School of Engineering

Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology Cluster

DC Circuits Laboratory
Lab No. 2

Ohm’s Law
Objective:
 Use the Digital Multimeter to measure the current in the circuit.
 Use the Digital Multimeter to measure the voltage across a resistor.
 Experimentally verify the relationship between current, voltage and resistance stated
by Ohm’s law.

Reference Reading
 Chapter 4: Boylestad. “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, Twelfth Edition.
 Class Notes.

Summary of the Theory

Ohm’s law describes the relationship between current, voltage and resistance mathematically
by the following:
V
I
R (1)
Equation (1) above represents a straight line. It can be written as:
1
I V
R (2)

1
Comparing (2) to the straight line equation; y  mx  C , we find that the voltage V is the
independent variable (x), the current I is the dependent variable (y), the reciprocal of the
resistor (1/R) is the slope of the line (m) and the constant C is zero. The graph of the current
versus the voltage is straight line passing the origin (figure 1).

I (ampere)

I

V

0 V (volt)
0

Figure 1 – Graph of I versus

V

It is easy to extract the resistance value from the graph in Figure 1 by evaluating the slope
m  I V . The resistance is the reciprocal of the slope R  1 m or R  V I

The digital multimeter (DMM) encompasses several functions in one box; a voltmeter, an
ammeter, an ohmmeter and a few other functions. The voltage across an electric element is
measured using a voltmeter or the voltmeter function of the DMM; the leads of the voltmeter
(or DMM) are connected in parallel with the element (see figure 2-a). The resistance of the
voltmeter is very high and its current is very small compared to the current in the element
and it is ignored. Connecting or removing the voltmeter does not change the circuit.

R V
R
A

Figure 2- a Figure 2- b

The ammeter or the ammeter function of the DMM is connected in series with element in the
circuit (see figure 2-b) by breaking the node and inserting the ammeter. The resistance of the
ammeter is very small and it is usually ignored without affecting the measurements.

Electrical component are normally used below their power rating. For example a 1.5 k
resistor rated at ¼ watt operation condition should not exceed the following:

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 V
1- Maximum voltage: since P  2
R the VR(max)    19.4 (V)
n PR (0.25)(1500)
P 0.25
2- Maximum current: since P  I the IR(max)  R  1500  12.9 (mA)
2
R n

Typically electrical component operate at 80% of the maximum voltage and current

Pre-Lab Work
 The power rating of the resistor in your kit is ½ watt. Calculate the maximum
allowable current and voltage for the 1.2 k and the 2.7k resistors. Remember
to write the formulae each time used.

Equipment and Materials

 DC power supply {make and model}
 Digital multimeter (DMM) {make and model } quantity: 2
 ½ watt rated 1.2 k and 2.7 k resistors.
 Breadboard.
 Multimeter leads and alligator clips.
 Jumper wires.

Procedure
1. Set the multimeter to ohmmeter function.
2. Measure the 1.2 k and the 2.7 k resistors and record the measured
actual resistance for each in table (1).
3. Switch the DC supply to ON. Reduce the voltage to ZERO then switch it back to OFF.
4. Build the circuit in figure (3) using R= 1.2 k resistor.
5. Set DMM-1 to voltmeter function and DMM-2 to ammeter function.
6. Switch the DC supply ON. Increase the voltage gradually untill the voltage across
the resistor VR reaches exactly10.0 (V). Record the ammeter reading in table (2).
Ensure that you select the minimum possible scale for both DMMs to achive the
highest accuracy.
7. Gradually reduce the voltage of the DC supply untill the voltage across the resistor is
exactly 9.00 (V). Record the current in table (2).
8. Repeat step 7 above for the the values listed in table (2).
9. Switch the DC supply to OFF.
10. Replace the 1.2 k resistor with the 2.7 k resistor.
11. Repeat steps 6 through to 9 recording the data in table (3).

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Circuit Diagrams

DMM -2

V DMM -1

Fig. 3

Results

Table -1
Nominal Measured actual
Resistor
resistance resistance
1 1.2 k
2 2.7 k

Table - 2 Table - 3
1.2 k case 2.7 k case
VR IR VR IR
10.0 (V) 10.0 (V)
9.00 (V) 9.00 (V)
8.00 (V) 8.00 (V)
7.00 (V) 7.00 (V)
6.00 (V) 6.00 (V)
5.00 (V) 5.00 (V)
4.00 (V) 4.00 (V)
3.00 (V) 3.00 (V)
2.00 (V) 2.00 (V)
1.00 (V) 1.00 (V)
0.00 (V) 0.00 (V)

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Calculations
1.
Plot a graph of IR vs VR for the data in table (2) and the data in table (3) on the same
graph paper. Use a graph paper not a square ruled paper. The graph should occupy
most of the graph paper page. Do not forget to write the graph title and to label both
axis.
2.
Calculate the resistance of each resistor from the slope of the graph. Write down all
the steps of the calculations. Do not write the calculations on the graph paper.
Write the formulae each time used.
3.
Use the graph to find the current in the 1.2 k and 2.7 k resistor for the
voltages listed in table (4) below. Record the currents in table (4).

Table - 4
1.2 k case 2.7 k case
VR (V) IR R (k) VR IR R (k)
8.50 5.30 (V)
1.80 2.60 (V)

4.
Use the data in table (4) to calculate the resistance of the resistor for each value of
the current and record in table (4).

Questions and Conclusion

1- Compare the measured actual resistance to the resistance value calculated from
the graphs (calculation 2 and 4).
2- Comment on what would happen if the same procedure of this lab is conducted using
same resistors and range of voltages between 30.0 (V) and 0.00 (V) instead of 10.0 (V)
to 0.00 (V).
3- What shape does the graph of IR vs R take when V is constant? Explain.

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