Scribd
Upload
3 views

Physics Report 2B

Uploaded by

Salmanu Dalhatu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Physics Report 2B

Uploaded by

Salmanu Dalhatu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

EXPERIMENT 2B

DATE: 10/07/2024
TITLE: VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A CIRCUIT
COLLABORATORS:
1. John Doe
2. Jon Snow
3. Bas-b

AIM: To determine the values of unknown resistors.


APPARATUS:

Key
Battery Rheostat
Switch

Two resistors Ammeter


Voltmeter
Voltmeter R1 and R2

THEORY:
When resistors R1, R2, and R3 are connected in series, the same current (I)
passes through them. The equivalent resistance (R) is given by:

R = R1 + R2 + R3
When resistors are connected in parallel, the potential difference
(voltage, V) across each resistor is the same, but the current is different.
The equivalent resistance (R) is given by:
1 1 1 1
= + +
�1 �1 �2 �3

DIAGRAM: (Reference from Manual)

METHOD/PROCEDURE:
Let's break down the steps clearly:
Setup the Series Circuit:
 Connect the battery, key, rheostat, ammeter, and voltmeter in a
circuit with resistors R1 and R2 connected in series.
 Ensure the ammeter is connected in series to measure the current,
and the voltmeter is connected across R1 and R2 to measure the
voltage.
 Close the key (switch) to complete the circuit.

Record Series Recordings:


 Adjust the rheostat to change the resistance and obtain different
readings.
 For each adjustment, record the current (I1) from the ammeter and the
voltage (V1) from the voltmeter.
 Repeat this to get six pairs of readings (I1, V1).

Set Up the Parallel Circuit:


 Reconnect the circuit so that resistors R1 and R2 are now in parallel.
 Ensure the voltmeter is connected across R1 and R2, and the ammeter
is placed to measure the total current.

Record Parallel Readings:


 Adjust the rheostat again to change the resistance and obtain
different readings.
 For each adjustment, record the current (I2) from the ammeter and the
voltage (V2) from the voltmeter.
 Repeat this to get six pairs of readings (I2, V2).

RESULTS & DEDUCTIONS:


Example Data: Assume the following data for illustrative purposes:
V1 (V) I1(A) V2 (V) I2 (A)
1.0 0.1 1.0 0.2
2.0 0.2 2.0 0.4
3.0 0.3 3.0 0.6
4.0 0.4 4.0 0.8
5.0 0.5 5.0 1.0
6.0 0.6 6.0 1.2

Plotting Graphs:
 Plot V1 against I1 and V2 against I2 on the same axis.
 The slope (k) of each line represents the resistance (R) since V=IR, so
the slope k=R.

Calculating Slopes:
�12 − �11
For the Series circuit: k1 =
�12 − �11
�22 − �21
For the Parallel circuit: k2 =
�22 − �21

QUESTIONS:
1. In which case is the current high and why?
The current is higher in the parallel circuit because the equivalent
resistance is lower when resistors are connected in parallel, allowing more
current to flow through the circuit.

2. In which case is the current small and why?


The current is smaller in the series circuit because the equivalent
resistance is higher when resistors are connected in series, restricting the
flow of current.

3. What is the situation for the voltage readings?


In a series circuit, the total voltage is the sum of the voltages across each
resistor.
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each resistor is the same and equal
to the total voltage of the circuit.

PRECAUTIONS:
 Ensure all connections are tight and secure to avoid resistance errors.
 Use properly calibrated instruments for accurate readings.
 Avoid overheating the resistors by not allowing excessive current to
flow through the circuit for prolonged periods.
 Double-check the connections to ensure resistors are correctly
placed in series or parallel as required.

CONCLUSION:
By plotting the graphs of voltage against current and calculating the
slopes, I determined the equivalent resistances for both the series and
parallel configurations. This method is valid because of Ohm's law, which
states that the voltage across a resistor is directly proportional to the
current flowing through it, with the resistance being the proportionality
constant.

You might also like