Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

CIRCUITS LABORATORY
Experiment # 2:
Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws and Voltage Loading

OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of the experiment is to introduce you to basic laws of electrical
engineering. In this experiment, firstly, ohm’s law is briefly explained. Secondly, Kirchhoff’s
voltage law (KVL) and Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) is examined. Lastly, voltage loading
concept is given.

INFORMATION

Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s law states that the potential difference (voltage) across an ideal resistance is directly
proportional to the current through the resistance. The relationship between the voltage and
current for a resistor is as follows:

𝒗 = 𝒊𝑹 (1)

where 𝑣 is the voltage measured across the resistor in terms of volts, 𝑖 is the current through the
resistor in terms of amperes and 𝑅 is the resistance in terms of ohms (Fig. 1). As seen from the
figure, the voltage 𝑣 drops across the resistor in the direction of current 𝑖 (passive sign
convention).

Fig. 1 Ohm’s Law

Power of a resistor is calculated as multiplying the voltage across the resistor and the current
through the resistor. The detailed information about Ohm’s law could be found in [1].

𝒑 = 𝒗𝒊 or 𝒑 = 𝒊𝟐𝑹 or 𝒑 = 𝒗𝟐/𝑹 (2)

Kirchhoff’s Laws

In order to analyze an electrical circuit, the voltage across and the current through every
element should be determined. Although Ohm’s law provides the relationship between the
voltage and current on a resistor, it is not enough to determine the voltage across and the current
through every element in the circuit. Kirchhoff’s laws introduce two important algebraic
relationships to analyze electrical circuits.
 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL) states that
the sum of currents flowing into a node is the directed sum of the voltages around any
equal to the sum of currents flowing out of closed network is zero.
that node.

Fig. 2 Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) Fig. 3 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

Fig. 2 shows an illustrative example to Fig. 3 shows an example to explain the

explain the KCL. In this example, at node x, KVL. In this example, the algebraic relation
sum of the currents ia and ib must be equal to could be expressed as follows:
current ic as follows:
𝑽𝒔 − 𝑽𝟏 − 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑 = 𝟎 (4)
𝒊𝒂 + 𝒊𝒃 = 𝒊𝒄 (3)

The detailed information about Kirchhoff’s law could be found in [2].

Voltage Loading

Consider the circuit that is given in Fig.
4. The voltage across the second resistor
(V2) can be calculated by using Ohm’s and
Kirchhoff’s Laws as follows:
𝑹𝟐
𝑽𝟐 = 𝑽𝒔
𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐
Assume that a resistor 𝑅𝐿 is connected
parallel with 𝑅2. In this case, the voltage
(Vo) can be determined as follows:
𝑹𝟐
𝑽𝒐 = 𝑽𝒔
𝑹𝟏[𝟏 + (𝑹𝟐/𝑹𝑳)] + 𝑹𝟐

Fig. 4 A Simple Resistive Circuit. Fig. 5 A Simple Resistive Circuit with Load.

It is important to note that 𝑉𝑜 approaches to 𝑉2 as 𝑅𝐿 → ∞. Additionally, as long as 𝑅𝐿 ≫ 𝑅2,

the loaded voltage becomes smaller.
 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

PRELIMINARY WORK

i- Study Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws and Voltage loading concepts from the textbook of
the course [3].
ii- Solve all questions that are given below section by hand.
iii-Write down your solutions on a clear white A4 size paper and give it to the instructor
before laboratory hours.

QUESTIONS

a) A simple resistive circuit is given in Fig. 6.

R2

1k

R1 4.7k 2.2k R3 R4 6.8k

12V

Fig. 6 A Simple Resistive Circuit

Before the experiment, calculate the voltage across and the current through every resistor.
Determine the current through the source. Also, determine the power dissipation of each
resistor and voltage source.

b) A simple resistive circuit without and with load is given in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7.1 A Simple Resistive Circuit Fig. 7.2 A Resistive Circuit with Load

Before the experiment, calculate the voltage across and the current in every resistor in Fig.
7.1. Then, for Fig. 7.2 assume that the inner resistance of the multimeter as follows:

i) 1M
ii) 5M
iii) 10M
iv) ∞.
 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

EQUIPMENT LIST

i- Multimeter
ii- Breadboard
iii-Wire
iv-Resistors: 5 x 1kΩ ,5 x 2.2kΩ, 5 x 4.7kΩ , 5 x 6.8kΩ 10 x 1MΩ,

EXPERIMENT

1. Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s Laws

a) Construct the circuit of Fig. 6 on the breadboard.

b) Measure the voltages and currents for all resistors. Is there any difference or similarities
between the measurements and calculation in Question section? If any, explain the reason.
c) Calculate power dissipations of each resistor and voltage source by using the results of b).
Is there any difference or similarities between the measurements and calculation in
Question section? If any, explain the reason.

2. Voltage Loading

a) Construct the circuit of Fig. 7.2 on the breadboard.

b) Measure the voltage across 𝑅2 with the low ohms/volt meter. Compare the result with
calculation in section Question. Is there any difference or similarities between them? If
any, explain the reason.
c) Repeat b) with a high ohms/volt meter.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law, 2015.

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirchhoff's_circuit_laws, 2015.
[3] James W. Nilsson and Susan A. Riedel, “Electric Circuits Seventh Edition”, Prentice Hall,
2005.