Current in Simple DC Circuit

LAB REPORT 4

Introduction to Physics II
PHY 132
Professor Chukwuemeka Patrick Abbey
Professor Chukwudi Ugwumba
25th February 2022.

STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME: Abdul-Qudus Jimoh
ID NUMBER: A00021513
GROUP MEMBERS
 Anointing Izuchukwu
 Samuel Onyebuchi
 Isioma Enwerem
 Clinton Chuks
 Objectives
The objectives of this experiment were to:
 Draw, read, and connect circuit diagrams with essential circuit elements,
 Distinguish between series and parallel circuits,
 Correctly use a multimeter to measure current and voltage using the
ammeter and voltmeter settings,
 And to understand the flow of electric current in a DC circuit and the
relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in the same DC circuit.
N.B: By the previous lab session, ohm’s law states that the current through a
conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two
points.

Apparatus
The following apparatus was needed for this experiment:
1. DC power generator
2. Alligator clips
3. Multi-meter
4. Bulbs and holders
5. A4 Paper

Overview
The multimeter is a device that measures current and voltage and displays it as a
function of time on its screen. It will allow you to explore the current at different
locations and under different conditions in your electric circuits.

Theory
The continuous movement of electric charge from high to low potential is known
as direct current (DC). A direct current circuit is one in which electricity travels in
just one direction. While an electric circuit is closed, a direct electric current runs,
so when the circuit is open, it ceases entirely. A switch is a gadget that allows you
to make or break an electric circuit. In a full circuit, a direct current (DC) electrical
circuit consists of a DC electricity supply with a conducting wire running from one
of the source terminals to a series of electrical devices and back to the other
terminal. DC electricity cannot operate without a DC circuit. DC circuits may be
configured in sequence, parallel, or a hybrid of the two. Voltage (V), current (I),
and resistance (R) are the components of electricity flowing through a wire or other
conductor (R). Potential energy is represented by voltage, current by the number of
electrons moving through the wire, and resistance by the friction force acting on
the electron flow. Ohm's law describes the relationship between voltage, current,
and resistance. According to Ohm’s law, electric current is directly proportional to
V
voltage and -: I = R ,is the equation that represents in inversely proportional to
resistance. As the voltage rises, the current rises in sync but as resistance rises, then
the current falls.

PROCEDURES
 Series Circuit:
I set up a circuit of 3-bulbs connected in series. I then turned on the DC
power supply, and set it to 4 volts. I made sure to identify the flow of
conventional current in the circuit. Using the provided ammeter, I separately
measured the current between:
 The power source and bulb-1,
 Bulb-1 and bulb-2,
 Bulb-2 and bulb-3 and,
 Bulb-3 and the power source.
Finally, I recorded the readings on my datasheet. I separately measured the
voltage for the following using the provided voltmeter:
 The entire circuit,
 Bulb-1,
 Bulb-2 and,
 Bulb-3 and the power source.

 Parallel Circuit:
I set up a complex circuit of 1-series and 2-parallel bulbs connection. I
turned on the provided DC power supply and set it to 4 volts again. I made
sure to identify the flow of conventional current in the circuit. I separately
measured the current between the following using the provided ammeter:
  Power source and Bulb-1,
 Power source and Bulb-2,
 2-Parallel bulbs and Bulb-3 and,
 Bulb-3 and the power source.
Finally, I recorded the readings on my datasheet. I separately measured the
voltage for the following using the provided voltmeter:
 Across the circuit,
 Bulb-1,
 Bulb-2 and,
 Bulb-3 and power source.

DATA ANALYSIS
 Draw a schematic diagram of the power supply in series with a bulb.
 Draw a schematic diagram of the voltmeter in your circuit to correctly
measure the voltage drop across the bulb.
 Draw a schematic diagram of an ammeter in your circuit to correctly
measure the current going into the bulb.
 Draw the series and parallel circuit connections indicating which
direction the conventional current flows in the circuit.
 Plot a graph of current (I) against voltage (V); use only the series
connection circuit values.
TABLE 1: SERIES CIRCUIT
CURRENT (I) VOLTAGE (V)
0.08 (Power source & Bulb-1) 3.99 (Entire circuit)
0.08 (Bulb-1 & Bulb-2) 1.35 (Bulb-1)
0.08 (Bulb-2 & Bulb-3) 1.32 (Bulb-2)
0.08 (Bulb-3 & Power source) 1.30 (Bulb-3 & Power source)

TABLE 2: PARALLEL CIRCUIT

CURRENT (I) VOLTAGE (V)
0.07 (Power source & Bulb-1) 3.95 (Entire circuit)
0.07 (Power source & Bulb-2) 0.84 (Bulb-1)
0.14 (2-parallel bulbs & Bulb-3) 0.88 (Bulb-2)
0.14 (Bulb-3 & Power source) 2.84 (Bulb-3 & Power source)
GRAPH FOR SERIES CONNECTION
Graph for Series Connection
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
Current (I)

0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Voltage (V)

PRECAUTIONS
 I ensured that I handled the provided bulbs with care to prevent them from
breaking.
 I made sure all the bulbs were working by individually connecting them to
the electrometer.
 I ensured that liquids were kept out of the vicinity.
 I made sure to use only 4V throughout the entirety of the experiment.
 I made sure the power was changed from AC to DC before using the
multimeter.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The aim of this lab is to gain a sound understanding of circuits, their
elements, and various types of connections, and to be able to use the ammeter
and voltmeter of the multimeter to measure the current and voltages flowing
between different parts of the circuit. The aim of the lab was achieved because
we were able to measure the voltage and current using the voltmeter and
ammeter of the multimeter. Also, through the analysis of the result, it was
shown that there was an understanding of the different circuit combinations. In
parallel, the total current would be gotten using I Parallel = I1 + I2 and the total
voltage would be gotten using VParallel = V1 = V2. The values gotten in the table
followed this trend. Whereas for series, the total current would be gotten using
ISeries = I1 = I2 and the total voltage would be gotten using V Series = V1 + V2. The
values on the table also followed this trend. Therefore, the lab was successful.