PHY098

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN SERIES AND

PARALLEL

DATE: 2 JANUARY 2019

LECTURER’S NAME: MADAM MASNITA BT JUSOH

STUDENT’S NAME MATRIC NUMBER

1. BATRISYIA BINTI AMI AZRUL 2018253524

2. FARAH EZLEEN AQILAH BINTI 2018432554

ABU BAKAR
3. MUHAMMAD SHAHRUL AFIQ 2018256156
BIN MOHD SABRI
4. RAJA AINA ALYA BINTI RAJA 2018252856
DERAMAN
INTRODUCTION

Electrical resistance is generally defined as the opposition to the flow of current in an electric
circuit. The electrical resistance is provided to the circuit through the resistor. The resistance
shows the relation between the applied voltage and the flow of charges. The resistance is
inversely proportional to the flow of current;

R=V/I

The resistance of a parallel circuit differs from that of a series circuit. In a series
arrangement, the total resistance of the circuit is found by simply adding up the resistance
values of the individual resistors;

 R=R1+R2+...

In parallel circuits, the total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up

the reciprocals of the resistance values;

1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 +...

In this experiment, we carried out procedures to determine the equivalent resistance for
resistors connected in series and parallel using 3 carbon resistors in each arrangement. Our
result was calculated using the equation and our graph was plotted to further understand the
relationship between resistance, current and voltage in both series and parallel circuits.
PRE-LAB QUESTION

1. Describe the correct way to connect an ammeter and voltmeter in a circuit.

Connect ammeter and voltmeter in parallel ways.

Make sure the positive and negative points are connected correctly.

2. Magnitude of current in a circuit containing resistors connected in series are greater than
magnitude of current in a circuit containing resistors connected in parallel

The statement is false.

3. Describe the relationship between current and voltage if resistance of conductors is

constant.

Current is directly proportional to the voltage.

4. From the graph of current versus voltage, what does gradient indicates?

Equivalent resistance.

5. By choosing any three resistors available in the laboratory calculate the theoretical
equivalent resistance for resistors connected in series and parallel connection.
ABSTRACT

This experiment is carried out to determine the equivalent resistance for resistors connected
in series and parallel. Two multi-meters which both acted as ammeter and voltmeter were
connected to three resistors in series and parallel with the power supply being manipulated at
2V, 4V, 6V, 8V,10V and 12V. The results were then recorded and calculated. We observed
that as we increase the power supply, the current and voltage increase too. This shows that
current and voltage are directly proportional.

OBJECTIVE

To determine and compare the resistance in series circuit and parallel circuit.
METHODOLOGY

In the first part, connect DC power supply and two digital multi-meter with
connecting wires. One of the digital multi-meter is used to measure the voltage and the other
one is used to measure the current. Next, added three carbon resistors to the circuit in series
way. Then, set the voltage to 2V DC. Recorded both the voltage and current on the two
digital multi-meter. Repeated the experiment by increasing the voltage to 4V, 6V, 8V, 10V,
and 12V. Recorded all readings in the table.

The second part, three carbon resistors is connected in parallel ways to the DC power
supply and the digital multi-meter. Then set the voltage to 2V DC. Recorded both the voltage
and current on the two digital multi-meter. Repeated the experiment by increasing the voltage
to 4V, 6V, 8V, 10V, and 12V. Recorded all readings in the table

RESULTS

Series Circuit:

DC Power Supply (V) Voltage (V) Current m(A)

2 1.378 8.080
4 2.222 14.25
6 3.071 20.57
8 4.066 28.15
10 5.025 35.54
12 6.120 43.87

Parallel Circuit:

DC Power Supply (V) Voltage (V) Current (mA)

2 1.312 60.6
4 2.158 110.1
6 3.032 163.7
8 3.994 225.3
10 4.954 288.6
12 6.03 361.3
GRAPH

Current vs Voltage
50
45 43.87
40 35.54
35
Current (mA)

30 28.15
25 20.57
20
14.25
15
10 8.08
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Voltage (V)

Graph 1. Series Circuit

Current Vs Voltage
400
361.3
350
300 288.6
Current (mA)

250 225.3
200
163.7
150
110.1
100
60.6
50
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Voltage (V)

Graph 2. Parallel circuit

DISSCUSSION

In this experiment, a circuit was connected in series and parallel. Both circuits had the same
components which were two digital multi-meters, three resistors, DC power supply and
connecting wires. The power supply was manipulated at 2V, 4V, 6V, 8V, 10V, and 12V. The
reading for current and voltage were recorded for each volt. Using the formula R = V/I, the
resistance for each experiment was calculated.

CONCLUSION

From the experiment, we concluded that resistance in series circuit

CONCLUSION
POST LAB QUESTION

1.Explain the important of connecting the ammeter in series to the circuit.

 The ammeter is a low impedance device, thus connecting it in parallel with the circuit
would cause a short circuit, damaging the ammeter and or the circuit.

2. Briefly explain the significance of calculating the percentage error or percentage difference
in this experiment.

 The important of calculating the percentage error and percentage difference is to

determine the precision of our calculation in experiment. In experiment, to compare
two values that are both determined by experimentation, we don't have a correct value
to compare, so we look at how different the two values are as a percentage of their
average value which is said as percent difference. Besides, when comparing an
experimental result to a value determined by theory, we determine the difference
between the experimental value and the theoretical value as a percentage of the
theoretical value which means we will get percent error.

3. Explain the effect of resistance toward current in a parallel circuit.

 Resistance is inversely proportional to current. Adding more resistances to the paths
in a parallel circuit causes the total resistance in the circuit to decrease and the total
current will increase because Ohm's Law states that the lower the resistance, the
higher the current.