PHISICS PRACTICAL

EXPERIMENT 11

Members:
IL RAHMA PRADIRA GESARI X5/13
INAYAH NUR UTAMI X5/14
KHAIRINA IZZATI AMALIA X5/15
KONITA SEPTIASTI X5/16

SMA NEGERI 3 YOGYAKARTA

 EXPERIMENT 11

AIM
To determine the resistance of fixed resistor of low value.

BASIC THEORY

A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact that forms an

adjustable voltage divider.[1] If only two terminals are used (one side and the wiper), it
acts as a variable resistor or Rheostat. Potentiometers are commonly used to control
electrical devices such as a volume control of a radio. Potentiometers operated by a
mechanism can be used as position transducers, for example, in a joystick.

Potentiometers are rarely used to directly control significant power (more than a
watt). Instead they are used to adjust the level of analog signals (e.g. volume controls on
audio equipment), and as control inputs for electronic circuits. For example, a light
dimmer uses a potentiometer to control the switching of a TRIAC and so indirectly
control the brightness of lamps.

A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring the electrical potential difference

between two points in an electric circuit.

An ammeter is a measuring instrument used to measure the electric current in a

circuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes (A), hence the name. Smaller values of
current can be measured using a milliameter or a microammeter.

APPARATUS
 2 accumulators
 key
 rheostat 9range about 20 ohm
 ammeter(0-1A)
 voltmeter (0-5V)
 fixed resistor (about 2 ohm) to be used as unknown resistor
 connecting wires

PROCEDURE
1) Connect the circuit as shown in the figure with the unknown resistor provided.
2) Set the rheostat to maximum resistance. Close the circuit and adjust the rheostat
slowly until the ammeter shows a reading of I = 0, 20 A. record this ammeter
reading I and the voltmeter reading V.
3) Repeat the measurement for I = 0,40A; 0,60A; 0,80A; and 1,00A. the current I
can be changed by adjusting the rheostat.
 4) Tabulate your result in the table below and calculate the resistance R from the
formula R = V/I, finally, find the average value of R.
5) Plot a graph of V against I.
6) Determine the gradient of this graph. The gradient, V/I, of the straight line
represent the average value of R. compare this average value of R with the one
you obtained in step 4.

RESULT
Potential difference Current I(ampere) Resistance R = V/I (ohm)
V(volt)
2 0,02 100
2,5 0,022 125
6 0,042 142,9
8,25 0,064 128,9
11,5 0,086 133,7
Average R 126,1

CONCLUTION
(1) The resistance of the fixed resistor = 126,1 ohm.
(2) The value of R is 126,1 Using different methods.

QUESTION
a) What is the function of the rheostat in the circuit?
→ The rheostat are used to control power and also acts as variable resistor.

b) In the experiment, why do we use only small values of current?

→ Because the rheostat that we use can’t used in too big of current. And the
ammeter and voltmeter have not too big value to measure.

c) For accurate measurement of potential difference and current, the voltmeter

should have no resistance and then Ammeter should have no resistance.

d) To determine the resistance of a fixed resistor of high value, the circuit in this
experiment is not suitable. Complete the circuit for high resistance
measurement.

The experimenters :
Asessor: IL Rahma Pradira Gesari / X-5/ 13
Inayah Nur Utami / X-5/ 14
Khairina Izzati Amalia / X-5/ 15
Konita Septiasti / X-5/ 16
Asessor: The experimenters :
IL Rahma Pradira Gesari / X-5/ 13
Inayah Nur Utami / X-5/ 14
Khairina Izzati Amalia / X-5/ 15
Konita Septiasti / X-5/ 16