EXPERIMENT 4 OHMS LAW

I.

OBJECTIVES
1). To demonstrate Ohms Law and to show its various forms 2). To become familiar with DC voltmeters and ammeters

II.

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Electrical resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrical current in a circuit and is dependent on many factors. Copper wire, though considered a good conductor of electric current, does offer some resistance. A German physicist, George Simon Ohm (1787-1854), discovered that the ratio of voltage to current was constant for a given metal conductor of specified length and cross sectional area. This ratio is known as RESISTANCE and is expressed in units of ohm, in his honor. Ohms Law is often referred to as the foundation of circuit analysis and can be expressed by the formula: R=E/I --------------------------------------------------------------(Equation 1) Where: E = the potential difference from one end of a resistance element to the other, measured in volts I= the electrical current through the same resistance element, measured in amperes R = the resistance of the same element, measured in ohms The other useful expressions can be derived from equation (1) : they are: I=E/R ---------------------------------------------------------(Equation 2) E=IXR ---------------------------------------------------------(Equation 3) In order to produce a current, a voltage must first exist across
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the resistance. Early experimentor in electricity recognized the fact that an electric current was a movement of charges along a conductor. The direction of the flow of current was not known and unfortunately, It was arbitrarily chosen to be a positively charged body to a negatively charged body (positive to negative) and this convention has been so firmly established that it is still in use. Thus, the conventional direction of positive direction of current flow taken fo be from positive to negative even though it is now known that the direction of electron flow, which actually constitutes an electric current, is from negative to positive. Electric power systems of which this program is a part use CONVENTIONAL CURRENT FLOW for electric current. In this conventional system, current flows from negative to positive to negative terminal. A VOLT is the unit of electrical pressure or potential. Voltage is measured by using a voltmeter. Voltmeters have high internal resistance and are always connected in parallel with a circuit of component such as a resistor. See Figure 4.1. Figure 4.1 Voltmeter connects in parallel across load resistor R1

Note: that the polarities marked on the meter terminals must be observed to obtain a positive (up-scale) meter reading. If the connections are reversed, the pointer will deflect in the negative direction.

The AMPERE is the unit of electric current. Current is measured using an ammeter. Ammeters have low internal resistance and are always connected in series with a circuit or component such as a resistor. See Figure 4.2.
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Figure 4.2 Ammeter connects in series with load resistor R1 The same note about the voltmeter polarity applies to an ammeter. Polarity must be maintained for proper pointer deflection.

III. 1

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT ------------------EMS POWER SUPPLY MODULE

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1 1 1 10

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EMS RESISTANCE MODULE DIGITAL VOLTMETER (MULTI-RANGE) DIGITAL AMMETER (RANGE 10A) CONNECTING WIRES

IV.

PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 4.3. Be careful to observe the polarities of the instruments.

2. Turn ON the switch of the power supply module and slowly adjust the voltage output control knob (clockwise) until the 50 range voltmeter across the 100 ohms load indicates 40 VDC. The current flowing through the circuit is indicated by the 0-10A range ammeter. Record this current in the space provided in the table. Repeat for each of the voltage listed in table 4.1. 3. Turn OFF the switch of the power supply module but do not disconnect your circuit. Using the values of I and E from the table in step 4, calculate the ratios of E/I in each case. Record your calculations in Table 4.2. 4. Using the results in Table 4.2 get the average value of E/I. Note: That the rate between the voltage applied across the resistor and the current flowing through it is a constant value called resistance. 5. You will now verify that the alternate form of Ohms Law ( I = E / R) is valid. Use the same circuit shown in Figure 4.3. Turn ON the switch of the power supply module and adjust to 25VDC as indicated in the voltmeter across the 100 ohm resistor. Measure and record
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the current through the 100 ohms resistor, return the voltage to zero and turn OFF the switch of the power supply module. 6. You will now verify that the other alternate form of Ohms Law ( E = I X R) is valid. Use the same circuit shown in figure 4.3. However, this time set the resistance to 50 ohms. Turn ON the switch of the power supply module and adjust the output voltage until the current meter indicates 0.8 A. Measure and record the voltage across the 50 ohms resistance. Turn OFF the switch of the power supply module. 7. You will now measure the value of an equivalent resistance without the use of your ohmmeter. Use the same circuit shown in Figure 4.3. Turn ON the switch of the power supply module and adjust the output voltage to 40 VDC as measured in the voltmeter across the resistor. Vary the resistance by using the switches until approximately 0.2 A as indicated by the current meter. Readjust the voltage control if necessary to maintain 40 VDC across the resistance. A). Using Ohms Law and with the above voltage (40V) and current (0.2A, calculate the equivalent resistance now in the circuit. Return the voltage to zero and turn OFF the switch of the power supply module. B). Using the formula for series or parallel resistance, and with the resistances you have connected in series or parallel, calculate Requivalent. V. Step 2. Table 4.1
Voltage Current 0 0 5 0.05 1 10 0.102 15 0.14 7 20 0.197 25 0.24 9 30 0.29 7 35 0.34 7 40 0.4

