Experiment 1

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to find actual and theoretical resistance of given resistors and compare them.

Theory
𝑰
𝑶𝒉𝒎′ 𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒘 ∶ 𝑽 =
𝑹

1. The most fundamental law in electricity is Ohm’s law or V=I/R. The V is for voltage, which is the potential
difference between two charges.
2. Another main component of Ohm’s law is current, the units of which are Amperes. In the formula, current is
represented by letter I. Current is the measurement of the flow of charge in a circuit.
3. Letter R which represents Resistance, Electrical resistance, measured in Ohms, is the measure of the amount
of current repulsion in a circuit while resistance resists current flow. When electrons flow against the
opposition offered by resistance in the circuit, friction occurs and heat is produced.

4. Actual resistance can be calculated by multimeter and theoretical resistance of resistors is determined by
color coding method. Resistance of different colors along with tolerance is given below:
Equipment

Procedure

1. Insert battery in the circuit and check all joints.

2. Randomly collect three resistors and label them as Resistor#1, Resistor#2, Resistor#3.

3. Connect two ends of resistor with multimeter to calculate theocratical resistance and record in table as Rth.

4. Now connect Resistor#1 in the circuit.

5. Calculate Potential Difference (V) across resistor and record that in table and record it as Vexp.

6. Now measure current (I) in the circuit and record it as Iexp .

7. Use Ohm’s law to find Resistance by formula 𝑅𝑒𝑥𝑝 = 𝑉𝑒𝑥𝑝/𝐼𝑒𝑥𝑝 .

8. Repeat these steps for other two resistors.

9. Compare both theoretical and actual resistances and find error.

Table

Ω Ω

Ω Ω

Ω Ω
Discussions
To determine the precision and accuracy of the experiment, we will calculate the percentage relative
uncertainty and percentage relative error.

Resistor#1

|Theotaical Resistance−Final Resistance|

Percentage error = ( ) × 100
Fincal Resistance
|10,000 Ω − 10,000|
Percentage error = ( ) × 100
10,000

Resistor#2

|22,000 Ω − 22,500Ω|
Percentage error = ( ) × 100
22,000

Resistor#3

|560 Ω − 570Ω|
Percentage error = ( ) × 100
560Ω
As all our percentage values are less than 10% and close to theoretical values hence our results are accurate

Discussions

We can improve our readings by switching off the circuit when not in use, in order to avoid extra resistance
when is generated due to heat. This extra heat can cause error in our readings.

Another important thing to remember during the experiment is the polarity, to get accurate reading align the
positive of multimeter with positive terminal on circuit.

While using multimeter, keep in mind the configuration for current and voltage. Don’t use voltage configuration
for current.

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to verify ohm’s law.

Theory

As ohm’s law states that V=IR, and it can be written as I=V/R. We will investigate this law by keeping the voltage
constant and determining the effect of change of resistance on current.

Equipment required

1. AC/DC Electronics Lab Board: Wire Leads

2. D-cell Battery
3. Multimeter
Graph Paper

Procedure

1. Choose one of the resistors that you have been given. Using the chart on the next page, decode the resistance
value and record that value in the resistance column.
2. Construct the circuit as shown in the figure 3.1a by joining wires with spring terminals.
3. Set the Multimeter to the 200 mA range, noting any special connections needed for measuring current.
Connect the circuit and read the current that is flowing through the resistor. Record this value in the current
column.
4. Remove the resistor and choose another. Record its resistance value in resistance column then measure and
record the current as in steps 2 and 3. Continue this process until you have completed all of the resistors you
have been given.
5. Disconnect the Multimeter and connect a wire from the positive lead (spring) of the battery directly to the
first resistor you used as shown in Figure 3.1b. Change the Multimeter to the 2 VDC scale and connect the
 leads as shown also in Figure 3.1b. Measure the voltage across the resistor and record it in Table.

6. Remove the resistor and choose the next one you used. Record its voltage in Table. Continue this process
until you have completed all of the resistors.

Data processing

1. Construct a graph of Current (y-axis) vs Resistance (x-axis).

2. For each of your sets of data, calculate the ratio of Voltage/Resistance. Compare these values.
3. Calculate with the measured values of the current.

Table

Ω
Graph
Current

Resistance

Conclusion

As we can see in graph that by increasing resistance current in a circuit decreases (by ohm’s law I=V/R), hence
we have proved and verified the ohm’s law.

Discussions

As we can see that our error is less than 10%, which is very close to actual value hence our readings are
accurate. By analyzing the graph we can conclude that I ∝1/R, hence by decreasing resistance we can increase
current. There are many natural factors which can cause error or fluctuation in experimental values. Some of
them are:

1. Temperature of room, more temperature offers more resistance.

2. Lose wiring, we can remove it by properly checking our apparatus.
3. We can improve our readings by switching off the circuit when not in use, in order to avoid extra resistance
when is generated due to heat. This extra heat can cause error in our readings

Abstract

The main purpose of this experiment is to check the resistances in series and parallel configuration.

Theory

Series combination

A series circuit is a circuit in which resistors are arranged in a chain, so the current has only one path to take. The
current is the same through each resistor. The total resistance of the circuit is found by simply adding up the
resistance values of the individual resistors:

Equivalent resistance of resistors in series: R = R1 + R2 + R3 +...

Parallel combination

A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their heads connected together, and their
tails connected together. The current in a parallel circuit breaks up, with some flowing along each parallel
branch and re-combining when the branches meet again. The voltage across each resistor in parallel is the same.

The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the reciprocals of the resistance values
and then taking the reciprocal of the total:

Equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel: 1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 +...

Procedure

1. Choose two resistors and note their resistance in the table.

2. Add any two resistors in series combination and find their equivalent resistance, first theocratically and then
experimentally.
3. Now arrange these resistors in parallel arrangement and find their theocratical and experimental
resistances.
4. Find percentage error and note it as well.

Table

Serial Combination Theoretical equivalent Experimental Percentage Error/%

number resistance Rth /Ω Equivalent Resistance
Rexp /Ω
1 Series 10000 + 330 = 10330 10290 0.38

2 Parallel 1/570 + 1/330 = 209 207.6 0.67

Parallel
Discussion

As we can see that our percentage error is less than 10% which means that our experiment was accurate. Rules
for combining resistors in series and parallel circuits are mentioned above which are useful for calculation of
circuits having such arrangements.