LAB REPORT:

Title of experiment:

To study combination of resistors in series check the effect of combination on overall resistance
APPARATUS

• Resistor

• Digital Multimeter(DMM)

• DC Power supply

• Set of wires

What is a Series Circuit

The circuit in which the electricity has to pass through all the components in the
circuit and has no alternate path is termed as a Series Circuit.

In this circuit all the components are connected in the same loop. The most
common example of Series-Circuit is fancy lights or string lights.

What is a series combination of resistor?

In a series circuit, the output current of the first resistor flows into the input of the
second resistor; therefore, the current is the same in each resistor.
In Current and Resistance, we described the term ‘resistance’ and explained the basic
design of a resistor. Basically, a resistor limits the flow of charge in a circuit and is an
ohmic device where V=IR Most circuits have more than one resistor. If several
resistors are connected together and connected to a battery, the current supplied by the
battery depends on the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
The equivalent resistance of a combination of resistors depends on both their
individual values and how they are connected.
ABSTRACT
In summary, a series circuit is defined as having only one path through which
current can flow. From this definition, three rules of series circuits follow: all
components share the same current; resistances add to equal a larger, total
resistance; and voltage drops add to equal a larger, total voltage.

The amount of current in a series circuit is the same through any

component in the circuit.

This is because there is only one path for current flow in a series circuit.
Because electric charge flows through conductors like marbles in a tube, the
rate of flow (marble speed) at any point in the circuit (tube) at any specific
point in time must be equal.

Working Principle
The path for flow of electrons (electricity) is called a Circuit.The intent of any
electrical circuit is to supply electricity for an appliance or any electrical
device.These devices are called loads. Before the load operates, electricity must
have a definite path from the source to the load and back to the source

The figure below shows a typical Series-Circuit where the Resistors (R1, R2, R3)
are connected subsequently with the end of one resistor connected to the other
end of the next resistor to form a loop.The current flows from negative terminal
of the battery through the resistors and hence the current is same across all the
components in a Series Circuit.

The total resistance in a Series Circuit is equal to sum of the individual

resistances.The voltage is different across different resistors and the sum of
voltage drop across each component (resistor) is equal to the applied voltage. A
break in the Series-Circuit will stop the current flow across the circuit.

Theory
Series circuits are sometimes referred to as current-coupled or daisy chain-coupled. The electric
current in a series circuit goes through every component in the circuit. Therefore, all of the
components in a series connection carry the same current.

A series circuit has only one path through which its current can flow. Opening or breaking a series
circuit at any point causes the entire circuit to "open" or stop operating. For example, if even one
of the light bulbs in an older-style string of Christmas tree lights burns out or is removed, the entire
string becomes inoperable until the bulb is replaced.

Terms
Direct current (DC) circuits are characterized by the quantities current, voltage and resistance.

1. Current: The amount of current is the same through any component in

a series circuit.

Components in a series circuit share the same current:

I = I1 = I2 = . . . In
• Current is the rate of flow of charge. The SI unit is the ampere (A). By convention the direction of the
current is the direction of flow of charge, even though in metallic conductors the current is due to flow
of negative charge (electrons) in the opposite direction. Because of conservation of charge, the current
is the same at all points in a single loop circuit. At a branch point in a circuit, where the conducting path
splits into two or more paths, the total current into a branch point equals the total current out of that
point. By convention, current flows out of the positive terminal of a battery or power supply and into
the negative terminal. For current to be maintained in a circuit there must be a complete conducting
path.

2. Voltage: The supply voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the
individual voltage drops.
• Total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual
voltage drops
• V = V1 + V2 + . . . Vn
• Voltage is a measure of the electric potential difference between two points in a circuit. The SI unit is
the volt (V). Since the electrical force is a conservative force, the sum of the voltage increases and
decreases around any closed loop is zero.

3. Resistance: The total resistance of any series circuit is equal to the sum
of the individual resistances.
• The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the
individual resistances:

Req = R1 + R2 + . . . Rn

• Resistance is the property of a circuit element (conductor) to oppose current flow. Resistance is
defined by:

V= I / R

Where V is the voltage across the circuit element and I is the current flowing through it. If R is constant,
the same for all V, then the circuit element obeys Ohm’s Law. Where 0hm’s law states that; Potential
difference in volts V, across the terminals of a given metallic wire in an electric circuit is directly
proportional to the current flowing I through it, given its temperature remains the same.

V∝I

V = I R,

where R is constant of proportionality called Resistance. Factor on which resistance depends: Resistance
of a conductor depends on:

• Its length (l),

• Its area of cross-section (A) and

• The nature of its material.

SI unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω). The resistance of a resistive circuit element changes with
temperature.

Resistor Electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic
circuit.

Equivalent Resistance:

The equivalent resistance of combinations of resistors in series is equal to the sum of their individual
resistances in the circuit. Two or more resistances are said to be connected in series when they are
connected end to end and the same current flows through each of them in turn. In this case, the
equivalent or the total resistance equals the sum of the number of individual resistances present in the
series combination.

