Group # 8

Members:
Tuazon, Kim Genesis
Ubana, Carl Jason
Versoza, Anjelica
Villaflores, Karen Faith
Vivar, Jeremiah Jan

Section: 2D-PH

Date Performed: April 13, 2015

Date Performed: April 20, 2015

Experiment 3: Resistors in Series and Parallel

Abstract:
Three resistors were used to convey series and parallel resistors. Each resistor had a different
color code, each color code is designated to a certain value, the value of the resistance of an
individual resistor was calculated using these color codes in a certain formula and designated to
a specific resistor called R1, R2, and R3. The resistance of the resistors in a series circuit was
calculated by using the formula: R = R1 + R2 + R3 and the resistance of the resistors in a parallel
circuit was calculated by using the formula 1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3. The theoretical
resistance was then obtained using an ohmmeter, the resistors were then arranged into series
and parallel circuits then connected to an ohmmeter to identify if there was an error in
computation. We found out that the resistance is greater in series circuits than in parallel
circuits.

Questions and Answers:

1. How does the total resistance compare with the individual resistances in a
series circuit?
In a series circuit the resistors are arranged in a chain so the current has only
one path to take, the current is the same through each resistor the total
resistance is found by adding up the resistance values of the individual
resistors. The total resistance is computed by R = R 1 + R2 + R3 Thus the sum
of the total resistance is always greater than the individual resistance in a
series circuit.

2. How does the total resistance compare with the individual resistances in a
parallel circuit?
A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their
heads connected together, and their tails connected together. The current in
a parallel circuit breaks up, with some flowing along each parallel branch and
re-combining when the branches meet again. The voltage across each
resistor in parallel is the same.
The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the
reciprocals of the resistance values, and then taking the reciprocal of the
total: equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel: 1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 +
1 / R3 + . Thus the sum of the total resistance is always less than the
individual resistance in a parallel circuit.

3. Given the three resistors: 50 , 100 , and 200 . What is their total
resistance when they are connected (a) in series and (b) in parallel?
a.

50 +100 +200 =350

b.

1
50

1
0.035

1
1
+
=0.035
100 200

= 28.57