BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ( PHYSICS ) ( HONS )

PHY443

FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM AND OPTICS

LAB REPORT EXPERIMENT 2 :

DIRECT CURRENT (SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS)

PREPARED BY

NAME STUDENT ID

KHAIRIN IRDHINA BINTI NOORIZAN 2021600598

RABIATUL AKASHAH BINTI RUSLI 2021619468

NUR ARISYA BINTI FAIZUL AZRAN 2021471002

PREPARED FOR:

DR. NOR KARTINI JAAFAR

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE

UITM SHAH ALAM

DATE : 15 APRIL 2022

Tittle

Direct current (Series and parallel circuits)

Objective

1. To study the concepts of potential difference, electric current and resistance.

2. To study Ohm’s Law and its application in series and parallel circuits.

Theory

The electric potential difference or voltage, V, between two points is the work per unit charge
required to move a charge between the points. The voltage is usually measured in volts. A volt is
joule/coulomb.

The electric current or current, I is the charge that flows per unit time. It is usually measured in
ampere. An ampere is a coulomb/second. It is conventional to speak of the current as the flow of
positive charge in a circuit.

For a certain type of circuit element, resistors there are linear relationships between the current
flowing through the element and the voltage across the element. This relationship is known as
Ohm’s Law and stated.

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅………………………………………… (1)

R is the resistance and is measured in ohms. An ohm is a volt/ampere. (we will consider the
resistance to be constant, although there is a slight variation of resistance with temperature)

When a resistor is connected in series as shown in Figure 1, the current is the same through the
circuit, while the sum of voltage drops across the individual resistance is equal to applied
voltage.

A simple series is shown in Figure 1.

In such a circuit the same current flows through each element, or

𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼3……………………………… (2)

Kirchoff’s Laws also state that:

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3……………………………. (3)

Where 𝑉1, 𝑉2, 𝑉3are the voltages across 𝑅1, 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 respectively.

Using equation 1,2 and 3 one can show that the resistance of the circuit (or the resistance which
is equivalent to 𝑅1, 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 in series) is

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 (4)

When the resistors are connected in parallel (Figure 2) the current, I, is equal to the sum of the
current through the individual resistance. The voltage is the same across the whole group.
In such a circuit the same voltage drop occurs across each element, or

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 = 𝑉2 = 𝑉3………………………………..(5)

Kirchoff”s Laws also states that:

𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3…………………………………...(6)

Using equation 1, 5, and 6 one can show that the total resistance of the circuit (for the resistance
which is equivalent to 𝑅1, 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 in parallel ) is

1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇
= 𝑅1
+ 𝑅2
+ 𝑅3
(7)

Apparatus

1. Circuit board

2. DC power supply

3. Digital multimeter/ Voltmeter

4. Digital multimeter/ Ammeter

5. Connecting wires
6. Three resistors (R1, R2 and R3)

7. Graph paper

Procedure

PART I : For Series Circuit

1. This experiment requires you to measure the current and voltage on the resistor at the
same time. In series connect the DC power supply, resistors 𝑅1, 𝑅2, 𝑅3 and the ammeter.
Meanwhile, connect the voltmeter in parallel across the resistors.

2. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage to 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 volts. Measure
the current and corresponding voltage for each power supply setting. Record the value on
a table.

3. Create a plot of V versus I and draw the best straight line that represents the data.
Determine the total resistance from the graph.

4. With the resistance still in series and the power supply set to 2 V, measure the current
through each resistor and the voltage dropped across each resistor as 𝑉1, 𝑉2, 𝑉3 Calculate
𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 using these data. Record the values.

5. Calculate 𝑅𝑇 for this series circuit using equation (4) and the calculated values of
𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 from step 4.

6. Compare the value calculated in step 5 to the value calculated in step 3.

7. Use error calculation to demonstrate your comparison.

Result and analysis

Part 1 : For Series Circuit

Voltage,V (± 0.1) V Current,I (±0.001) A

0 0.000

2 0.002

4 0.004

6 0.008

8 0.010

10 0.013

12 0.015
 0.000 + 0.002 + 0.004 + 0.008 + 0.010 + 0.013 + 0.015 0 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 +10 + 12
Centroid (ΔI,ΔV) =( 7
)( 7
)

= (0.007A, 6V)

𝑦 −𝑦
Gradient, m = ( 𝑥2−𝑥1 )
2 1
11.3−2
=( 0.015−0.001
)

−1
= 664.29 𝑉𝐴

To find the total resistance from the graph Voltage (V) against Current (I) in series :

V = 𝑅𝑇I + 0
Y = mx + 0

Gradient,m = 𝑅𝑇

−1
𝑅𝑇 = 664.29 𝑉𝐴

Calculating value of each resistors :

𝑉1 0.315
𝑅1 = 𝐼
= 0.002
= 157. 5 Ω
𝑉2 0.468
𝑅2 = 𝐼
= 0.002
= 234 Ω
𝑉3 1.475
𝑅3 = 𝐼
= 0.002
= 737. 5 Ω

Total resistance in series, 𝑅𝑇

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅 2 + 𝑅 3
𝑅𝑇 = 157. 5 Ω + 234 Ω + 737. 5 Ω
𝑅𝑇 = 1129 Ω

|𝑅 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑅 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙|
Percentage error,% = 𝑅 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
× 100
|664.29−1129|
= 1129
× 100
= 41.16 %
PART II : For Equivalent Capacitance

1. Connect resistors 𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 in parallel and an ammeter to measure total current.
Connect the voltmeter in parallel across the resistors.

2. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage to 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 volts. Measure
the current and corresponding voltage for each power supply setting. Record the value on
a table.

3. Create a plot of V versus I and draw the best straight line that represents the data.
Determine the total resistance from the graph.

4. Leave the power supply at 2 V and record the individual current through each resistor
along with 𝑉1, 𝑉2, 𝑉3 . Calculate 𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 using these data.

5. Calculate 𝑅𝑇 for this parallel circuit using equation (7) and the calculated values of
𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 from step 4.

6. Compare the value calculated in step 5 to the value calculated in step 3.

7. Show your comparison by using error calculation.

Result and analysis

Part 2 : Finding Equivalent Capacitance

Voltage,V (± 0.1) V Current,I (±0.001) A

0 0.000

2 0.038

4 0.070

6 0.101
8 0.138

10 0.173

12 0.210
 0.000+0.038+0.070+0.101+0.138+0.173+0.210 0 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 12
Centroid(ΔI,ΔV) = ( 7
)( 7
)
= (0.104A,6V)

𝑦 −𝑦
Gradient, m = ( 𝑥2−𝑥1 )
2 1
11.4− 1.4
=( 0.2 − 0.025
)

−1
= 57.14 𝑉𝐴

To find the total resistance from the graph Voltage (V) against Current (I) in series :

V = 𝑅𝑇I + 0
Y = mx + 0

Gradient,m = 𝑅𝑇

−1
𝑅𝑇 = 57.14 𝑉𝐴

Calculating value of each resistors :

𝑉1 2
𝑅1 = 𝐼1
= 0.004
= 500 Ω
𝑉2 2
𝑅2 = 𝐼2
= 0.013
= 153. 8 Ω
𝑉3 2
𝑅3 = 𝐼3
= 0.020
= 100 Ω

Total resistance in series, 𝑅𝑇

1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇
= 𝑅1
+ 𝑅2
+ 𝑅3
1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇
= 500
+ 153.8
+ 100
1
𝑅𝑇
= 0.0185

𝑅𝑇 = 54. 05 Ω

|𝑅 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑅 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙|
Percentage error,% = 𝑅 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
× 100
|57.14−54.𝑂5|
= 54.05
× 100
= 5.72 %
Discussion

From graph Part I , the total resistance in series has an experimental value of 664.29Ω ,
but the actual value is 1129Ω .Between the experimental and actual values, the percentage error
is 41.16 %. It is clear that the current flow in the series circuit is consistent.The current is shared
by all components; resistances add to equal a larger total resistance; and voltage drops add to
equal a larger total voltage.Ohm's law describes the relationship between voltage, current, and
resistance. This equation, I = V/R, states that current I flowing through a circuit is directly
proportional to voltage (V) and inversely proportional to resistance (R). Thus, when we increase
the voltage in a linear circuit with fixed resistance, the current increases, and when we decrease
the voltage, the current decreases.

From graph Part II , the total resistance in series has an experimental value of 57. 14 Ω ,
but the actual value is 54. 05 Ω . Between the experimental and actual values, the percentage
error is 5.72 % %. Parallel circuit has branches that divide the current so that only a segment of it
flows through each branch.The electric potential difference (V) across each resistor in a parallel
circuit is the same. The current in a resistor follows Ohm's law: I = ΔV / R. Because the V for
each resistor is the same, the current will be smallest where the resistance is greatest.Thus, when
the current decreases in a parallel circuit with fixed voltage , the resistance increases.

The deviations through this experiment were due to systematic error. This was from the
multimeter that we used. Difference in quality and condition of the multimeter may result in the
accuracy of the results. Next, the difference between the length of the wire that we used may be
caused by the internal resistance. The ways we can decrease the amount of deviations was by
testing the multimeter before we start using it for the experiment and using the same length of
the wire.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, the objectives for this experiment have been achieved, which are to study the
concepts of potential difference, electric current, resistance and Ohm’s Law with its application
in series and parallel circuits.

−1
i) Experimental total resistance in series circuit = (664.29± 1. 0) 𝑉𝐴
ii) Theoretical total resistance in series circuit = (1129± 1. 0) Ω
−1
iii) Experimental total resistance in parallel circuit = ( 57.14± 1. 0) 𝑉𝐴
iv) Theoretical total resistance in parallel circuit = ( 54.05± 1. 0) Ω