Lab Manual:

Introduction to Circuits
Using the TI Electronics Kit for NI ELVIS III

Lab 1: Ohm’s Law

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Lab 1: Ohm’s Law
In this lab, you will learn about Ohm's law. Ohm's law defines the relationship between
voltage, current, and resistance, and is one of the key laws of electrical circuits.

You will use Multisim to simulate the behavior of basic circuits. Then you will explore
further with the NI ELVIS III, to confirm the relationship between voltage, current, and
resistance.

Learning Objectives

After completing this lab, you should be able to:

1. Describe Ohm’s law and use it to perform calculations

2. Confirm one of the components of Ohm’s law, given the other two

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Required Tools and Technology
Platform: NI ELVIS III
Instruments used in this lab:
● Digital Multimeter
Note: The NI ELVIS III Cables and
Accessories Kit (purchased separately)
is required for using the instruments.
Hardware: NI ELVIS III Default
Prototyping Board
Hardware: TI Electronics Kit
Software: NI Multisim Live
 You will run a pre-built circuit
embedded in this web page with
Multisim Live in order to observe
the relationship between voltage,
current, and resistance.
 View User Manual:
http://www.ni.com/en-
us/support/model.ni-elvis-iii.html
 View Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLvcPIuVaUMIWm8ziaSxv0gwt
shBA2dh_M
 Install Soft Front Panel support:
http://www.ni.com/documentation/en/
ni-elvis-iii/latest/getting-
started/installing-the-soft-front-panel/
 View Breadboard Tutorial:
http://www.ni.com/tutorial/54749/en
Components used in this lab:
 1 k Potentiometer on Protoboard
 Resistors of various values
 Access online http://multisim.com
 View Help http://multisim.com/help/
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Expected Deliverables

In this lab, you will collect the following deliverables:

 Calculations of voltage using Ohm’s law

 Data from simulation and circuit-building
 Observations about voltage and Ohm’s law

Your instructor may expect you to complete a lab report. Refer to your instructor for
specific requirements or templates.

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1.1 Theory and Background

Figure 1-1 Video Screenshot. View the video here: youtu.be/wL3JSh8LWkU

Video Summary

● Ohm’s law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly
proportional to its voltage.
● Mathematically, V=IR where V is voltage, I is current, R is resistance.
● Given any two values, the formula for Ohm's Law can be rearranged to find the
unknown.

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Fundamentals of Ohm’s Law

Ohm's law is one of the key laws of electricity. Ohm's Law states that the direct current
flowing in a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference, or voltage,
between its ends. It is expressed in the equation:

V =I R

Equation1-1

V is voltage (or potential difference) across the resistor, I is current, and R is resistance.

Using Ohm's Law

Given the value of any two of the variables in the formula, the equation V=IR can be
rearranged to determine the unknown value. An easy way to remember the formula for
one of the variables is to arrange the formula into a pyramid, as shown in Figure 1-2
below. Cover the value you wish to solve for to reveal its formula in terms of the other
two variables.

Figure 1-2 These triangles will help you rearrange the Ohm's law formula.

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 Check Your Understanding

Note: The following questions are meant to help you self-assess your understanding so far.
You can view the answer key for all “Check your Understanding” questions at the end of the lab.

1-1 Which equation represents Ohm’s Law?

A. V=IxR
B. V=I/R
C. I=RxV
D. None of the above

1-2 Current is ________ proportional to applied voltage.

A. Inversely
B. Increasingly
C. Directly
D. Not

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Applications of Ohm’s Law

By defining the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance, Ohm's law allows
you to make a variety of measurements and determine key values for many electrical
components.

Ohm's law is used to design fuses and circuit breakers. Normally, fuses and circuit
breakers are rated by current. This means that designers need Ohm's law to determine
what rating is appropriate for a given electronic device based on its internal resistance
and power supply.

Ohm's law is also the principle behind the ammeter shunt (also known as a shunt
resistor). An ammeter shunt is a resistor with an accurately known value. When the
current in a circuit is beyond an ammeter's range, it can be connected in parallel with an
ammeter shunt. Most of the current is redirected along the path of the shunt, which
usually has a very small resistance value. Ohm's law is needed to determine the
amount of current redirected through the shunt, which is added with the ammeter
reading to give the total current in the circuit. Ammeter shunts may be found
inside ammeters or attached externally.

In addition, Ohm's law can be used in calculations for electric power, P, which itself is
given by:

P=V I
Equation 1-2

Ohm's law gives you V=IR (Equation 1-1), which allows you to express power in terms
of current and resistance:

P=I 2 R
Equation 1-3

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You can also express power in terms of voltage and resistance by using the following
equation:

V2
P=
R
Equation 1-4

This allows you to determine the power rating for an electrical appliance given its
voltage and resistance.

1-3 Ammeter shunts are connected so that most of the current passes through them,
allowing the ammeter to accurately measure the precise amount of current that remains.
Why do ammeter shunts usually have very small resistance values?

