Aims:

1. To prove Ohms Law.

2. To verify experimentally the relationship between current, voltage and resistance in a circuit.
3. To demonstrate voltage and current divider circuits.
4. To check voltage and current divider rule with apparatus.
Theory:
The Ohms Law states that the current in a conductor depends on the voltage applied
across it. The resistance is the constant associated.

If the resistance increases, the current decreases and vice-versa. If the voltage increases, the current
increases and vice-versa.
By Ohms Law, we can find:
Current, if the voltage and the resistance are given.

Voltage, if the current and the resistance are given.

Resistance, if the current and the voltage are given.

Circuit Diagram:

Voltage Divider Rule (DVR)

VDR is basically used for series circuits. Now, let us assume that we have several resistors in series as
shown in Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2 shows three resistors, but there can be any number. Note that the current
is the same throughout the whole circuit. Let us call the voltage drop across any one of the resistor Vx,
where x represents the number of a particular resistor (1, 2, 3, and so on ). By Ohms Law, the voltage
drop across any of the resistors in Figure 2-2 can be written as follow:

Where x = 1, 2, 3

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V
RT

The current is equal to the source voltage divided by the total resistance I=
. For example, in circuit
V
RT
of Figure 2-2, the total resistance is R1 + R2 + R3. Substituting
for I in expression
VX = IXRX
results in

Current Divider Rule (CDR)

CDR is used for parallel circuits. Figure 2-3 shows that there are two resistors in parallel. Note that the
voltage used is the same for the whole circuit.

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By Kirchoffs Current Law, I = I1 + I2 . Since voltage is the same for the whole circuit, we get

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Material Required (Ohms Law)

No
1.
2.
3.
4.

Components
Digital Multimeter
Variable power
supply
Breadboard
Resistors

5.

Connecting Wires

Rating
0 15V DC

Quantity
1
1

1K
1.8K
2.2K
3.3K
4.7K
6.8K
-

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Few

Procedures:
(A) Ohms Law
A1. To measure the voltage.
1. The resistor, 1 k and voltmeter are to be connected into the breadboard as shown in
Figure 2-1.
2. The power supply is set to 10 V.
3. The reading of the voltage is then taken by using the DMM and to be recorded into Table 2-1.
4. Steps 1, 2 and 3 are repeated with resistors, 1.8 k, 2,2 k, 3.3 k and 6.8 k.
A2. To measure the current.
1. The resistor, 1 k and ammeter are to be connected into the breadboard as shown in
Figure 2-1.
2. The power supply is set to 10 V.
3. The reading of the current is then taken by using the DMM and to be recorded into Table 2-1.
4. Steps 1, 2 and 3 are repeated with resistors, 1.8 k, 2.2 k, 3.3 k and 6.8 k.

Circuit Diagram (Figure 2-1)

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Results
R(K)
1
1.8
2.2
3.3
6.8

V(V)

I(mA)Practical

I(mA)Theoretical

10
10
10
10
10

10.02
5.67
4.59
3.03
1.39

10
5.56
4.55
3.03
1.47

Table 2-1

Data and Analysis

V(V I(mA)Practica
)
l
R(K)
1
10
10.02
1.8
10
5.67
2.2
10
4.59
3.3
10
3.03
6.8
10
1.39

I(mA)Theoretica
l
10
5.56
4.55
3.03
1.47

Error (%)
-0.2
-1.98
-0.88
0
5.44

Calculations
Current (Theoretical Calculations)
V=IR
Resistor (1K)
I=10/10K = 1mA
Resistor (1.8K)
I=10/1.8K = 5.56mA
Resistor (2.2K)
I=10/2.2K = 4.55mA
Resistor (3.3K)
I=10/3.3K = 3.03mA
Resistor (6.8K)
I=10/6.8K = 1.47mA
Error (Calculations)
(Theoretical value Practical Value)/Theoretical Value * 100% =
Resistor (1K)
(10-10.02)/10 *100% = -0.2%
Resistor (1.8K)
(5.56-5.67)/5.56 *100% = -1.98%
Resistor (2.2K)
(4.55-4.59)/4.55 *100% = -0.88%
Resistor (3.3K)
(3.03-3.03)/3.03 *100% = 0%
Resistor (6.8K)
(1.47-1.39)/1.47 *100% = 5.44%

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Discussion
After this experiment conducted, the practical results obtained are quite close to the theoretical value
that we calculated. The current readings recorded using ammeter were inversely proportional to
resistance. In this experiment, the resistance of resistors is measured separately by using ohmmeter and
the resistor is not connected to any circuit. If resistor connect to the circuit and this will give you a false
reading of resistance ( the resistance of wire and the other components ). Before the circuit is completely
set up, make sure the power supply is off because it will cause accuracy of the results.

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Material Required (Voltage Divider Rule)

No.
Apparatus
1. Variable Power Supply

Rating
0-15DC

Quantity
1

2.

Digital Multimeter

3.

Breadboard

4.

