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LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO. 4

SERIES CIRCUIT: RESISTORS IN SERIES
AND KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW

Objectives:

1. To determine, through experimentation, the Total Resistance of a Direct

Current (DC) circuit with resistors connected in series using an Ohmmeter and
the application of Ohm’s Law.
2. To calculate the Total Resistance of a DC circuit with resistors in series and to
note the effect of the relative magnitude of each resistor on the Total
Resistance.
3. To validate or confirm Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL).
4. To test the application of the Voltage Divider Rule/Principle.
5. To ascertain the behaviour of the Current in a DC circuit with resistors in series.

Equipments:

1. VOM (either Analog or Digital) including probes

2. Five (5) pieces of Carbon Composition Resistors of different values
3. Connecting Wires of size # 22 or # 20, solid conductor
4. Trainer Kit or DC Voltage Source / Power Supply with variable voltage output

Diagrams:

Illustration on where to place the VOM

probes when taking voltage measurements
(across resistors).
Procedure for Experimentation with the Data and Results of Computations:

1. Choose five (5) resistors of different color combinations. Assign resistor

numbers from 1 to 5. On Table 1, interpret the color-coding and write the
equivalent Ohmic values and the tolerances of each resistor.
2. Using either an Analog or Digital Ohmmeter, measure the resistances and
write the readings in the spaces provided on Table 1.

Ohmic − Ohmmeter
3. Compute for the percentage differences: %Diff =  100% .
Ohmic

Table 1 - The Ohmic Value and Ohmmeter Readings

Ohmic
Ohmmeter % Difference
Resistor (Numerical) Tolerance
Reading (Ohmic & VOM)
Value

R1 1000 Ω ±20% 975 Ω 2.5 %

R2 2200 Ω ±20% 2153 Ω 2.1 %
R3 3300 Ω ±20% 3263 Ω 1.1 %
R4 4700 Ω ±20% 4640 Ω 1.3 %
R5 5600 Ω ±20% 5510 Ω 1.6 %
4. Connect the circuit shown on the diagram on the breadboard using the five (5)
resistors (arrange the resistors in the circuit according to the sequence used on
Table 1). Make sure the wires and resistors are inserted properly. After
connecting, have your work checked by the instructor.
5. Power up or switch on the power supply using the Source Voltage specified by
the instructor, as indicated on the Voltmeter. This Source Voltage will be the
Theoretical Total Voltage which must be placed on Table 3. Take note of this
or write it now.
6. Use the voltmeter function of the VOM to measure the Voltage across each
resistor. Place the readings in the spaces for Measured Voltage on Table 2.
7. Switch off the power supply.
8. Use the formula: I =V R to solve for the Measured Current through each resistor
wherein Measured Current = Measured Voltage / Ohmmeter Reading of the Resistance.
Such that, I1 = V1 R1, I 2 = V2 R 2, etc. Place the results in the spaces for
 Measured Current on Table 2.

Table 2 – VOM Readings & Theoretical Results Voltages and Currents

Voltages V1 V2 V3 V4 V5

Theoretical 0.714 V 1.571 V 2.357 V 3.357 V 4V

Measured 0.705 V 1.535 V 2.332 V 3.297 V 3.85 V
% Difference 1.26% 2.29% 1.06% 1.79% 3.75%
Currents I1 I2 I3 I4 I5

Theoretical 0.7143 mA 0.7143 mA 0.7143 mA 0.7143 mA 0.7143 mA

Measured 0.7231 mA 0.7130 mA 0.7147 mA 0.7106 mA 0.6987 mA
% Difference 1.23% 0.18% 0.06% 0.52% 2.18%
9. Remove the wires that connect the Source Voltage to the resistors in series on
the breadboard. Measure the Total Resistance by placing the red probe (of the
VOM) on the leg of the resistor where the positive terminal of the Source Voltage
was connected with; while the black probe (of the VOM) must be placed on the
leg of the resistor where the negative or ground terminal of the Source Voltage
was connected with. Place the result in the space for Measured Total Resistance
on Table 3.
10. Use the Measured Voltage across each resistor on Table 2 and the principles
pertaining to Total Voltage for resistors in series to obtain the Measured Total
Voltage which will be placed on Table 3.
11. For the Measured Total Current on Table 3, it is equal to the Measured Total Voltage
(Procedure #10) divided by the Measured Total Resistance (Procedure #9). I =V R.
12. Use the Ohmmeter reading of each resistor on Table 1 and the Theoretical Total
Voltage on Table 3 to obtain the Theoretical values needed on Tables 2 and 3.
13. Compute for the percentage differences on Tables 2 and 3.
%Diff = Theoretical − Measured  100%
Theoretical

Table 3 – Total Voltage, Resistance, and Current

Results Total Voltage Total Resistance Total Current

Theoretical 12 V 16,800 ohms 0.7143 mA

Measured 11.719 V 16,590 ohms 0.7064 mA
% Difference 2.34% 1.25% 1.11%
Analysis and Observations:

1. How does one connect several resistors in series? Or, what are resistors in series?
Resistors are connected in series by linking them end-to-
end, so the same current flows through each resistor.

2. What happens to the Total Resistance when resistors are connected in series?
The total resistance increases and is the sum of all
individual resistances in series.

3. What happens to the Voltage across each resistor when resistors are in series?
The voltage across each resistor in series is different and
depends on its resistance; the sum of the voltages equals the
total supply voltage.

4. What is the behavior of the Current through each resistor when resistors are in series?
The current remains the same through each resistor
when connected in series.

5. If the Voltmeter registers a negative reading when measuring the Voltage

across a resistor, what does this imply regarding the polarity of the Voltage
across that resistor?
A negative reading on the voltmeter implies the leads are
connected with reversed polarity, meaning the voltage is
opposite to the expected direction.

6. If the Voltmeter registers a negative reading when measuring the Voltage

across a resistor, what does this imply regarding the direction of the
Current through that resistor?

A negative voltage reading suggests that the

current is flowing in the opposite direction to what
was assumed.

7. State Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL).

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) states that the sum of all
voltages around a closed loop in a circuit is equal to zero.
8. State the Voltage Divider Rule/Principle.
The Voltage Divider Rule states that in a series circuit,
the voltage across a resistor is proportional to its resistance
relative to the total resistance.

9. Analyze the results written on the Tables. How does these relate to the Voltage
Divider Rule/Principle and Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law?
The results likely show that the sum of individual voltages
matches the total supply voltage (KVL) and that each resistor’s
voltage follows the Voltage Divider Rule.

10. What are the problems you encountered while conducting this experiment?
Problems encountered could include measurement errors,
incorrect connections, and fluctuating readings due to
resistance heating or equipment limitations.

Conclusion:

The experiment effectively demonstrated how resistors

function in series, confirming the principles of Kirchhoff's Voltage
Law and the Voltage Divider Rule. Despite minor challenges with
measurement accuracy, the results aligned with theoretical
predictions, illustrating the distribution of resistance and voltage in
a series circuit.