Expt.No.

1
Date:
OHM’S LAW
Aim:
To determine the resistance of the given wires by plotting a graph of potential difference versus current
and hence to calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.
Apparatus Required:

✓ Resistance wires
✓ A voltmeter and an ammeter of appropriate range
✓ A battery (battery eliminator)
✓ A rheostat
✓ A metre scale
✓ One way key
✓ Connecting wires
✓ A piece of sand paper

Theory:

According to Ohm's Law, at a constant temperature, current 'I' through a conductor between two points is
directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage 'V', across the two points. That is,

where R is a constant called the reistance o thegiven wire.

The specific resistance or resistivity of the material of the wire can be then calculated by using the relation,

Where X is the resistance, L is the length of the wire and r is its radius.
PROCEDURE:-
1) Connect the battery , ammeter, the given coil, rheostat and key in series.
2) The voltmeter is connected in parallel connection across the given coil. The circuit is closed.
3) Now the rheostat is adjusted so that a constant current flows through the coil. Note down
the ammeter reading I and the corresponding potential difference across the coil in the
voltmeter as V. Use the formula to calculate the resistance of the coil.
4) The experiment is repeated for different values of current and the corresponding
potential difference is noted. Calculate the value in each trial. These values will be found to
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 be a constant. Thus verifying Ohm's law.
5) Repeat the same procedure for wire2.
Precautions

1. The ends of connecting wire should be neat and clean.

2. All connections should be kept tight.
3. Positive terminal of ammeter or voltmeter should be connected to positive terminal of the battery or battery
eliminator.
4. The ends of resistance wire must be connected across the terminals of voltmeter.
5. Never allow the current to flow in the resistance wire for a longer time to avoid heating effect of current as
R∝ T.
6. Range of voltmeter should be greater than the applied voltage.
7. A low resistance ranged rheostat must be used.

Source Of Error

1. Reading error may be possible while observing the pointer of ammeter and voltmeter.
2. Thick connecting wires may not be available at the time of performing the experiment.
3. Area of cross-section of resistance wire may not be uniform across the length of wire.
4. There may be the use of. a high resistance rheostat.
5. Current may be allowed for a longer period of time.
6. The terminal screw of the instrument may not be tightened properly.

Results:
Resistance of first wire = -------------- Ω.
The specific resistance (resistivity) of first wire = ……...... Ω m
Resistance of second wire = -------------- Ω.
The specific resistance (resistivity) of second wire = ……...... Ω m

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Circuit Diagram

Perliminary observations:
Length of the first resistance wire l1 =..... .cm
Length of the second resistance wire l2 =...... cm
Diameter of first wire = ------- mm
Diameter of second wire = ----- mm
Range of the given ammeter = ....... A.
Range of the given voltmeter = ....... V.
Least count of ammeter = ...... .A.
Least count of voltmeter = ....... V.
Zero error in ammeter = ........
Zero error in voltmeter = ......

Observations:

Wire
Trial no Ammeter Reading, I (A) Voltmeter Reading (V)
(Ohm)
Wire 1 1
2
3
4
5
6

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 1
Wire 2
2
3
4
5
6

Mean value of resistance, R1 = ....................ohms. R2 = ....................ohms.

Graph:

Observation from graph:

• Slope of V- I graph for first wire = ...........

• R1 from graph = slope = .............. Ω.

• Slope of V- I graph for second wire = ...........

• R2 from graph = slope = .............. Ω.

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Calculations

ρ1 = πr12R1/ L1 =

ρ2 = πr22R2/ L2 =

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