Resistors

1
1K
1.8 K
2.2 K
3.3 K
4.7 K
6.8 K

1
1
1
1
1

Procedures (Voltage Divider Rule)

1. The resistors, R1 = 1K, R2 = 1.8 K, R3 = 2.2 K and voltmeter are to be connected onto
breadboard as shown in the Figure 2-2.
2. The power supply is set to 10V.
3. The reading of the voltage R1 is then taken by using the DMM, V1 and is to be recorded into
Table 2-2. This step is repeated to take the readings for voltage across R2 and voltage across R3.
Diagram (Figure 2-2)

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Results (Voltage Divider Rule)

Source
By practical measurement
Power
Es
V1
V2
V3
10
2.015
3.561
4.390

By voltage divider rule

V1
2

V2
3.6

V3
4.4

Table 2-2

Data and Analysis (Voltage Divider Rule)

By practical
measurement
V1
2.015
V2
3.561
V3
4.390

By voltage divider
rule
2
3.6
4.4

Error %
-0.75
1.08
0.23

Calculations [Theoretical Value]

V1
V2
V3

Theoretical Value (V)

V1=(1/5)x10
V1=2
V2=(1.8/5)x10
V2=3.6
V3=(2.2/5)x10
V3=4.4

By voltage divider rule

2
3.6
4.4

Calculations [Error]
# [ (Theoretical value Practical value)/Theoretical Value ] x 100% = Error%
By practical By voltage
Error % (Calculations)
measuremen divider rule
t
V1
2.015
2
[ (2 2.015)/2 ] x 100% = -0.75
V2
3.561
3.6
[ (3.6 3.561)/3.6 ] x 100% = 1.08
V3
4.390
4.4
[ (4.4 4.390)/4.4 ] x 100% = 0.23

Error%
-0. 75
1.08
0.23

Discussion (Voltage Divider Rule)

The tables clearly indicate that the theoretical value and the practical value were found to be
approximately same. Slight deviations in the practical results might have been caused by fluctuating
values in the ammeter and making it difficult to read precise and accurate values. By using voltage
divider rule, we can easily get the theoretical value.

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Material Required (Current Divider Rule)

No.

Apparatus
10. Variable Power Supply

Rating
0-15DC

Quantity
1

11. Digital Multimeter

12. Breadboard

13. Resistors

1
1k
1.8 k
2.2 k
3.3 k
4.7 k
6.8 k

1
1
1
1
1

Procedures (Current Divider Rule)

1. The resistors R1 = 1.8 k, R2 = 2.2 k and ammeter I is to be connected onto breadboard as
shown in the Figure 2-3.
2. The power supply is set to 10 V.
3. The reading of the total current, IT is then taken by using the ammeter I and it is to be recorded
into Table 2-3.
4. Ammeter I is to be disconnected and ammeter I1 is to be connected in series with R1. Step 3 is
then repeated to take the reading of current, I1.
5. Step 4 is repeated to get current, I2.
Diagram (Figure 2-3)

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Results
Source
Power
Es
10

Total
Curren
t
IT
10.3

By practical measurement

By current divider rule

I1
2.015

I1
2

I2
3.56
1

I2
3.6

Table 2-3

Data and Analysis (Current Divider Rule)

By practical
measurement
I1
5.58
I2
4.49

By current divider
rule
5.665
4.635

Error %
1.50
3.13

Calculations [Theoretical Value]

I1
I2

By current divider
rule (Calculations)
I1 = (2.2/1.8+2.2)
I1 = 5.665
I2 = (1.8/1.8+2.2)
I2 = 4.635

By current divider
rule
5.665
4.635

Calculations [Error]
# [ (Theoretical value Practical value)/Theoretical Value ] x 100% = Error%
By practical By
Error % Calculations
measuremen current
t
divider
rule
I1
5.58
5.665
[ (5.665 5.58)/5.665 ] x 100%
= 1.50
I2
4.49
4.635
[ (4.635 4.49)/4.635 ] x 100%
= 3.13

Error
%
1.50
3.13

Discussion (Current Divider Rule)

The tables clearly indicate that the theoretical value and the practical value were found to be
approximately same. Slight deviations in the practical results might have been caused by fluctuating
values in the ammeter and making it difficult to read precise and accurate values. By using current rule,
we can easily get the theoretical value.
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Conclusions
From the experiment (Ohms Law), the current and resistance are inversely proportional to each other
when the voltage is kept constant. From the experiment (Voltage Divider Rule and Current Divider
Rule), the voltage divider rule set up by using three resistors in series in a circuit and the current divider
rule set up by using two resistors in parallel. When a resistor in voltage divider was higher than other
resistors, more voltage dropped across it. The greater the resistor was, less current passed through.
Practical and theoretical results are almost same. Slight deviations were caused by experimental error
and mathematical error. Apart from that, the slight deviations also caused by wrong readings of
fluctuating value in ammeter and voltmeter.

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Reference
https://www.scribd.com/doc/12936752/Physics-222-Ohm-s-Law-Lab-Report
http://www.academia.edu/9178115/Ohms_Law
https://www.scribd.com/doc/136807487/VOLTAGE-AND-CURRENT-DIVISION-LAB-REPORT-pdf

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