Dirk Myburgh

212282247
Physics 1- Practical 9: Ohms Law
04/05/2012
Aim:
The aim of this experiment is to verify Ohms law, using a fixed resistor (R 1), an
ammeter and a voltmeter.
Theory:

Ohms Law: the current between two points on a conductor is proportional

to the potential difference between these points, provided the physical
conditions (temperature) remain constant.
I

V; Thanks to carefully defined units, resistance is given directly by the

ratio of V (across the conductor) to I (through the conductor).

R=

V
=Ohm ,
I

Experiment 9.1
Method 1:
1. The colour codes on the two different resistors were used to read the
resistance of both of the resistors.
Method 2:
1. The circuit was set up as shown, and checked by the lecturer.
2. The first of the two resistors was connected into the circuit, and the
main power was switched on, 5 different readings of the volt- and
ammeter was taken and tabulated, each time changing the current
through the rheostat.
3. The second of the two resistors was connected into the circuit, and
step two was repeated, for resistor 2.

Experiment 9.2
Aim: the aim of this experiment is to verify the combined resistance formulae,
using an ammeter and a voltmeter.
Theory: The combined resistance of two resistors, in theory, is given by:
a) Resistors in Series:

Rs =r 1+ r 2

b) Resistors in parallel:

1 1 1
= +
R p r1 r 2

Method:
1. The two resistors (R and R) were first connected in series, and the
previous steps were repeated five times.
2. The two resistors were then connected in parallel, and the previous steps
were again repeated.
3. All of the readings were tabulated.

Results:
Table 1: The results following the experiments.
N
o.

Resistance
in

1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3

R1 =180

Colour
code

Br, Gy, Br
R2= 150
Br, G, Br
R1 + R2 =
330

R1 // R2 =
81.82

Volt
meter
reading
(v)
0.5
0.9
1.8
2.5
3.5
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.0
4
1.75
3.5
5.0
5.5
2.75
0.5
0.75
1

Ammeter
reading
(mA)

R=

2
5
10
15
20
5
10
15
20
25
5
10
15
19
8
5
10
15

250
180
180
167
175
100
150
167
150
160
350
350
333.33
289.5
343.8
100
75
66.67

Average

V
I

194

145.33

333.33
79.33

4
5

1.5
2

20
25

75
80

From the Table above:

The graph for each resistor and their combinations were plotted on the
same coordinate axis, and labelled.
The slope of each of the graphs was calculated to get the resistance of
each of resistors.

Calculations:
Series:

Rs =r 1+ r 2
R s=150+180

= 330

Parallel:

1 1 1
= +
R p r1 r 2

1
1
1
=
+
R p 150 180
=81.82

Example of R =

V
I

R=

R=

0.9
3
5 10

= 250

Conclusion:

V
I

The resistance for R1, was found to be: 180 read from the colour codes, 194
using the average of the formula, and . found from calculating the slope of
the graph.
The resistance for R2, was found to be: 150 read from the colour codes, 145.33
using the average of the formula, and . found from calculating the slope
of the graph.
The resistance for R1 + R2, was found to be: 330 using the theoretical formula,
333.33 using the average of the formula, and . found from calculating the
slope of the graph.
The resistance for R1 + R2, was found to be: 81.82 using the theoretical
formula, 79.33 using the average of the formula, and . found from
calculating the slope of the graph.