DISCUSSION

This experiment is all about on how to demonstrate Ohm’s Law and to show its various
forms, to become familiar with DC Voltmeter and DC Ammeter as well as AC Voltmeter and
AC Ammeter, and to operate Portable Wheatstone and Precision Wheatstone Bridge to
measure an unknown resistor. The variables involved are experiment value (Ω), RX value
(Ω), unknown resistor (Ω), multiplying factor, measuring arm dial reading, amperes (A) and
E/I (Ω).
In this experiment of measurement and calculations of electrical parameters, there are two
experiments by which possess two different procedures respectively.
For the first experiment, the Precision Wheatstone Bridge was used for exact determination
of resistance in the 100 mΩ to 110 MΩ range with accuracy of 0.01 to 0.05%. A measure
resistor was connected to the prime device. In relation to the connectivity of the resistor to the
device, the galvanometer pointer indicates 0 on the scale. The multiplying range and the
power supply voltage were selected based on the measured resistor. As a standard, a voltage
of 15 V was utilized.
The first experiment first began by switching the Precision Wheatstone Bridge device to the
internal galvanometer (INT GA) mode. The sensitivity knob was adjusted from the minimum
to obtain the starting value, which is 0. The BA and GA buttons were also applied to check
deflection. The process in identifying the value of the resistor values was done using different
voltage supplies and multiplying factors. After doing so, the values were recorded and were
calculated using a specific formula in relation to find RX (Ω). (Refer Appendices)
In measuring the resistance from 1 Ω to 10 Ω by operation of dials and switches using the
Portable Wheatstone Bridge, the GA terminals were completely shorted with a short bar. In
addition to that, the R-MV select switch was turned to the R side, the power select switch is
turned to the INT BA side and the galvanometer pointer shows 0 on the scale. Based on the
value of the measured resistor, the multiplying factor was determined using the multiplying
table (Refer Appendices). The measuring arm dial was set to 1999 while the BA button is
depressed. The GA switch was then push down to check deflection. Now, the value of the RX
(Ω) can be obtained using the same formula stated. (Refer Appendices)
For the second experiment on the other hand uses the Decade Resistance Box, DC Metering
and Power Supply modules. These devices were then connected following the circuit diagram
provided (Refer Appendices). The experiment first began by turning on the power supply and
slowly adjusting the DC voltage output until the device indicates 40 V. The current flowing
through the circuit was indicated by using the 0 – 300 mA Ammeter. The current was then
noted down. This step was repeated for all the DC voltage values of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200,
and 240 E. From what being said in particular, a curve was generated based on the values of
volts (E) and current (I) recorded to identify whether volts (E) and current (I) is directly
proportional. The ratio of E/I was then calculated for each case. The verification of the
alternate form of Ohm’s Law (I = E/R) is now available. Using the same circuit, the current
through the 1000 Ω resistor was measured and recorded. In relation to the previous sentence,
the verification of the alternate form of Ohm’s Law (E = I x R) is now available. The power
supply was turned on and the output voltage was adjusted until the current meter indicates 0.1
A. The voltage was measured and recorded and during this round, the resistance was set to
2000 Ω.
For the first experiment, by using the Precision Wheatstone Bridge, the experiment values
(Ω) are 0.15999 Ω, 9.99 Ω, 999.9 Ω, 999 Ω, and 9990 Ω. Next, by using the Portable
Wheatstone Bridge, the experiment values(Ω) are 0.184 Ω, 10.12 Ω, 100.1Ω, 1000 Ω, and
10000 Ω respectively.
For the second experiment, by using the Decade Resistance Box, the amperes (A) of the
following volts, 0 V, 40 V, 80 V, 120 V, 160 V, 200 V, and 240 V were obtained which are 0
A, 0.04 A, 0.08 A, 0.12 A, 0.16 A, 0.20 A, and 0.24 A respectively. From that, a trend graph
was prompted to prove that the current is directly proportional to the voltage (Refer to
Appendices). Moreover, the calculated values of E/I were also calculated for the following
volts, 40 V, 80 V, 120 V, 160 V, 200 V, and 240 V. The average value of E/I obtained from
all the six volts is 1000 Ω. Besides that, by using the Decade Resistance Box, across a 1000
Ω resistor, the voltage (V) was regulated to 140 V in obtaining the measured value of current
(A) which is 0.14 A. In addition to that, again, by using the Decade Resistance Box, across a
2000 Ω resistor, the current was regulated to 0.1 A in obtaining the measured value of voltage
(V) which is 200 V.
Based on theory, Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two points is
directly proportional to the potential difference across the two points. Introducing the
constant proportionality, the resistance, one arrives at the usual mathematical equation that
describes this relationship, I = V/R. Where I is the current through the conductor in units of
amperes, V is the potential difference measured across the conductor in units of volts, and R
is the resistance of the conductor in units of ohms. More specifically, Ohm’s Law states that
the R in this relation is constant, independent of the current.
There are several possibilities that might have contributed to the errors that occurred during
the experiment. Among those errors is physical errors (caused by experimenters). The
experimenters might not have waited for the readings to stabilize first and have recorded
down the wrong readings, which could lead to an abnormal trend of results. Not just that, the
experimenter may not have focused well during the experiment and may have recorded down
values of the parameter in the field of another parameter. By doing so, the recordings will be
inaccurate and it will result in catastrophic affects in generating trend/correlation graphs and
the whole experiment. Thus, the ideal expected results could not be achieved. Besides that,
the wires or other equipment involved may be faulty or not plugged in. When this happens,
the device will not display the correct value.