Introduction

In this lab, we will understand the very basics of circuit analysis. We will connect some series
circuits and analyze them using Multisim as well on hardware. We will observe the effect of
varying resistance on current while keeping voltage constant. We will also analyze the current
in a series circuit and the effect of varying voltage on current. So our objective for this lab is
to understand and analyze series circuit and the dependence of current, voltage and resistance
on each other. The objective of lab also to be familiar with Multisim and

Theory
Resistance in Series
Components of an electrical circuit or electronic circuit can be connected in many different
ways. The two simplest of these are called series and parallel and occur frequently.
Components connected in series are connected along a single path, so the same current flows
through all of the components. A circuit composed solely of components connected in series
is known as a series circuit. In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is
the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component.
Following circuit shows resistance in series.

Figure 1.1
Relationship between current, voltage and resistance
Voltage or electric potential difference in the context of Ohm's or Kirchhoff's laws is the
difference in electric potential energy between two points per unit electric charge. An electric
current is a flow of electric charge. In electric circuits this charge is often carried by moving
electrons in a wire. It can also be carried by ions in an electrolyte, or by both ions and
electrons. Finally, the electrical resistance of an electrical conductor is a measure of the
difficulty to pass an electric current through that conductor. The inverse quantity is electrical
conductance, and is the ease with which an electric current passes.
Ohms law is the basic law that governs the relationship between voltage, current and
resistance. Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two points is
directly proportional to the voltage across the two points. Introducing the constant of
proportionality, the resistance, one arrives at the usual mathematical equation that describes
this relationship.
V=IR
where I is the current through the conductor in units of amperes, V is the voltage measured
across the conductor in units of volts, and R is the resistance of the conductor in units of
ohms. More specifically, Ohm's law states that the R in this relation is constant, independent
of the current.

Figure 1.2
The above equation best explains the relationship between voltage, current and resistance. If
voltage is kept constant and the resistance is doubled, the current is halved and vice versa. If
the resistance is tripled the current becomes one third and so on. If the resistance is kept
constant and voltage is increased the current also increases proportionally and vice versa.
There is a direct relationship between voltage and current.

Results
Part 1: Resistance in Series
1. Calibrate the ohmmeter and measure the 3 resistors
R1 = 998 ohm
R2 = 995 ohm
R3= 989 ohm

Figure 1
 2. Measure resistance from A to B
Circuit no. Rab(ohms)
Circuit 1 993 ohms
Circuit 2 1988 ohms
Circuit 3 2970
Table 1

Part 2: Controlling current by varying resistance

1. Use Multisim to simulate circuit 4,5,6.
Multisim Simulation
Circuit 4
XMM1

R1
V1 1k
6V

Circuit 5
XMM1

R1 R2

1k 1k
V1
6V

Circuit 6
XMM1

R3
R1 R2
1k
V1 1k 1k
6V
 3. Record the value of current in circuit 4,5 and 6 in the table.
Circuit no. Resistance (Table 1) Voltage (V) Current(mA)
(ohms) Circuit 4
Circuit 4 993 6 5.93
Circuit 5 1988 5.8 3.08
Circuit 6 2977 6.1 2.05
Table 2

Part 3: Current in a series circuit

1. Find the value of current in various location in circuit 6 and list them in table 3
Location of multimeter Current (mA)
Original Location 2.1
Between R1 and R2 2.1
Between R2 and R3 2.1
Between R3 and common 2.1
Table 3

Part 4: Controlling current by varying voltage

1. Connect circuit and find current by vary input voltage and list the voltage and current
values across the resistor in the table.
Voltage (V) Current (mA)
8 8.41
6 6.3
4 4.13
2 2.11
0 0
Table 4

5. Make a graph of the values in the table

Y-Values
9

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Multisim Simulations
 XMM1

XMM2

R1
1k
V1
8V

XMM3

XMM4

R2
1k
V2
6V

XMM5

XMM6

R3
1k
V3
4V

XMM7

XMM8

R4
1k
V4
2V
 V5

0V

XMM10

R5

1k
XMM9

Laboratory Questions
Part 1: Resistance in Series
3. Write a summary statement concerning resistance in series.
When resistances are connected in series, the total resistance offered is the sum of all
the resistance connected in series.
Part 2: Controlling current by varying resistance
8. Write a statement concerning controlling current by varying resistance.
By increasing resistance, the current decreases when the voltage is kept constant.
When the resistance was doubled the current halved and when it was increased to
three times the current decreased to one third of the initial current.
Part 3: Current in a series circuit
4. Write a summary concerning controlling current in a series circuit.
The current in constant in series in a circuit. It remains the same at every point in
series.
Part 4: Controlling current by varying voltage
6. Write a summary statement concerning current in series circuit.
When the voltage is reduced the current also reduced given that the resistance is kept. The
graph of voltage and current is a straight line indicating that they are directly proportional
to each other.
Part 5: Questions
1. How is milliammeter connected to measure current?
 It is connected in series in circuit to measure current.
2. What precautions must be observed while measuring current?
First of it must be connected in series. If connected in parallel it may be damaged due
to the flow of high current. Secondly, it must be connected depending on the correct
scale on the DMM. For current in amperes, it must be on the relevant scale for the
measurement of the current
3. An ohmmeter must never be connected in circuit carrying current. Why?
Ohmmeter measures the resistance by applying a small voltage and producing a
deflection according to the current flowing through it. If it is connected in a circuit
carrying firstly it will not give the correct reading and if the current is large enough it
may damage it.
4. Write a short statement concerning current, voltage and resistance in a series circuit
and relationship of current and voltage with constant resistance.
The voltage and current are directly proportional to each other. Increase in one
quantity causes increase in the other and vice versa provided that the resistance is
constant. Best way to explain it is by ohms law
V= I R

Conclusion
In this lab, we observed that resistance in series act as a single of the value which is equal to
the sum of the values of the resistance connected in series. Keeping the voltage constant, the
current increases by decreasing current and vice versa. Current in a series circuit is same
throughout and voltage and current are directly proportional to each other. I short, we studied
the relationship between current, voltage and resistance and this relationship is explained by
Ohms law which is
V= I R

References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistance_and_conductance