Mathematical Expression:

Figure shows 3 resistors, R1, R2, and R3, connected in series in a closed circuit
powered by a single battery or Emf source. In this circuit the current supplied by the
battery flows through each resistor, with the current in each resistor being the same. If
the current supplied by the battery is IT, the current in each resistor is 𝐼1, 𝐼2, and𝐼3,
and they are all one and the same, then 𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼3
Therefore, when resistors are connected in series, the total resistance is just the sum of
the individual resistances. While this has been shown for 3 resistors, the total
resistance of any number N (N≥2) of resistors connected in series, end to end, can be
found using the same general procedure. Therefore, for resistors connected in series

• The current through the circuit will remain the same here.

• The equivalent potential difference is the sum of the individual potential difference across each
resistor.

• As a result, equivalent resistance becomes the sum of individual resistances.

Circuit Diagram of Resistors in Series

Resistors are said to be in series whenever the current flows through the resistors
sequentially. Consider which shows three resistors in series with an applied voltage
equal to . Since there is only one path for the charges to flow through, the current is
the same through each resistor. The equivalent resistance of a set of resistors in a
series connection is equal to the algebraic sum of the individual resistances.
(a) Three resistors connected in series to a voltage source. (b) The original circuit is reduced to
an equivalent resistance and a voltage source.

Symbolic Representation:

let us take two resistors namely R1 and R2.

Let R1 have terminals a1 and b1, and R2 have terminals a2 and b2

Two Resistors to make series connection

Now, if we connect the terminal b1 of resistor R1 and terminal a2 of terminal R2, we
would get a daisy chained type resistor network.

Resistors making Series connection

This is how resistors in series look like when they are connected. Also, we can add
more resistors in the same fashion. These daisy-chained resistors can be
represented as a single resistor, having an effective resistance, Reff. This
replacement of series resistors by a single resistor doesn’t change the overall
current/voltage.

Resistors in Series

EXPERIMENT:
Procedure;
Readings And Calculation:

DEVICE USED:
Ammeters are used to measure current. An ammeter is connected in series with the circuit so that all
the current being measured flows through the ammeter. Therefore, ammeters need to have very small
resistance in order not to alter the current in the circuit. Voltmeters are used to measure voltages. A
voltmeter is connected in parallel at the two points between which the potential difference is to be
measured. Therefore, a voltmeter needs to have a large resistance so that very little current is diverted
through it.
Conclusion:
PRECAUTIONS:
• There should be closed circuit

• There should be proper connection (for series circuits connection should be in series)

• Connection should be tight

• Close the key only when reading are to be taken

Advantages of Series Circuit

The advantages of Series Circuits include:

• Easy to design and build the circuit.

• If a component breaks, the current flow stops.
• It acts as a current regulator.
• The cost to build a Series Circuit is less compared to Parallel Circuit.
• Cells connected in series give a greater resultant voltage than individual cells.
• Voltage increases if the number of cells increases.
• Series circuits do not overheat easily.
• We can connect or disconnect a new electric appliance in the circuit without affecting
the other components in the circuit.

Applications of resistors
There are some important applications of resistors are as given below:

1. Resistors are used in high frequency instrument.

2. Resistor is used in power control circuit.

3. It is used in DC power supplies.

4. Resistors are used in filter circuit networks.

5. It is used in amplifiers, oscillators, telecommunication and digital multimeter.

6. It is used in wave generators.

7. Resistors are used in transmitters, modulators and demodulators.

8. It is used in medical instrument.

9. It is used in instrumentation applications.

10.Resistor is used in voltage regulators.

11. It is used in feedback amplifiers.

Resistor Uses:-
• In-circuit function

The current flow in a circuit can be controlled by using resistors. This type of arrangement is generally
useful in controlling circuit functions like changing the speed of the motor, musical tone pitch, the
loudness of the amplifier, etc.

• Voltage drop

When resistors are connected in series, the voltage drops across each resistor to ensure that the device
has the desired potential values. This becomes critical when the input potential is very high compared to
the working potential of the device.

• Heating applications

You might have noticed that the filament of devices like heater, toaster, electric stove, microwaves, etc
glows due to high temperature. This is because the metal filament acts as a resistor, and as current
passes through it, it generates heat.

• In circuits containing LEDs and Transistors

Semiconductor devices like LEDs and transistors are sensitive to input current values. Hence, resistors
are used in the circuit to regulate the input value of the current. A simple electrical circuit with resistors
and LED bulbs. Image by halejandropmartz from Pixabay

• Temperature control

According to the joules law of heating, heat is directly proportional to resistance, the square of the
current, and time[H = I2Rt]. This can be used to control the temperature by varying current and time
factors.

• For protection as fusible resistors

Fusible resistors are used to protect from short-circuiting. When the power exceeds the prescribed
limit, then the fuse burns and saves the other components in the circuit. When the power is below the
limits, it functions as a normal resistor.

• In temperature sensors
Thermistors are widely used in temperature sensors. These resistors change their resistance value based
on the temperature. They are generally made up of metal oxides.

• In lighting elements

Electric bulbs and other similar similar lighting elements use a resistive filament to generate light.
Though most of the lighting elements today are based on LEDs.

Disadvantages of Series Circuit

The disadvantages of Series Circuits include:

• If a single bulb in series is blown, then no current will flow in the circuit.
• If the load is increased i.e. if more bulbs are connected then the light gets
dimmer.
• We cannot meet the requirement when the exact same amount of current is required
to pass through the element.
• Each component of a series circuit receives a small voltage so the amount of
current decreases and the device becomes hot and does not work properly.
Hence, the series arrangement is not used in domestic circuits.