Experiment 2: Ohms Law

Laboratory Report

Pocholo Luis P. Mendiola & Novelyn C. Mendoza

Department of Math and Physics
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila, Philippines

Abstract:
The experiment was about current,
potential difference and resistance and how
it varies depending on which property is
constant. A multimeter was used to measure
the voltage resistance and current. It is also
used to describe the variation and shows
that as the potential difference increases, the
current also increases and when the
resistance increases the potential difference
increases while the current decreases that
can also be described in Ohms law which is
V=IR.

I. Introduction
George Simon Ohm was able to
define the fundamental relationship between
current (I), voltage (V), and resistance (R).
What is now known as Ohms Law was
indeed in his famous book that was
published in the year circa 1827. The
fundamental relationship between voltage,
current, and resistance gave rise to the
definition for introductory circuit analysis.

Ohms Law applies to conductors
whose resistance is almost independent of
the voltage that is applied.

The objectives of the experiment are
to familiarize with the proper use of
electrical meters, to describe the variation of
the current



with the potential difference at a constant
resistance, to describe the variation of the
current with the resistance at a constant
potential difference, and to describe the
variation of the potential difference with the
resistance at a constant current.


II. Theory
Mathematically, Ohms Law is
equivalent to the direct proportion of the
potential difference or voltage drop (V) to
the product of the current (I) and the
resistance (R). In symbols,

V = IR (eq. 2.1)

where
V = Potential Difference (in Volts, V);
I = Current (in Amperes, A);
R = Resistance (in Ohms, )

Ohms Law is not really a law that
exists in nature. It is limited to those
materials whose resistance remains constant
or very nearly so during use. In addition,
Ohms Law is an important part of circuit
analysis because resistors are essential part
of almost any circuit.




Potential Difference

The potential is the ability of the
source charges to have an interaction if a
charge q shows up. A particle moves
through a potential differnce, which is
literally, the increment V = V
f
- V
i
between
the potential at some point i to some point f.
The potential difference between the two
points is often called the voltage. Potential
difference has an SI unit of Volts V, in
honour of Alessandro Volta who possibly
first invented the chemical battery called the
voltaic pile.

Current

The current must be conserved,
hence, the current in the resistor is the same
as the current in each wire in an electrical
circuit. Current has an SI unit of Ampers A,
in honour of Andre-Marie Ampere,
considered the father of electrodynamics.

Resistance

The resistance is a property of a
conductor because it is a function of the
conductors length and diameter. The
resistance of a typical wire increases as the
length increases. Moreover, the smaller the
resistance, the larger the current. Resistance
has an SI unit of Ohms , in honour of
George Simon Ohms.

In an ohmic circuit, (materials to
which Ohms Law applies), there are three
basic classes of circuit materials:

Wires

These are metals with a very small
resistance (R<< 1). An ideal wire has R =
0, hence, the potential difference between
the ends is 0V even if there is a current on it.

Resistors

These are poor condctors that have
resistances in the range 10
1
to 10
6
. These
are used to control the current in a circuit.
Insulators

An ideal insulator has R = ,
hence, there is no current in an insulator
even if theere is a potential difference across
it

(eq.
2.2)

All practical insulator have R>>10
9

which can be treated as ideal.


III. Methodology

Activity 1: Using Ohms Law
A resistor was selected from the
assortment and its resistance was measured
by the use of a multi meter. A power source
was connected to the resistor and was given
a voltage close to 5v. Using again the multi
meter the voltage across the resistors was
measured and was recorded together with
the previously measured resistance. With the
values obtained the current was calculated
by Ohms law.

The current was also measured by
the multi meter in a series form then the %
difference was determined by using the
measured and calculated value. The
resistance and voltage was determined also
with the use of the measured values obtained
and was calculated with again the use of
Ohms law. The % different of each
property was determined with the use of the
measured and calculated values of each
property.
Activity 2: Constant Resistance

A 50 ohm resistor was kept constant
in a series connection with a voltage
source.The power supply was adjusted to get
the valueof potential difference across the
resistor at 1V, 2V, 3v, 4V and 5V then the
current through the resistor was measured
using the multi meter.

Activity 3: Constant Current

A 50 ohm resistor was connected in
a series connection with a power supply,
The voltage was adjusted so that the circuit
current was 0.5 A and the voltage was
recorded. The current was kept constant at
0.5 A. The current for the five resistors of
10, 15, 20 , 50 and 100 was
determined.

Activity 4: Constant Voltage

A 50 ohm resistor was connected in
a serries connection with a power supply.
The current was adjusted so that the voltage
across the resistors was 5V and the current
was recorded. The voltage was kept constant
at 5V and the current for 10, 15 , 20 ,
50 and 100 was determined.


IV. Results and Discussions

Table 1: Using Ohms Law
Measured
value
Computed
value
%
Difference
Resistance 10.1 10.12 0.21%
Voltage 4.96 V 4.96 V 0 %
Current 0.50 A 0.49 A 1.02%
( Table 1 shows the computed value computed by
V=IR and the measured value by the use of multi
meter of the resistance, voltage and current.)

Table 2: Constant Resistance

Constant R = 50.0
Voltage Current
1.0 V 0.01 A
2.0 V 0.03 A
3.0 V 0.05 A
4.0 V 0.07 A
5.0 V 0.09 A
(Table 2 shows the values of current measured by the
multi meter with increasing voltages and constant
resistance and it shows a direct relationship.)

Table 3: Constant Current

Constant I = 0.5 A
Resistance Volatage
10 4.90 V
15 4.90 V
20 4.96 V
50 4.97 V
100 5.00 V
(Table 3 shows the values of voltage measured of the
multi meter with increasing resistance with a
constantt current and it shows a direct relationship)

Table 4: Constant Voltage

Contant V = 5.00 V
Resistance Current
10 0.39 A
15 0.32 A
20 0.24 A
50 0,10 A
100 0.05 A
(Table 4 shows the values of current measured by the
multi meter with increasing resistance and constant
voltage and its shows an inverse relationship.)


V. Conclusions

Resistors play a very important role
in electrical circuits as they limit the current
to prevent the depletion of the source.


From the mathematical relationship
of the circuit elements, it was verified from
the experiment that as the current increase
with a constant potential difference, the
resistance decreases. Moreover, as the
current incrases with a constant resistance,
the potential difference also increases. In
addition, given a constant current, as the
voltage increases, resistance also increases
as shown in the results obtained from the
experiment.

VI. References
[1] Halliday, Resnick & Walker. (1997).
Fundamentals of physics. New York,
NY: Wiley.

[2] Knight, R. (2009). Physics for
scientists and engineers: Volume 4.
New York, NY: Cengage Learning.

[3] Griffiths, D. (2012). Introduction to
electrodynamics. New York, NY:
Addison-Wesley.