A. To decrease the voltage in the circuit

B. So they take on very large amounts of current
C. So current passes through them very slowly
D. Because they are very small

1-4 Given the formula for power, P=VI, which equation correctly expresses power in
terms of current and resistance?

A. P = I / R2
B. P = I 2/ R
C. P=IxR
D. P = I2x R

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1.2 Exercise: Calculate IR Relationship using Ohm's Law

You will start this lab by analyzing a circuit that demonstrates Ohm’s Law.

First, you will use Equation 1-1, Ohm's Law to calculate the current flowing through a
resistor for resistances of 330 Ω, 1 kΩ, and 3.3 kΩ. Then, you will calculate the current
given different supply voltage values, as shown in the table below. Finally, you will find
these values using a simulated circuit and compare your observed values to those you
have calculated. 

1-5 Enter the calculated values in the table.

Table 1-1

R=330 Ω R=1 kΩ R=3.3k Ω

Supply Voltage (V) Calculated I (mA) Calculated I (mA) Calculated I (mA)

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1.3 Simulate: Ohm’s Law Measurement

You will use Multisim Live to simulate a circuit with a 330 Ω resistor and varying
voltages, from 1 V to 5 V, and record the current in each case. Then, you will repeat the
process with 1 kΩ and 3.3 kΩ resistors. 

Instructions:

Simulate Your First Circuit

1. Access the Multisim Live circuit Ohm’s Law at:

https://www.multisim.com/content/sZ2Da8WmAn6mXq23mHC9NP/ohms-law/.
Notice that the circuit uses a DC power supply to provide voltage across a
resistor.
2. Click on and modify the V1 power supply voltage to 1 V. 
3. Click Run to begin simulating the circuit.
4. Measure the current detected by the DC current probe PR1.

 Open Split view to see the charted value of the current.

 If necessary, adjust the scale of the graphing window to see the value of
the current.

1-6 Record the measured current in the appropriate location in the table.

Table 1-2

R=330 Ω R=1 kΩ R=3.3k Ω

Supply Voltage (V) Measured I (mA) Measured I (mA) Measured I (mA)

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Simulate Varying Voltages

1. Modify the voltage at V1 to values of 2 V through 5 V, according to the table

above.
2. For each voltage, measure the DC Current. 
3. Record your results in the table.
4. When all of the measurements for the 330 Ω resistor have been taken, stop the
simulation by clicking Stop.

Simulate a 1 kΩ Resistance

1. When the simulation is stopped, double-click the 330 Ω resistor and change the
resistance to 1000 Ω, or 1 kΩ.
2. Click Run to begin simulating the circuit.
3. Modify the voltage provided by V1 to values of 1 V through 5 V, as directed in the
table above.
4. Measure the DC current using the Current Probe, and record your results in the
table. 
5. When all of the measurements for the 1 kΩ resistor have been taken, stop the
simulation by clicking Stop.

Simulate a 3.3 kΩ Resistance

1. When the simulation is stopped, double-click the 1 kΩ resistor and change the
resistance to 3300 Ω, or 3.3 kΩ. 
2. Click Run to begin simulating the circuit. 
3. Complete the last column of the table by modifying the voltage at V1 and
recording the current. 
4. Click Stop when you have completed the table.

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1.4 Implement: Finding Resistance of a Potentiometer

You will now go beyond simulation and use the NI ELVIS III to confirm the relationships
given by Ohm's law. You will do this by creating an actual circuit on the NI ELVIS
Protoboard.

Note: A potentiometer is a resistor that can have its resistance value manually
changed. This activity will use the 1 k potentiometer on the NI ELVIS Protoboard to
implement a random, unknown resistance. By applying a known voltage and measuring
the current through the potentiometer, you can calculate its resistance.

Instructions:

1. Connect the following circuit:

 Remember to turn off the protoboard while wiring.

Figure 1-3 Circuit diagram for finding the current through the potentiometer.

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 2. Spin the 1 k potentiometer to a new position.
3. Turn on the NI ELVIS III and ensure it is connected to your computer.

4. From the Instruments tab of Measurements Live, open the following instruments:

 Digital Multimeter (DMM)

Note: For more information about accessing Measurements Live and launching
instruments, visit http://www.ni.com/documentation/en/ni-elvis-iii/latest/getting-
started/launching-soft-front-panels/.

5. Set the Measurement mode to DC Current.

6. Measure the current through the circuit using the DMM.
7. Use Ohm's Law to calculate the resistance of the potentiometer, knowing that 5 V
is applied.

1-7 What is the measured current?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1-8 What is the calculated resistance?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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Confirm Resistance Using DMM

1. Change the circuit configuration to the following:

Figure 1-4 Configuration for confirming resistance with the DMM.

