EXPERIMENT 1 - PART A: OHM’S LAW FUNDAMENTALS

Full Name: Mert Mertoğlu ID Number: 2608990

INTRODUCTION
This experiment contains one of the most important theoretical aspects of electronics,
namely the Ohm’s Law. This fundamental law states the relationship between circuit voltage,

current, and resistance.

During the experiment the student will;

• Examine the series and parallel circuits and prove the Ohm’s law by measurements.

• Calculate the total power dissipation in series and parallel circuits.

• Measure the resistance of a variable resistor and explain the operation of the device.

THEORY
Ohm’s Law
Historically, the direction of the current is determined to be the opposite of the electron flow.
Conventionally, the current moves from the positive side of the battery to the negative side in
a circuit, while the actual electric charge movement is from the negative side to the positive
side.

The potential difference (voltage) across an ideal conductor is proportional to the current
through it. The ratio of voltage to current is called the resistance, and if the ratio is constant
over a wide range of voltages, the material is said to be an "ohmic" material. In this exercise
we will explore the control of electrical current by applied voltage and the circuit resistance.
The Ohm's Law formula can be stated as;

I=V/R,

where I = current in Amps, V = voltage in Volts and R = resistance in Ohms (Ω).

In a series circuit, the electric current has a single path. Each resistor in the series circuit will
use a portion of source voltage and this portion depends on the resistor. All voltage drops in
the series circuit will add together to be equal to the source voltage. The voltage drops can be
calculated by the use of Ohm's law. It states; V= IR.

In parallel circuits, as a result of the conservation of energy, the currents flowing in each
parallel branch circuit must be added together to get the total current, IT. IT is the total amount

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of current flowing from the source and through ALL the parallel branch circuits. The individual
branch currents are controlled by branch circuit resistances and the source voltage. The law
for behavior of voltage in the parallel circuit is that all parallel branch circuits have the same
voltage across them.

Electrical Power in Circuits

Electrical Power (P) in a circuit is the rate at which energy is absorbed or produced within a
circuit. A source of energy such as a voltage will produce or deliver power while the connected
load (resistor) absorbs it. Light bulbs and heaters for example, absorb electrical power and
convert it into either heat, or light, or both. The higher their value or rating in watts the more
electrical power they are likely to consume.

The quantity symbol for power is P and is the product of voltage multiplied by the current with
the unit of measurement being the Watt (W). It can be noted that prefixes can be used to
denote power such as milliwatts (mW = 10-3W) or kilowatts (kW = 103W).

Power can be calculated for an entire circuit by using the values of total current and total
voltage. Also, it can be calculated by using the values for individual currents and voltages on
different circuit elements. If power is calculated by using the values for individual resistors, the
power figures for each of the resistors are added together to find the total circuit power.
Obviously, these two different methods for calculating the power dissipated in a circuit should
give the same result. This is true for both series and parallel circuits. The power can be found
from the formula;

P=IV,

where P = power in Watts, I = current in Amps, V= voltage in Volts.

The Variable Resistor

Resistance is the opposition to current flow (movement of electrical charge). The unit of
measure for resistance is the ohm, symbolized by Greek letter Ω (omega).

There are several types of variable resistors and the one that will be examined in detail is the
potentiometer (often called a "pot"), which has three terminals as illustrated in Figure 1.1.

In a potentiometer, there is a resistive material and a wiper which slides along the length of
the resistive material. There are three terminals of the device, which are denoted by A, W, and
B. The total device resistance is constant between the terminals A and B. When the wiper’s

position is changed by using the knob on the device, the sharing of the resistance between
the terminals A-W and W-B can be changed. This means that, the sum of the resistances
between A-W and W-B will always give the total resistance of the device.

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 Figure 1.1: The potentiometer.

Variable resistors are rated by their resistance, power rating, and the type of taper. The taper
is how the resistance varies over the length of element. If each equal distance on the element
has the same resistance, the potentiometer is said to be "linear". However, for example, if the
first 1/8 of the element has 10 ohms, the second 1/8 has 20 ohms, the third 1/8 has 30 ohms,
and so on, the device is “non-linear”. There are number of different non-linear tapers. The
most common type is the audio taper. It is designated to cause a volume increase that appears
to the ear to be the same for each equal increment of shaft rotation. The ear does not hear
equal changes in audio power as equal changes in volume, because the ear is non-linear. So,
the volume control must be "doctored" to make it appear linear.

Table 1.1: 4 band color code table. (Taken from www.electronicsforu.com)

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Experiment 1A- Ohm’s Law Fundamentals
Equipment:
Bread Board

Multimeter

Power Supply (+12V)

Variable Resistor

Resistors

Procedure:
1. Take 3 different resistances between 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ from the instructors and discover
their values from the color codes on them. Use the color code table provided. (3pt.)

