Investigating the relationship between

Current and the electric potential

difference

Table of contents

1
Table of contents 2

Introduction 3

Objective 3

Research question 3

Variables 3

Method of data collection 3

Observations and results 3

Conclusion 5

Bibliography 5

Introduction
In this experiment, we will be investigating if there is a relationship between the current flowing
through a resistance and the potential difference across that resistance using a stimulation
called phet.

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Objective
Our aim is to investigate the relationship between the current flowing through a resistance and
the potential difference across that resistance.

Research question
What is the relationship between the current flowing through a 'resistance' and the potential
difference across that resistance?

Variables

Variable Variable measured

Independent Potential difference

Dependent Current

Controlled Resistance of the resistor

Apparatus and materials needed

● Laptop to run the phet simulation
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc
● Battery
● Wires
● Resistors
● Ammeter
● Voltmeter

Method of data collection

1. Set up the circuit (see figure 1.2)
2. Adjust the voltage of the battery to 0
3. Increase the voltage until there is a value
you wish to measure
4. Record the voltage
5. Repeat the steps for any values you wish
to test

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Observations and results
The results of our experiment are presented in the scatter plot and the table below. According to
our data, as we double the voltage the current is also doubled. For instance, at 2 volts the
ampere was 2 and at 4 volts the ampere was 4. In addition to that, we can see that there is
straight light from the origin. This indicates that when the voltage is 0 the current should also be
0.
current (A) Voltage (v) resistance of the material electric potential difference (ΔV)
0 0 2 0
1 2 2 0.5
2 4 2 1
3 6 2 1.5

We

discovered this is Ohm’s law. It states that there is a relationship between current, resistance
and electric potential difference bet. We used the following equation to solve for the resistance
of the material:

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 ∆𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑅

The 𝐼 represents current, ∆𝑉represents the electric potential difference and 𝑅 is for resistance.
However, we altered the equation to ∆𝑉 = 𝐼 · 𝑅 to solve for electric potential difference.

Conclusion
To answer the research question, there is a relationship between electric potential difference,
current and resistance, as stated in Ohm’s law. We also noticed that increasing the current also
resulted in an increase in electric potential difference, and vice versa. Therefore, the current is
directly proportional to the electric potential difference.

Discussion
Since this experiment was conducted using a stimulation known as phet, the data is reliable and
trustworthy. There were no such factors that could possibly affect the results. In short, it was
conducted successfully.

Bibliography
Electric potential difference and Ohm's law review (article). (n.d.). Retrieved February 02,2021,
from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-physics/dc-circuits/electric-current-resistivity-
and-ohms-law/a/voltage-and-ohms-law-ap1#:~:text=Current%20is%20directly%20proportional%
20to,and%20inversely%20proportional%20to%20resistance

Circuit construction kit: Dc. (2019, October 28). Retrieved February 03, 2021, from

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc

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