Lab 3: Ohms Law

1. Objective

The purpose of this Lab is to verify Ohms Law

2. Equipments

Breadboard
1 Power Supply -1
2 Digital Multimeter
Resistors:1k,330

3. Theory

THE BASICS
Back in 1826, George Simon Ohm found that for a given circuit at a given temperature, a
definite ratio existed between the potential difference (voltage) and the current. If the
voltage were doubled without changing the temperature, the current would also be doubled.
This ratio of voltage to current is called the resistance, R, of the circuit. Thus,
V / I = R = a constant
If V is measured in volts, and I is measured in amperes (amps), then R is in ohms. Hence,
the ohm is one volt per ampere. The relation between V, I and R is called Ohm's Law, in
honor of George Simon Ohm. In Other words, Ohms Law states that the voltage V across a
resistor is directly proportional to the current I flowing through it. (V=IR)The law should be
familiar in all three of its possible forms:
R=V/I
I=V/R
V=IxR
By extension, we can also calculate the power, P, dissipated by a resistive element:
P=VxI
By simple substitution, we arrive at the other two common expressions for power:
P = V / R
P = I x R

4. Pre-Lab
1) Read the theory related to Ohms Law from your Text Book.

2) Simulate the circuit of Figure 1 using Multisim and measure the voltages and
currents as outlined in the procedure and bring the simulation results along with you
when you come for the Lab.

5. Lab Work

5.1 Verification of Ohms Law

 Rmeas
1. Measure the value of resistor using DMM as an ohm meter and record it. =
2. Construct the circuit as shown in schematic diagram below. Use a DMM for
measuring voltage and another DMM as ammeter for measuring current.

VR VR
3. Adjust the power supply until = 2 V. ( is the voltage across the resistor, not the
supply voltage).

IR
4. Measure the value of current and record it in Table 1.

VR
5. Repeat the procedures for other values of as shown in the table.

I R DMM VR I R DMM VR
6. Plot the curve of vs. using Excel sheet. Take on x-axis and on
y-axis. Clearly indicate each data point on the graph. Give title and subtitles
wherever necessary. Name the curve as R = 1 k.

y V
R
x I
7. Find the value of resistance from the graph by taking the slope .
R practical =

8. Finally, determine the magnitude of percentage difference of measured and practical

value of resistor R using the following formula.

I R ( DMM ) I R ( Calculated)
% Diff 100
I R ( DMM )

9. Complete the Table 2.

Figure 1 Verification of Ohms Law

6. Measurements and Results

Verification of Ohms Law

(Attach your Excel Graph Sheet here)
Table 1

I R DMM I R DMM
VR
(mA) (mA)
(V)
Multisim Measured

Table 2

Method R ()

Measured
(Step 1)
Practical (By
Ohms Law)

Multisim

% Difference

7. Post Lab

Write a suitable conclusion for the experiment (show comparative analysis if any) and
answer the following questions.
Questions:

1. How are the voltmeter and ammeter placed in the circuit to make a correct
measurement?

a) voltmeter

b) ammeter

2. Which meter of the DMM (the voltmeter or Ammeter) forces all the current into the
meter for the measurement? ______________
3. Which meter creates an alternate path for the electrons to follow?
__________________

4. Which meter measures the flow rate of electrons? ______________________

5. Which meter has the largest resistance? ____________ Why?

6. Does the measured value of voltage and current satisfy Ohms Law?

7. Is the calculated value and measured value of current same (in Table 1)? What could
be the source of any discrepancy, if any?