EXPERIMENT 2: OHM’S LAW

Objectives:

(i) To sketch V-I graph.

(ii) To verify Ohm’s law.
(iii) To determine the effective resistance, Reff of the resistors in series and parallel by graphing
method.

Theory:

At constant temperature, the potential difference V across a conductor is directly proportional to the
current I that flows through it. The constant of proportionality is known as the resistance of the
conductor denoted by R.

Mathematically, V  I

V = IR 2.1

For resistors in series, the effective resistance is

Reff = R1 + R2 + R3 + … +Rn 2.2

For resistors in parallel, the effective resistance is

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ...+ 2.3
Reff R1 R2 R3 Rn

Apparatus:

A DC power supply (5 V)
Three resistors of the same resistance (27 )
Two multimeter
A rheostat (potentiometer) (25 )
A slideswitch
Connecting wires
Procedure:

1. Access “Tinkercad”- online 3D modeling program by clicking the following link:

https://www.tinkercad.com/.

Note: Please sign in with google account.

2. On the dashboard, click on the “Circuits” button (Step 2a). Next, click “Create new Circuit”
button (Step 2b) as shown in Figure 2.1.

Step 2b
Step 2a

Figure 2.1

3. At “Components” drop down list, choose “All” as shown in Figure 2.2.

Figure 2.2
4. Search all the apparatus needed, drag and drop all the apparatus in the simulation region as
shown in Figure 2.3.

Figure 2.3

5. Set up the circuit as shown in Figure 2.4 using connecting wires. Screenshot the circuit set
up and attach the picture in your lab report.

Rheostat 5V
S

mA

R1 R2 R3

Figure 2.4
Note: For potentiometer connect the wire to the “Terminal 1” and “Wiper” only.
For slideswitch connect the wire to the “Terminal 1” and “Common” only.
6. Make the following adjustment by right clicking relevant component as shown in Table 1.

Relevant component Changes

Resistor Set to 27 Ω
Multimeter 1 Change mode to Amperage
Multimeter 2 Change mode to Voltage
Potentiometer Set to 25 Ω
Power supply Set to 5 V
Table 1
7. Click “Start Simulation” button and change the resistance value in potentiometer by adjusting
sliding contact to get minimum value of milliammeter. Record the reading of the voltmeter V
and the milliammeter I.

8. Adjust sliding contact on the potentiometer to change the resistance values to obtain at least
six different values of V and I.

9. Tabulate the data.

10. Plot a graph of V against I.

11. Determine the effective resistance, Reff of the three resistors connected in series from the
gradient of graph.

12. Compare the values obtain in step (11) with the calculated value.

13. Set up the circuit as in Figure 2.5. Screenshot the circuit set up and attach the picture in your
lab report.
Rheostat 5V
S

A
R1

R2

R3

Figure 2.5

14. Repeat steps (7) to (10).

15. Determine the effective resistance, Reff of the three resistors connected in parallel from the
gradient of graph.

16. Compare the values obtain in step (15) with the calculated value.

17. Verify Ohm’s law from the plotted graphs. Write a comment.