DATA AND RESULTS:

Step 3. Table 4.2

1 Voltage E/I 0 0 5 98.04 10 98.04 15 102.04 20 101.52 25 100.4 30 101.01 35 100.86 40 100

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Step 4. Step 5. Step 6. Step 7. A. Requivalent B. Requivalent VI.

Average value of E / I Imeasured Emeasured = =

100.24 Ohms

0.246 Adc 40.4 Vdc

= E / I = 40/0.2 = 200 ohms = 200 ohms

COMPUTATIONS / GRAPHS:

VII.

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:

In concise point form, draw out the conclusions from the results of the experiment. VIII. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED:

1. From the results of Steps 1 and 2, does the voltmeter have an appreciably higher internal resistance than the two current meters? Can you explain why? A: 2. Plot the recorded currents (at the listed voltages) of Table 4.1 on a graphing paper. 3. Draw a smooth curve through these plotted points. Is the current directly proportional to the voltage? Does the current double, triple, etc. when the voltage doubles, triples, etc. 4. 5. From the result of Step 5, Does Imeasured = E/R = 25/100? A: Yes, but there was some slight difference. From the result of step 6, does Emeasured = I X R = 0.8 X 50? A: Yes, but there was some slight difference

6. Is there and agreement between the results of (a) and (b) in Step 7?
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A: Yes, The value of the two is equivalent and there is but very little slight difference. 7. Is there a good agreement between the ohmmeter measurement of Requivalent and the calculated Requivalent of Step 7-b? A: Yes, The value of the two is equivalent and there is but very little slight difference. 8. 4.3 Using Ohms Law in its various forms, fill in the blanks in table

Table 4.3 1 2 E I R 6 2 3 12. 5 5 25

3 4 0.5 8

4 9 3 3

5 7 2 6 1 2

6 5 1 0 0. 5

7 12 3 4

8 12 30 0.4

9 10000 0 100 1000

10 120 1200 0.1

9. A 3A DC meter has a resistance of 0.1 ohm. If it were accidentally connected across a 120VDC line, what would be the current through the instrument? What do you think would happen? A: The current would be 1,200 A and this will destroy the fuse of the 3ADC meter. 10. A 3A DC meter has a resistance of 0.5 ohm, and carries a current of 2 amps. What is the voltage across the terminals? A: The voltage would be 1 volt. 11. A 0 - 150VDC meter has a resistance of 150,000 ohms. What is the current through the instrument when it is connected across a 120 VDC line? A: The current is 0.0008 Amperes 12. An experimenter accidentally touches a 240 VDC line. If his skin resistance is 10,000 ohms, what value of current flows through his body? A: The current flowing through his body is 0.0024 Amperes 13. Birds have been known to perch 2300 volts bare transmission line without apparent harm. Is this because of the very dry nature of
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their feet? A: No, It is because the bird steps on the ground / negative wire which has no current. 14. An ammeter having a scale of 0-1ADC and a resistance of 1 ohm is connected across a source of 300 millivolts. What will t indicate?

Reference: Direct-Current Vol. 1 By Dawes

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