To study how Ohm’s Law is applied in electrical

circuits. To become familiar with the sign

conventions of voltage and current.

OHM’s LAW
Experiment No. 3
 A. DISCUSSION

The current in most material under fixed environmental conditions, is directly proportional to the
potential difference across it. The resistance of the material is the proportionality constant. The
relationship is known as OHM’s LAW.

I =V / R
In dealing with simple circuits or with parts of a more complex circuit, Ohm’s Law could be applied. The
resistance used in the circuit could be that of a single resistor or the equivalent resistance of a group of
resistors.

We could easily establish current direction by using an ammeter. A conventional ammeter could have an
uphill deflection if the current enters its positive terminal and leaves its negative terminal. Current I AB is
positive if is directed from A to point B. Also, it could be easily be established that a potential difference
V AB is positive if point A is at a higher potential than point B by using a voltmeter. A voltmeter will have
an uphill deflection if its positive terminal is maintained at a higher potential.

B. PROCEDURE

1. Create the circuit shown in figure A.

2. Measure and record the voltage Vs and current I T .
Vs
3. Compute for the equivalent resistance between point A and point E using the formula . This
IT
will serve as the computed value.
4. Measure and record I 1 , I 2 , V bc , V be , V cd
 C. DATA AND RESULTS

Vs IT Rae
Measured 12 V 2.609 mA 4.6 k Ohms
Computed 12 V 2.609 mA 4.6 k Ohms
% Difference 0% 0% 0%
Table 1

I1 I2 V bc V be V cd
Measured 2.609 mA 1.043 mA 6.261 V 9.391 V 3.13 V
Computed 2.609 mA 1.04 mA 6.26 V 9.39 V 3.13 V
% Difference 0% 0.29 % 0.02 % 0.01 % 0%
Table 2

D. COMPUTATION
E. OBSERVATION

- There is a little difference with the results obtained from the simulator with the computed
values. It is observed that when the voltage increases, the current also increases. While
conducting this experiment, we experienced some instances that made our data wrong.
One wrong connection can lead to different values and can give wrong readings in the
ammeter. Figure A has series and parallel circuit and Ohm’s Law was applied to solve for
the unknown values. In the series circuit (table 1), the voltage remained the same but the
resistance is to quotient of the total voltage and the total current in the circuit. It is
confirmed by Kirchhoff’s voltage law. Table 2, the current division theorem of Kirchhoff’s
Law was applied to get I 2. To get the voltage of each resistors, current and resistance was
multiplied. By doing this, we observed that there are slight difference with the measured
and the computed values.

F. CONCLUSION

- The experiment is about Ohm’s Law. The resistance of a material is proportional to the
constant. Ohm’s law, I=VR, can be manipulated to compute for circuits. It may be simple or
complex circuits. The current direction of the circuit can be observed using an ammeter.
Therefore, I can conclude that the voltage is directly proportional to the voltage and it is
inversely proportional to the resistance. Conducting this experiment helped me to
understand the importance of understanding the concept of Ohm’s Law. A simple formula
can solve complex electrical circuits. Additionally, it describes the relationship of current and
voltage and can determine the resistance of resistors.

G. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

a. What is meant by mil-foot section of wire?
- Mil-foot section of wire means that a unit of electrical conducting material is
equal to material having a length of one foot and a cross section of one
circular mil. It is the standard resistance of a wire. 1ft resistance = 1 mil in
diameter.

b. Why does the V/I ratio of an electric circuit indicate its ability to oppose electric current
rather than its ability to permit current flow?
- V/I ratio of an electric circuit indicate its ability to oppose electric current
rather than its ability to permit current flow because of Ohm’s law. Ohm’s law
states that the voltage across conducting materials is directly proportional to
the current flowing through the material. The amount of the current in a
circuit depends on the amount of voltage and resistance to oppose the
current flow.
- Ohms Law is written as V=IR. The expression V/I states that the voltage is
divided by the current is equal to resistance. Since the resistance is the ability
 to resist a current or voltage, therefore V/I has the ability to oppose electric
current.

c. An electric fuse consists of a small strip of wire with a low temperature. The current in
the protected circuit flows through this strip. Which will have a greater resistance a 10A
or a 20A fuse? Explain.
- A fuse is an electrical safety built around a conductive strip with a low
temperature. It is always connected in series. The fuse that have a greater
resistance is the 10A fuse than the 20A fuse. 20A fuse wire is much thicker
and can carry a certain current easily thus, it heats up less than a 10A fuse. It
is more conducting and current can flow through easily. It has a lower
resistance than 10A because it produces less heat for a given current and it
carries more current through it before it melts. Current flowing through a
conductor is inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit formed by
the current.

d. How much resistance should be connected in series with a 50-ohm lamp rated 2A if it is
to be used in a 120 volt line?
- The value of the resistance to be connected in series with the 50 ohm lamp is
10 ohm.