Experiment No.

1
INVESTIGATING THE DIFFERENCE OF THE PROPERTIES OF AN OHMIC AND A
NON-OHMIC CONDUCTOR WITH THE USE OF A DIODE (FORWARD & REVERSE
BIAS)
I. Introduction/Objectives
Every part of matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are called the building
blocks of nature. These atoms are composed of a nucleus, shells, protons
and electrons. Electricity is one essential part for human satisfaction and even
for the survival and advancement of the human race. It seems that no one
could ever live and survive on this wavering world without electricity. We lean
on electricity when we wash our clothes or even through the leisure activities
that we enjoy is caused by electricity. Electricity, on its micro definition, is the
flow of electrons. It can flow to some materials and some doesn’t allow it to
flow. The flow of electrons from one material to another deeply relies on the
conductivity of the material to allow and resist the flow of electricity. The
property of matter that allows electrons to pass through materials of another
material is called conductivity.
Ohm’s Law states that the current (I), that flows in a circuit is directly
proportional to the voltage (V) across the circuit and inversely proportional to
the resistance of the circuit. Conductors are not only classified as to how
electricity flow on it, but it is also classified as to whether it follows or not the
Ohm’s Law. Conductors on its sense are also classified as Ohmic
Conductors and Non-Ohmic Conductors.
An ohmic conductor is a conductor that obeys the Ohm’s Law. It is a
conductor whose temperature doesn’t change when there is an increase of
current flow through it. It is also a conductor whose resistance is constant
provided that its temperature is not changing. On the other hand, non-ohmic
conductor is a conductor that does not obeys the Ohm’s Law. There are
number of examples of non-ohmic conductors including filaments and
semiconductors like diodes and transistor. If we take to consider the voltage
graph of Ohmic and Non-Ohmic conductors, this will give us a big difference
and variation of the two type of conductors. Ohmic conductors in a voltage
graph has a likely straight path while a Non-Ohmic conductor has a curve
path.
Through this activity, the students will be able to (1) distinguish the
difference of an Ohmic Conductor and a Non-Ohmic Conductor in a circuit;
(2) investigate the properties of an Ohmic and Non-Ohmic conductor; (3)
construct a circuit of an Ohmic and Non-Ohmic conductor; and (4) know the
relationship of voltage and current in both Ohmic and Non-Ohmic conductor.
II. Hypothesis
The ohmic conductors (due to its properties) obeys the Ohm’s Law with the
relationship of Current and Voltage being directly proportional. For example, if voltage is
doubled, the current is also doubled. While non-ohmic conductors (due to its properties)
don’t obey the Ohm’s Law. Hence, the relationship of Current and Voltage is not directly
proportional but it is inversely proportional. Therefore, ohmic conductors obeys the
Ohm’s Law while non-ohmic conductors does not obey Ohm’s Law.

III. Materials
 6 Alligator clips
 1 power supply
 1 ammeter (0.500 mA)
 1 diode

IV. Procedure
Part A: Non-ohmic Conductor (Forward Bias)
1. Construct a circuit with a non-ohmic conductor set in forward
bias. Follow the circuit diagram below. Note: In constructing
the circuit, consider the General Laboratory Rules and
Precautions for electrical safety.
2. With the constructed circuit, fill in the Table 1.1. Set the voltage
(V) on the power supply as indicated in the table and measure
the current (I) using an ammeter.
 Table 1.1 Current Measurements with a Diode set in Forward Bias

Applied Voltage (V) Current (I) (mA)

0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

3. Graph the voltage and current with Diode set in Forward Bias in
a graphing paper. Describe the relationship of Voltage and
Current.

Guide Questions:
a. Was there a significant pattern/trend formed in the results?
b. With the plotted graph of the Current and Voltage, what
relationship of Current and Voltage was observed?
c. With the gathered results, how can you prove that the ‘diode (set
in forward bias)’ is indeed a non-ohmic conductor?

Part B. Non-Ohmic Conductor (Reverse Bias)

1. Construct a circuit with a non-ohmic conductor set in

reverse bias. Follow the circuit diagram below. Note: In
constructing the circuit, consider the General
Laboratory Rules and Precautions for electrical safety.
 2. With the constructed circuit, fill in the Table 1.2. Set the
voltage (V) on the power supply as indicated in the table
and measure the current (I) using an ammeter.

Table 1.2 Current Measurements in a Reverse Bias with a Non-Ohmic

Conductor

Applied Voltage (V) Current (I) (mA)

0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

3. Graph the voltage and current of the forward bias circuit

with a Non-Ohmic Conductor in a graphing paper. Describe
the relationship of Voltage and Current.

Guide Questions:
a. Was there a significant pattern/trend formed in the results?
b. With the plotted graph of the Current and Voltage, what
relationship of Current and Voltage was observed?
c. With the gathered results, how can you prove that the ‘diode (set
in forward bias)’ is indeed a non-ohmic conductor?
.

V. Analysis of Results
1. What significant pattern/trend was formed in the results? Compare the results
of the non-ohmic conductor (forward and reverse bias).
a.) Non-ohmic Conductor (Forward Bias)
b.) Non-ohmic Conductor (Reverse Bias)
 2. With the plotted graph of the Current and Voltage, what relationship of Current
and Voltage was observed? Compare the results of the non-ohmic conductor (forward
and reverse bias).
a.) Non-ohmic Conductors (Forward Bias)
b.) Non-ohmic Conductors (Reverse Bias)

3. Compare and contrast the properties of the Ohmic Conductor from the Non-
ohmic Conductors (Forward and Reverse).

4. In the experiment, what made the circuit non-ohmic? And what made it ohmic?
Cite situations and elaborate.

5. What law in physics was not obeyed in this experiment? Cite situations and
elaborate.

VI. Analysis of Possible Sources of Error in the Experiment

1. Was the procedure of the experiment well-constructed?
2. Was the materials complete and fully functional? Did the experimenters
needed to improvise?
3. What other possible source of uncertainty can you identify to further enhance
this experiment?

VII. Conclusion