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Title: Resistances in Circuit Aim: To Investigate Resistance in Series, Parallel and Combined Circuits Materials

This document describes an experiment to investigate resistance in series, parallel and combined circuits. Key findings include: 1) Measured resistances for individual components had small percentage errors within their tolerance range. 2) In series circuits, the total resistance is calculated by adding individual resistances. In parallel circuits, the total resistance is calculated using reciprocal sums of individual resistances. 3) Combination circuits use both series and parallel calculations to determine total resistance. The experiment demonstrated the rules for calculating resistance in different circuit configurations.

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Martyn Pereira
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102 views

Title: Resistances in Circuit Aim: To Investigate Resistance in Series, Parallel and Combined Circuits Materials

This document describes an experiment to investigate resistance in series, parallel and combined circuits. Key findings include: 1) Measured resistances for individual components had small percentage errors within their tolerance range. 2) In series circuits, the total resistance is calculated by adding individual resistances. In parallel circuits, the total resistance is calculated using reciprocal sums of individual resistances. 3) Combination circuits use both series and parallel calculations to determine total resistance. The experiment demonstrated the rules for calculating resistance in different circuit configurations.

Uploaded by

Martyn Pereira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title: Resistances in circuit

Aim: To investigate resistance in series, parallel and combined circuits

Materials:

 Breadboard

 Multimeter

 Resistors

Diagram:

Figure 1

Diagram showing resistance of each resistance measured by a multimeter on a breadboard


Figure 2

Drawing displaying Series Circuit arrangement


Figure 3

Drawing displaying Parallel Circuit arrangement


Figure 4

Drawing displaying Series-parallel (combination) circuit arrangement


Procedure:

1. Three resistors of same value were chosen, and their colour patterns were recorded.

2. The coded value of each resistor was determined and recorded

3. The multimeter was used to measure the resistance of each resistor which were later

recorded.

4. The percentage experimental error of each resistance value was determined and recorded.

5. The three resistors were connected in series circuit arrangement, using the spring clips on

the breadboard and their combined resistances were measured and recorded.

6. Step 5 was repeated in parallel circuit arrangement.

7. Step 5 was repeated in series-parallel circuit arrangement


Observation:

Table 1.1

Table showing decoded and measured resistance of each resistor

Resistors Colours Coded Measured % Tolerance

Resistance Resistanc Error

e
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
A Yello Violet Red Gold 4.7 kΩ 4.62 kΩ ±5% ± 235 Ω

w
B Brown Black Yello Gold 100 kΩ 96.5 kΩ ±5% ± 5000 Ω

w
C Brown Black Red Gold 1 kΩ 0.985 kΩ ±5% ± 50 Ω

Table 1.2

Table showing experimental error and tolerance calculated between coded and measured

resistance.

{Measured Resistance−Coded Resistance }


Experimental Error= ×100 %
Coded Resistance

Coded Measured Difference Experimental Experimental

Resistance Resistance Error Tolerance


4.7 kΩ 4.62 kΩ 0.08 kΩ 1.7 % ± 78.54
100 kΩ 96.5 kΩ 3.5 kΩ 3.5 % ± 3337.75
1 kΩ 0.985 kΩ 0.015 kΩ 1.5 % ± 14.775
Table 1.3

Table showing measured resistances in different circuit arrangements

Measured Resistance in Measured Resistance in Measured Resistance in

Series Circuit Parallel Circuit Series Parallel


RAB=105.8 kΩ RAB= 0.808 kΩ RA= 4.62 kΩ

RBC= 101.4 kΩ RBC= 0.817 kΩ RBC= 0.974 kΩ

RABC=106.1 kΩ RABC= 0.914 kΩ RABC= 5.6 kΩ

Treatment of results:

Treatment of Result

- Formula for calculating resistance in series circuit Rt =R1 + R2 + R3

1 1 1 1
- Formula for calculating resistance in parallel circuit = + +
R t R1 R2 R 3

1 1 1
- Formula for calculating resistance in series- parallel circuit = + , Rp being the
R p R1 R2

parallel combination to the circuit where, Rt =R1 + R p

Measured Resistances in Series Circuit:

 RAB= 4.62 kΩ+ 96.5 kΩ=101.12kΩ


 RBC= 96.5 kΩ+ 0.985 kΩ=97.485 kΩ

 RABC= 4.62 kΩ+ 96.5 kΩ+0.985 kΩ=102.105 kΩ

Measured Resistances in Parallel Circuit:

1 1
 RAB= + =1.025 kΩ
96.5 kΩ 0.985 kΩ

1 1
 RBC= + =1.231 kΩ
0.985 kΩ 4.62 kΩ

1 1 1
 RABC= + + +¿ 1.242 kΩ
96.5 kΩ 4.62 kΩ 0.985 kΩ

Measured Resistances in Series Parallel Circuit:

 RA= 4.62 kΩ

1 1
 RBC= + =1.025 kΩ
96.5 kΩ 0.985 kΩ

 RABC= 1.025 kΩ+ 4.62 kΩ=5.645 kΩ

Discussion:
On witnessing this experiment, it was observed that the % error and tolerance differed due to

the % error falling in the range of the coded resistances.. On setting up different circuit patterns

for each resistor, the apparent rules of combination were deciphered. In series circuit

arrangement, for equal resistances, the individual resistor’s value can be multiplied by the

number of resistors in series, while for unequal resistances the values of each individual

resistance can be added to find the combined series resistance.

Equal Resistances in Series

RT =R1 ×number of resistors

Unequal Resistances in Series

RT =R1 + R2 + R3

In parallel arrangement, each resistance must be the inverse of each other regardless of equal

resistance or not and the final value is inverse of the Total Resistance.

1 1 1 1
= + +
R T R1 R2 R3

Source of error:

 Inaccurate measurements due to constant fluctuations of multimeter

Limitation/Assumptions/Recommendation/Precaution:

In the experiment, there were no assumptions, recommendations nor limitations, but there was the

precaution of distancing liquid substances during procedure.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, it can be said that colour range of bands influence the coded value of

resistance and tolerance whilst also being an opposing factor towards measured resistance.

References

 Zbar, P. B., Rockmaker, G., & Electronic Industries Association. (1991). Basic

Electricity: A Text-Lab Manual (Subsequent ed.). Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Post Secondary.

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