Experiment A3

AIM
lo verify the laws of combination (series/parallel)of resistances using metre

bridge.

APPARATUS REQUIREDD
Resistancebox
.Metrebridge Galvanometer
Jockey Two resistance coils/wires Connecting wires

Sandpaper Current source

THEORY/PRINCIPLE/FORMULA
When resistances (R, the combination is
Series
Combination: R ..)are connected end to end in a circuit,

as series combination.
known
The equivalent resistance of this combination is
given by
R = R+ R,+ ..
same as it passes through various components and the voltage drop across each or
The current remains the
resistors is proportional to its electrical resistance.
the component
=
V, IR,,V,=IR,and soon.
the
Parallel Combination When one ... is connected
terminal of all the resistors to R,R,
positive
of the and the other terminal to terminal of the source then the
borminal
ter voltagesoúrce itsnegative resistorsare
in
connected parallok
The equivalentrésistance R,of a parallelcombingtion of resistancesis given by;
1

R R
the current in each
Ahe voltage drop across each jndividual resistor is the same as the applied voltage but

hdividual resistor gets dividedin inverse proportional to its resistancevalue

2=and and so on.

in
For two resistors parallel combination,
RR2
R,
RR
1.The value of unknown resistance (S) using metre bridge may be determined by the formula,
S R/100-1
where R is resistance introduced in arm AD of metre bridge and I is balancing length of metre bridge
wire for which the galvanometer shows null deflection.
2. For series combination of three resistors

S
=T,t+ T2+T3
3. For parallel combination of three resistors

DIAGRAM
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(100-1)-

Circuit to determine the resistance of series combination of r, and r,.

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A- (100-1)-

LO
Circuit to determine resistance of parallel combination of r, and r.

PROCEDURE
Mark the given resistance wires or coils as and
1.
Connect the wires or coils one by one in the
r, r,.
circuit
as in Experiment No. A2.
Repeat steps 1 to 4 in the experiment to get values of r, and r,
2. Connect the resistances
r, and r, in series in the right gap of the metre bridge. Record the
balancine
length for three different values of R. Calculate r, the resistance of the series
combination of
and r
3. Connect the resistances r, and
r, in parallel the right gap of the metre bridge. Record the
in
balancing
length for three differentvalues of R to calculate
r,

OBSERVATIONS
Resistance S. No.

R
Resistance Length Length Resistance Mean
connected from the box AB = 1 BC=(100-Dr=

7
resistance
R (ohm) (cm) (cm) (ohm) (ohm)
7, only 1.

2.
3.
2
3 70
2
30
133
3.8 86 2
only
30-0
290
00- s2
P:00 T6.92
Tand r 89 7.33
in series
19 2 808 8y 2 ,836
7,
and r, a43 93
CALCULATIONSS
In seriees Experimental value,
Theoretical value,

Difference (if
,.D.1.
any)=
=...3..
ohm
r, +r, =8:25. ohm
ohm
In parallel Experimental valuer = ohmm
Theoretical value,
2
+2
Ohm
Difference (if any)
ww. Ohm

RESULT
1. As the theoretical and experimental values of r, agree within the imitsof
experimental error, the la
series combination of resistances is verified.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Draw the diagram before making connections.
circuit

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires before making connections.

3. The connections should be neat and tight.
4. The plugs of the resistance box should be tight.
5. The value of R should be varied in small steps only (preferably 0.1 ohm each time).
6. The current should be passed for minimum possible timne.
7. The balance point should lie between 40 cm and 60 cm.
8. The resistance wire should not be allowed to form a loop.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. There may be error due to contact resistances.

2. Length wire used up in connections may not be correctly estimated.

of the
some
3. There may be a change in resistance due to heating of wires when current
flows continuously for

time.
and connecting
4. The measurement of resistance is affected by the end resistances due to copper strips

Screws.