2.2+1.8+ 4.7
11.21

V
C

7.92

V C=

R3
V S
R1 +R2 +R3

4.7
15
2.2+1.8+ 4.7
8.10

V
D

V
E

Table 3: Voltage drop across each point at figure 2B

b) Figure 2C,
Voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)
V

V
B

Theoretical voltage(V)
VA VS 15

14.97

11.08

V B=

R2
VS
R 1+ R 2

1.8
15
2.2+1.8
6.75 V

V
C

V
D

V
E

Table 4: Voltage drop across each point at figure 2C

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Figure 2D:
Voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)

Theoretical voltage(V)

14.97

VA VS 15

VB

V
C

V
D

V
E

Table 4: Voltage drop across each point at figure 2D

Figure 2E:
Voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)
V

Theoretical voltage(V)

VB

V
C

V
D

V
E

Table 4: Voltage drop across each point at figure 2E

4. Design a voltage divider:

a) Using VDR in the form that solves for resistance R.

Figure 3

RT R1 R2 R3 R4
RT 1.2k 5.6k 3.3k 9.1k
RT 19.2k

According to the formula,

Voltage drop across

VR1

R1

R1
VS
RT

(12 10)

R1
12
19.2k

R1 3.2k

Voltage drop across

VR 2

R2

R2
VS
RT

(10 4.25)

R2
12
19.2k

R2 9.1k

Voltage drop across

VR 3

R3

R3
VS
RT

(4.25 0.75)

R3
12
19.2k

R3 5.6k

Voltage drop across

R4

10

VR 4

R4
VS
RT

(0.75 0)

R4
12
19.2k

R4 1.2k

b) Connect the resistors in the progression developed in step 4a.

3.3 k
9.1 k

5.6 k

1.2 k

Figure 4

c) Measure the voltage at points A, B, C, and D.

Voltage

Theoretical voltage(V)

Measured voltage(V)

VA

0.75

0.73

VB

4.25

4.33

Vc

10

9.96

VD

12

12.03

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Conclusion
In conclusion, voltage divider rule was used in this lab. In any given series circuit, the
current flows through each circuit element is the same. If fixed resistors are used, then
the voltage drops will be fixed and will be directly proportional to the ratio of the resistor
sizes. If a reference point is established, it is then possible to measure the voltage at all
other points in the circuit, with respect to ground.

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