Unit of Competency

PERFORM MENSURATION AND CALCULATION

Ohms Law

When we talk about resistive loads, we use either alternating or direct

current. However in direct current, three independent quantities are needed to
determine current flow. First, is the electrical potential or electromotive force
(emf) in terms of volts. Second, the rate of current flow (amperes). Third is the
electrical opposition to the current or electrical load (resistance).

The relationship of the foregoing three variables was discovered by Gorge

Simon Ohms, who theorized that current is in direct proportion to electromotive
force (voltage), and inversely proportional to resistance (load). This relationship
is explained algebraically, using this formula:

E=IxR

Where:

E = voltage
I = current
R = resistance

From this formula, two other formulas can be derived:

I = E/R and R = E/I

Example 1

Study the diagram below. Find the value of the missing variable.

1500

Solution:

Formula: I = E/R

I = 12 V / 1500

I = 0.01 A
Example 2

What is the voltage of a heater with 220 ohms resistance passing a 5

amperes current?

Solution:

Formula: E = I X R

E = 5 A X 220

E = 1100 V

Example 3

What is the approximate resistance of a circuit with a 24 volts supply

having 0.7 A current?

Solution:

Formula: R = E/I

R = 24 V / 0.7 A

R = 34.3

Self Check
 1. State the relationship of voltage, current and resistance in Ohms Law.
2. Express these relationships in algebraic equations.

Activity I

Using the formulas in Ohms Law complete the table given below.

A B C D E F G H

E 12V 6V ? 110 V 36V ? 220V 24V

I .05A ? 300mA .250 A ? 750mA 5A ?

R ? 150 2.2K ? 100K 1M ? 4.7K

Activity 2

Solve for the missing variable.

1. What is the amount of current passing to radio receiver with a total load of
350 K with 12 volts power supply?
2. What is the voltage drop of a heater with 470 K resitance passing 3.5 A
of current?
3. What is the resistance of a soldering iron, which can pass 4.2 ampere I
220 V supply?