2. Set the DMM to measure resistance with Range set to 5 kΩ.

3. Measure the resistance of the potentiometer.
 Be sure to turn off the protoboard while wiring and turn it back on when
done.

1-9 What was the measured resistance value of the potentiometer?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1-10 Did the measured resistance value match the calculated resistance value? Why or
why not?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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1.5 Implement: Finding Resistance of an Unknown Resistor

You will use the NI ELVIS III to experiment with Ohm's law and confirm the value of a
resistor compared to its color code specification.

In this activity, you will randomly select a resistor and wire it into a circuit using the NI
ELVIS III. By applying a known voltage and measuring the current, you can calculate
the unknown value of the resistor.

Instructions:

1. Select a random resistor from the kit and connect it into the following circuit:

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 Figure 1-5 Circuit diagram for measuring the current through the random resistor.

2. Measure the current through the circuit using the DMM.

3. Use Ohm's Law to calculate the resistance of the resistor, knowing that 5 V is
applied.

1-11 What is the measured current?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1-12 What is the calculated resistance?

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_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Confirm Resistance Using Color Codes and DMM

Resistors are color-coded to indicate their values.

Check the specified resistance of the one you selected using the color
code: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_color_code#Resistor_color-coding.

1-13 According to the color codes, what resistance should the resistor demonstrate?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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Now, use the digital multimeter to directly measure the resistance of the component.

1. Change the circuit configuration to the following:

Figure 1-6 Circuit diagram for measuring the resistance of the component with the DMM.

2. Measure the resistance of the component using the DMM set to resistance
mode.
 If the reading is over, increase the Range.
 Make sure to turn off the protoboard while measuring resistance and turn
it back on when done.

1-14 What was the measured resistance value of the component?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1-15 Do the calculated and measured resistance values fall within the color code
range? Why or why not?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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1.6 Investigate: Non-Linear and Negative Resistance Compoents

Most resistance components follow Ohm's law and can be referred to as ohmic. There
are cases in which Ohm's law does not apply as expected, such as non-linear resistors
and negative resistance components. While it is likely you will not be interacting with
non-linear or negative resistance components until you have a more advanced grasp of
electronics, these concepts provide an interesting contrast to Ohm’s law and are
included here as a related topic.

Non-Linear Components

Most resistors are linear. This means that they provide the same resistance all the time,
so that the ratio between current and voltage is constant. This phenomenon follows
from Ohm's law, where R=V/I. The values you determined during the calculation
exercise should show the linear nature of the V-I relationship. 

Some resistors cause current and voltage to vary non-linearly. Known as non-linear
resistors, they do not follow Ohm's law. For example, thermistors
and photoresistors vary their resistance values according to increases in temperature
and light, respectively. Another type of non-linear component is the varistor. A
varistor’s resistance increases as voltage increases. Non-linear resistors have
many applications in the real world.

Read more about non-linear resistors:

tutorialspoint.com/basic_electronics/basic_electronics_nonlinear_resistors.htm

Negative Resistance Components 

In general, we think of circuit components as having positive values for resistance.

When voltage passes through a positive resistor, voltage is dropped (decreased) across
the resistor and power is consumed.

It is also possible for a component to have negative resistance. Voltage increases

across components with negative resistance. A component that exhibits this behavior is
said to be a negative resistance component. Although they are generally rare, one
common example is a fluorescent lamp.

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Normally, voltage increases directly proportionally with current. Typically an increase in
voltage leads to a corresponding increase in current, as per the equation I = V / R. In a
circuit with at least one negative resistance component, however, an
increase in voltage can lead to a decrease in current, since R is negative. 

Read more about negative resistance:

en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Circuit_Idea/Negative_Resistanceelectronbunker.ca/eb/Negative
Resistance.html

1-16 Describe the difference between regular (ohmic) resistors and non-linear/negative
components. How would the presence of a non-linear or negative component change
how you might analyze a circuit?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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1.7 Conclusion

These questions will help you review and interpret the concepts learned in this lab.

1-17 In your own words, describe Ohm's law. Give two instances from the real world or
from your educational career in which it would be used.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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1-18 What is the current of the circuit?

Figure 1-7 Calculate the current in this circuit.

A. Volts
B. 5 Amps
C. 5 Amps
D. 2 Amps

1-19 The watt (W) is the unit for electrical power, where P = I x V. Express the watt in
terms of ohms (Ω), amperes (A), and/or volts (V):

A. W = V2 x Ω
B. W = A2 x Ω
C. W=AxVxΩ
D. W=Ω/AxV

1-20 Were your observations from the simulated circuit in the Simulate step consistent
with your calculations from the Exercise step? If not, why do you think that is?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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1-21 Record any observations from your experiments in relation with Ohm's law that you
have not yet noted. Reference your calculations from the exercise and your results from
the simulation and experiment steps.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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 Answer Key – Check Your Understanding Questions Only

Check Your Understanding

1-1 A
1-2 C
1-3 B
1-4 D

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