I – Identifying relationships.

Identify each of the following statements as being a

characteristic of (a) a series circuit, (b) a parallel circuit, (c) both a series circuit, (b) a parallel
circuit, (c) both a series and parallel circuit:

(i) I = V/R
(ii) The total resistance in the circuit is the sum of the individual resistances.
(iii) The total current in the circuit is the sum of the current in each resistance.
(iv) The current in each part of the is the same.
(v) A break in any part of the circuit causes is the same.

II. (a) What is the current flowing in a circuit if the charge passing each point is (i) 12C in 3s, (ii)
360C in 2 minutes
(b) If the current through a heater is 4A, what charge passes in (i) 8s (ii) 2 minutes

2. (a) The voltage across a 3 ohms resistance wire is 6V. How large is the current?
(b) What is the resistance of a filament bulb when a voltage of 3V across it causes a current of
0.5A?
(c) Find the voltage across a manganin wire of resistance 6- ohms carrying a current of 2A.

3. (a) A lamp draws a current of 0.25A when it is connected to a 240V source. What is the
resistance of the lamp?
(b) Calculate the current flowing through a 5- ohm resistor when a potential difference of 2V is
applied across it.

Resistors - basically used to limit the current in circuit.

3 factors to be considered apart from the values are:

1. the tolerance: exact values cannot be guaranteed by mass – production methods but this is
not disadvantage because in most electronics circuits the values of resistors are not critical.

2. the power rating: this is the maximum power which can be developed in a resistor without
damage occurring by overheating.

3. the stability: this is the ability to keep the same value with the changes of temperature and
with age.

Fixed Resistor
Four types are shown in the table with their methods of construction and properties

Property/Type Carbon Carbon film Metal oxide Wirewound

composition
Maximum value 20 M- ohms 10M - ohms 100M - ohms 270 ohms
Tolerance +- 10% +- 5% +- 2% +- 5%
 Power rating 0.125 – 1 W 0.25 – 2 W 0.5W 2.5 W
Stability poor good Very good Very good
Use general general Accurate work Low values

Resistance Codes

Colour code – show how the first three coloured bands on a resistor give its resistance in ohms
and the fourth band the tolerance.
Number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Colour black brown red yellow green blue violet gray white
orange

Printed code. The code is printed on the resistor and consists of letters and numbers. Use as
circuit diagrams and on variable resistor.
Example.
Value 0.27 3.3 10 220 1K - 68K - 100K - 4.7M -
ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms
Mark R27 3R3 10R 220R 1K0 68K 100K 4M7

Variable Resistors: For power ratings up to 2W, the track is made either of carbon or of cermet
(ceramic and metal oxide); above 2W it is wirewound.

Questions:
1. What is the value and tolerance of R1, R2 and R3 colour coded in the table below
Band 1 2 3 4
R1 brown black red silver
R2 yellow violet orange gold
R3 green blue yellow none

2. What is the colour code for the following:

a) 150 ohms±10% b) 10 ohms±5% c) 3.9k- ohms ±10%
d) 10k-ohms±10% e) 330k-ohms±10% f) 1M - ohms±10%
g) .33 ohms±10% h) 1.5 ohms ±5%

3. Determine the colour coded value, maximum and minimum values of the following resistors.
Color coded value Colour bands Maximum value Minimum value
R1 Red, red, silver, gold
R2 Orange, orange, gold,
gold
R3 Green, black, black,
gold
R4 Blue, gray, brown,
gold
R5 Brown, red, red, gold