DATE: February 05,2024

NAME:Rajé Saunders

EXPERIMENT NUMBER 8

TITLE: OHM’S LAW

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-ac-virtual-lab/latest/circuit-construction-kit-
ac-virtual-lab_en.html

SKILLS ASSESSED: OBSERVATION, RECORDING AND REPORTING

AIM: To establish the current-voltage relationship for a metallic conductor and find its
resistance.

THEORY:

Ohm’s Law is the current (I) through a conductor which is proportional to the potential

difference (V) between its ends, given that temperature and other physical conditions

remain constant. V=IR: This equation means that the Voltage (potential difference) is

proportional to the Current (I) through a conductor and the constant of (R) which is the

resistance of the conductor.

Voltage is the amount of potential difference between two points in a circuit. The sum of

the potential difference is equal to the total potential difference across the group in a

series circuit.

Current is the amount of charge flowing through a circuit at a given time. The current

through a conductor remains the same at all points in a series circuit.

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Resistance is the opposition of the flow of current. Therefore the resistance of the

conductor can be found by dividing the Voltage (pd) by Current (I). R=V/I

APPARATUS: Resistor, rheostat slide, Ammeter, Voltmeter, battery, wires, switch.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM FOR VERIFYING OHM’S LAW IN A LABORATORY

PROCEDURE:

1. The apparatus was connected as shown in figure.

2. The connections were made neat, clean and tight according to the diagram.

3. The positive marked terminals of voltmeter and ammeter were joined towards the

positive side of the cell.

4. The rheostat (variable resistor) was adjusted so as to pass minimum current.

5. The switch was closed and the rheostat contact was slid to see if the ammeter

and voltmeter were working properly.

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 6. The sliding contact of the rheostat was adjusted so that a small current passed

through the resistance coil or resistance wire.

7. The value of potential difference V from voltmeter and current I from ammeter

were recorded.

8. Repeated the experiment for the different values of pd and current.

9. A graph of voltage against current is plotted.

VARIABLES:
Manipulated: Voltage
Responding: Current in the circuit
Controlled: Resistance of the fixed resistor

OBSERVATIONS

Table showing a ammeter and voltmeter readings and the calculated values for resistance

TRIAL AMMETER READING, VOLTMETER RESISTANCE, R/𝝮

I/A READING, V/V (R = V / I)

1 0.40 2.00 5.00

2 0.80 4.02 5.03

3 1.20 6.00 5.00

4 1.61 8.04 4.99

5 1.80 9.00 5.00

MEAN RESISTANCE 5.00

RESULTS: The resistance of the given wire (coil) = 5.0 ohms

DISCUSSION:

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 1. What is the nature of the graph obtained?

Straight line graph with a positive gradient

2. What is the significance of this type of graph (line)?

The graph shows that as voltage increases current increases

proportionally.

3. Was the given conductor ohmic or non-ohmic? Why?

It is ohmic due to obeying Ohm’s law which states that; the current (I)
through a conductor which is proportional to the potential difference (V)
between its ends, given that temperature and other physical conditions
remain constant.

4. Find the slope (s) of the graph

The slope of the graph is

5. What is the significance of slope, s?

The slope represents the resistance of the wire

PRECAUTIONS:

CONCLUSION:

SKILLS ASSESSED: OBSERVATION, RECORDING AND REPORTING

CRITERIA ASSESSED Marks

1. Report presented in a sequential order. 1

2. Stating correct equations for calculating resistance. 1

3. Recording of voltage and current readings correctly. 2

4. Appropriate tabulations in columns with proper units. 1

5.. Graph with appropriate title, scale and correctly labelled axes,. 3

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6. Correct reporting of mean resistance, R, in SI units 1

7. Appropriate conclusion of the current-voltage relationship for a metallic 1

conductor

TOTAL /10