Topic : Electrical Resistance and Ohms Law

Objective : To determine the resistance of a given resistor.

Apparatus : Power Supply, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Rheostat, Resistor, and

Connecting Wires

Theory :

Batteries and power supplies supply power to a circuit, and this power is used up by motors
as well as by anything that has resistance. It has units of Watts. 1 W = 1 J/s

In many materials, the voltage and resistance are connected by Ohm's Law:

Ohm's Law : V = IR

Ohms law states that the potential difference, V across an ohmic conductor is directly
propotional to the current, I, that flows through the conductor, provided that its temperature
and other physical conditions remain consant.

The connection between voltage and resistance can be more complicated in some materials.

Mathematically,

VI

V=kI

Where k=R which is a constant.

Hence, = =

The resistance, R of a conductor is given by the ratio of potential difference, V, across the

conductor to the current, I, flowing through the conductor or R=

The SI unit for resistance is ohm ()

A resistor is a two-terminal electrical or electronic component that resists an electric current

by producing a voltage drop between its terminals in accordance with Ohms law

A resistor gives the resistance of 1 when a current of 1 A flows through the conductor with
a potential difference of 1 V across the conductor.

In other words, a resistor is a conductor whose function in a circuit is to obey Ohms law so
that it provides a specified resistance to the flow of charge independent of the potential
difference impressed across it.
In this experiment we used parallel circuit. 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 arrangement of circuit in order to achieve the objective of this experiment :

Methods :

1. The circuit was set up as shown in figure 5.1.

2. The power supply was adjusted by voltmeter until the reading approached 6.0 Watt.
3. Next, without moving the rheostat, the reading on voltmeter (V) and ammeter (I) was
recorded into a table.
4. After that, the rheostat was adjusted (move about 1 cm). The reading on the voltmeter
(V) and ammeter was recorded.
5. Step 3 was repeated by adjusting the rheostat until 7 trials.
6. The values of I and V were recorded.
7. A graph of potteV, against current, I was plotted on graph paper.

Result :
The reading of Voltmeter (V) The reading of Ammeter (A)
2.68 18.3
2.80 19.2
3.03 20.6
3.20 21.8
3.36 22.9
3.63 24.7
3.92 26.6
To find the resistance of the resistor:
The reading of Voltmeter (V) The reading of Ammeter (I) Resistance (R)
2.70 0.018 148.9
2.80 0.019 147.3
3.03 0.020 151.5
3.20 0.021 152.4
3.36 0.022 152.7
3.63 0.024 151.3
3.92 0.026 150.8

Based on graph

Gradient =
..
= ..

=165.0
Discussion :

The graph of potential differences, V, against current I, is a straight line that passes
through the origin. This show that potential differences, V is directly propotional to current, I,
Or V I.
The gradient of the graph is a constant. The value of this constant corresponds to the
value of resistance of the conductor, R.
V I
V=IR
From the graph, the gradient is 165 . Hence the resistance, R of the resistor is
165.0
The precautions that should be taken in this experiment are :
i. A small current has to be used in the experiment to ensure that the temperature of the
wire is almost constant.
ii. The conductor used must not be too long.
iii. Avoid parallax errors when taking readings from ammeter and voltmeter.
iv. Make sure that all connections are connected tightly

Conclusions
V is directly propotional to current, I, Or V I.
Its obey Ohms law.
Post lab Questions
1. Does the resistor obey Ohms law? State your reason.
Yes, because the potential differences, v is directly prptional to the current, I
which is follow the Ohms law.

2. Describe the energy transformation that took place in the circuit once all the
connections are complete and the current is flowing in the circuit.
An energy transformation is the change of energy from one form to another.
Energy transformations occur everywhere every second of the day.

3. Calculate the voltage that is needed across a 1000 resistor so that the
current reaches a fatal level? Refer Table 1.

If 0.070 A pass through the heart, serious disruption; probably fatal if current lasts for
more than 1 s

To find the voltage, we use V=IR formula.

V=(0.070 A)(1000 )
V=70

4. What is the common effect on resistance when the temperature of a resistor is

increased?
The resistance of a conductor increase when temperature increase.

5. Why does the value of R in an electric circuit changes when the circuit is left
on for a long time?
Heat dissipation within the resistor causes the resistor to rise in temperature, thus
causing its resistivity to rise

6. Why does an ammeter have a low resistance while a voltmeter has high
resistance?
Voltmeter measures in parallel. Low resistance would cause significant current
flow through the meter and load the measured circuit - which could cause
erroneous readings.
The ammeter, on the other hand, measures current flow in series with the balance
of the circuit - so low resistance would be best so it doesn't load the circuit.