1k
R1 = ………….Ω. . 1k Ω.
9
R2=…………. 217
R3 =………….Ω.

2. Measure the resistance of each resistor with the multimeter and calculate the total
resistance. (4pt.)

909 Ω.
R1 = ……….... 1997 Ω.
R2=……….... R3 =……..…... 12046 Ω.
9100 Ω. RT =………....…

Construct the circuit shown in Figure 1.2 using these resistance values: R1 = 1kΩ, R2 = 2kΩ,
R3 = 9kΩ. Make sure the power supply output is +12 V.

Figure 1.2

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3. As shown in Figure 1.2, insert the ammeter in point A, turn the power on and measure the
current. (3pt.)

0 , 9041
Point A IA =…………..….mA.

Similarly measure the currents at points B and C.

Point B IB =………….…mA
0 , 9839 and Point C IC =………….……mA.
0 9040 ,

4. Using the measured resistance and voltage values, calculate the circuit current. Show
your calculations in the box provided below. (1pt.)
103 9892 1997m

scoomad!t!onal
. 99333
IT = 0……………..……A. M (ljust wente osen
M
.
X calculat!ons
a look)
VR = 0 9823V
, Vaz
= /, :021
Vas 9
=
,
041

189 + 1997 + 9100 = Rot 12 086-

== 0 99333
=

Fl!rat
.

0 , 9823 + 1 , 9621 + 9, 041 = Vot = 12 .

0054V

5. Observe that all the current measurements yield the same value. Explain this briefly.
Due to res!sters
(2pt.) …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
connected as serr!es
are there !s only 1 un!que way for Current.

So have same value for allpo!nts on

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Current must . (In !deal C!rcu!t)
C!rcu!t

6. Measure the voltage across each resistor in the same circuit. (3pt.)

0 , 9823
VR1 = ……….…… V. 1 , 9827
VR2 = …………….. V. 3 , 047
VR3 = ……….………V.
12 , 0054
Add these voltages together. The sum is VT =……….…….V.

7. Calculate the voltage drop across each resistor by using the formula V = IR. Use the
measured resistance values for R and the circuit current for I. Show your calculations in the
box provided below. (3pt.)

962V 10 A
VR 10 A 0. 10 A 7 , 984V Vas 91002 0 , 99133 g 039
=

90912 Vaz 19972 =

0 , 99333 =
0 1 99333 =
. .

=
.

=
.
.

. .

0 , 982
VR1 = ………..……V. 1 , 984
VR2 = ………..….V. 9 , 039
VR3 = ………..…..V.

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 8. What is the result of adding the voltage drops together? Explain briefly. (1pt.)

Due to res!sters connected Ser!es when I ad all of them I

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… young obta!n total Voltage Suppl!ed by am powersource
m
~
(Accord!ng to the K!rshoff's Voltaya law 12V !n our example

9. The definite relationship between resistance and the voltage drop across the resistor has
been observed. State the relationship that you obtain from your observations briefly. (2pt.)
& observed that !f I !ncrease one of the res!stance w!th rate Valtage dropp across th!s res!ste also w!ll
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… a !ncrease

atleast!npot!v)
Same rate Day!ng almost same rate better !th!ed
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
.
Th!s happers beause the Current !s Constant en
s .

10. Calculate the power dissipated in each resistor and in the overall circuit. Show your
calculations in the box provided below. Write the units of each value. (5pt.)

FER
= exacty Calculat!ves
F muda same
DEV .
I =
>
- w!th

!t
Current d rectly across ann res!ster . Calculated
ll choose th s one because we d dn't measure
↓ Volten values ·

Result s Suna .
cando ng

P
/O 9023V10 DOV11967mW B!l8 982mW treden
=
,

976mW add!t!onal explacat!on

,
R =
,
.

dev ces

Ptot! = P . + Pa + Ps = 11, 925 aW ↑totz Ert

= + V+ + = (0 99333
,
.
183A(x(12 0034V)
,
= 11 925mW
,

P1 =……….mW
0 976 . P2 =……….mW
, 008
2 8 , 982
P3 =……….mW
Ptotal = P1 + P2 + P3 =……….mW
11 925 , Ptotal = Itotal x Vtotal =……….mW
11 925 ,

In this part, you found total dissipated power by adding individual power figures and then you
found the total generated power by using total circuit figures. Observe that the dissipated and
generated powers in a series circuit are equal.

Change your resistances to the ones shown in Figure 1.3. Check the values of resistances
from their color codes.

