Electronics and Communication Circuits Lab.

EXPERIMENT #2
OHM’S LAW
Objective:
After performing this experiment, you will be able to:
1. Measure the current-voltage curve for a resistor.
2. Construct a graph of the data from objective 1.
3. Given a graph of current-voltage for a resistor, determine the resistance.

Theory Overview:
The relationship between current and voltage is an important characteristic that
define defines various electronic devices. The relationship is frequently shown
with a graph. Usually, the voltage is controlled (the independent variable), and the
current is observed (the dependent variable). This is the basic method for this
experiment, for which a series of resistors will be tested. The independent variable
is plotted along the x-axis and the dependent variable is plotted along the y-axis.
Fixed resistors have a straight-line or linear current-voltage curve. This linear
relationship illustrates the basic relationship of Ohm’ law, that the current is
proportional to the voltage for constant resistance. Ohm’s law is the most
important law of electronics. It is written in equation form as:
V
I=
R
When I represents current, V represent voltage, and R represents resistance.

Materials Needed:
Resistors: one 1.0 kΩ, one 1.5kΩ, one 2.2kΩ.
One dc ammeter, 0-10 mA

Procedures:
1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 1(a). Notice that the ammeter is in series
with the resistor and forms a single “loop” as shown in the protoboard wiring
diagram in Figure 1(b). The voltmeter is then connected directly across the

resistor.
Figure 1
2. Adjust the power supply for a voltage of 2.0 V. Read the current that is flowing
through the resistor and record it in table 1.

3. Adjust the power supply for 4.0 V and measure the current. Record the current
in table 1. Continue taking current readings for each of the voltages listed in
table 1.
Table 1 (R1)
Vs = 2.0 V 4.0V 6.0V 8.0V 10.0V
I=

4. Replace R1 with R2 and repeat steps 3 and 4. Record the data in table 2.
Table 2 (R2)
Vs = 2.0 V 4.0V 6.0V 8.0V 10.0V
I=

5. Replace R2 with R3 and repeat steps 3 and 4. Record the data in table 3.
Table 3 (R4)
Vs = 2.0 V 4.0V 6.0V 8.0V 10.0V
I=
6. On plot 1, graph all three I-V curves using the data from Tables 1, 2, and 3. Plot
the dependent variable (current) on the y-axis and the independent variable
(voltage) on the x-axis. Choose a scale for the graph that spreads the data over
the entire grid.

V
Plot 1

Questions:

1. The slope of a line is the change in the y direction divided by the change in the
x direction. The definition for slope is illustrated in Figure 2. Find the slope for
each resistor on plot 1 and compare it with real value.

1
¿
R
1 ΔI ΔV
= ∴ R=
R ΔV ΔI

Figure 2

2. What happens to the slope of the I-V curve for larger resistors?

3. (a) If the resistance is halved and the voltage is not changed, what will happen
to the current in a resistive circuit?
 (b) If the voltage is doubled and the resistance is not changed, what will
happen to the current in a resistive circuit?

4. If the current in a resistive circuit is 24 mA and the applied voltage is 48 V,

what is thy resistance?

5. What current will flow through a 10Ω resistor with a 5.0 V applied?