~
we used 22

Figure 1.3

6
i
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Construct the circuit shown in Figure 1.3.

11. Measure the current through each resistor in the circuit. (3pt.)

12, 160 12 165 5 992

IR1 = ……………..mA IR2 = ……………...mA , IR3 = ………………..mA ,

12. By using the Ohm’s Law, calculate the current passing through each resistor in the

circuit. Show your calculations in the box provided below. (3pt.)

>
-
As I understand we are compear!ng exper!mental and theoret!cal values so can youa use 12V 242 ,
1622 and he .
,

1 = 01A =
Ret lez =0 ,
00A

12
IR1 = ……………..mA 12
IR2 = ……………...mA G
IR3 = ………………..mA

13. Calculate the circuit resistance by using the measured resistance values. Show your
calculations in the box provided below. (1pt.)

396 4
RT = ……………..Ω calculate

sperately
we these ones
,

-
19971
R! = 3891 &2 = 9091 Ry =

- + =- 39

14. Calculate the total current (use RT and V). (1pt.) 30 , 22

IT, calculated = …………..mA.

15. Measure the total circuit current. (1pt.) 27

IT, measured = …………..mA.

16. Measure the voltage across each resistor in the same circuit. (3pt.)

11 , 97811
VR1 = ……………V. 978
VR2 = ………….V.
, 11 , 978
VR3 = …………..V.

17. Calculate the voltage drop across each resistor. Use measured current values. Show
your calculations in the box provided below. (3pt.)

Va Fa + Re (12 10x103A)x (9092) = 12 , 046V 11 , 966V

992x101) x (1997-a)
= = =

Vaz Fay Ry (5
,
= + = ,

Vaz Frat Ra (12 165x10A)x (9092) 12 , 031V

=
= = ,

12 046 12 03/ 11 966

VR1 = ……………V. , VR2 = ………….V. ,
VR3 = …………..V. ,

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18. What is the relationship between a resistance and the current in a branch of a parallel
circuit? In other words, how current is distributed through each branch? Explain briefly. (2pt.)

We observed that through h!gher res!stanceless current and through smaller res!stance h!gher Current
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. /It !s proper for Ohr!slaw) .

19. Calculate the power dissipated in each resistor and in the overall circuit. Write the units
of each value. Show your calculations in the box provided below. (5pt.)

(111978V2
PRO 145 W Py =

1997-
= 71 , 84mW Potz = For XV = (30 , 22xA)+ (171978V) = 361 97 -W
,

P2 =a Il = 14S 1 1 mW P! + P2 Ps
+ = 145 , 1 an + 145, 1w + 79 , 84aw =
362, 04mw =
Pot y

P1 =……….mW
143 7. 143 1
P2 =……….mW ,
71 84
P3 =……….mW ,

300 04
Ptotal = P1 + P2 + P3 =……….mW , 361 97
Ptotal = Itotal x Vtotal =……….mW ,

In this part of the experiment, you again found total dissipated power by adding individual
power figures and then the total generated power by using total circuit figures. Observe that
the dissipated and generated powers in a parallel circuit are also equal.

The Variable Resistor

In this part, you will measure the resistance of variable resistor with your digital multimeter.
You won't use any circuit that you built before. To measure the resistor value that knob shows,
you have to use the central terminal.

20. Use the ohmmeter to measure the total resistance between the top terminal and the
bottom terminal of the potentiometer. This is the total resistance of the potentiometer. (3pt.)

0 9731
RT = ……….….Ω. .

Measure the resistance between central terminal and top terminal R1 = ……..….….Ω,
740 4 and ,

resistance between the central terminal and bottom terminal R2 = ………..….Ω.

202 2 ,

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21. Now, set the control knob to its half visually, and measure the resistance values of R1
and R2. This is to check out the linear/non-linear response of the variable resistor. (2pt.)

S33 5
R1 = ……………….Ω,
494 6
R2 = ……………………Ω.
,

22. Find the total resistance of the potentiometer. (2pt.)

a) by adding the measurements in step 25,T!p 1030 , 6

RT = ………………..Ω,

b) by adding the measurements in step 26, 1028 , 1

RT = ………………..Ω.
#2)
LTSpice Simulations

23. Create a circuit that has a 10V of source and two resistors. Connect these resistors in
parallel. The first resistor has the resistance of 5 Ω, whereas the other one is a variable
resistor. The limits of resistance must be 1Ω and 100Ω with the increment of 1Ω. (Use step
param command.) (13pt.)

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24. Plot Current across resistor vs Resistance graphs for each resistor in the same pane.
(16pt.)

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