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Lab Report Electrical Resistance in Series and Parallel

Foundation Physics II (Universiti Teknologi MARA)

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Class Group: PI009E08

Lab Group’s No: 7

CENTRE OF FOUNDATION STUDIES

FOUNDATION PHYSICS II
LABORATORY REPORT

Experiment Electrical Resistance in Series and Parallel

Date of Experiment 15 February 2022

Student’s Name & ID Nur Azza Izzaty Binti Aman 2021870188

Wan Muhammad Zul Aiman Bin Wan Zubir 2021848506
Siti Anis Alya Bux Binti Sheikh Munir Bux 2021861396

Lab Instructor’s Madam Rabiatuladawiah Binti Akhbar

Name
Marks

Comment

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the equivalent resistance for resistors
connected in series and parallel using appropriate equipment. First, we investigated the
relationship between voltage, V across the circuit and current, I that flows through it. We
performed a series of experiments with different voltage, measured the current, I using a digital
Voltmeter for voltage and a digital Ammeter for current. The resistance of both circuit was
𝑉
calculated by using the formula 𝑅 = .
𝐼

Introduction
An electric circuit is a complete path from the positive terminal to the negative terminal
of a power source which is battery. There are two simple ways resistor can be connected in the
circuit which is either by series or parallel. If the electrical components of the circuit are
arranged in such a way that only one path exists for current flow and it is connecting the
components one by one sequentially, then the circuit is series. Moreover, if an arrangement of
electrical components such that a current flow along two or more paths, then the circuit can be
identified as parallel. The resistance of the series circuit is greater than the equivalent resistance
for resistors connected in parallel circuit. This is because since all of the current must pass
through each resistor, it experiences the resistance of each, and resistances in series simply add
up. Oppositely, the resistance of the parallel circuit is less than the smallest of the individual
resistances. This is due to the reason that parallel resistors do not each get the total current and
they divide it. Indirectly, the current is dependent on the value of each resistor and the number
of total resistors in a circuit. By using either series or parallel arrangement in order to calculate
the resistance, we can use Ohm’s Law that. Ohm discovered that the current in a circuit is
directly proportional to the voltage and inversely to the resistance of the conductors.

𝑽
𝑰=
𝑹

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Methodology
In this electrical resistance in series and parallel experiment, the apparatus has been used are
connecting wires, three carbon resistors which are 10𝛀, 20𝛀 and 30𝛀. Battery as a DC power
supply and digital ammeter and voltmeter to measure the current and voltage.

For the series circuit, circuit was set up with only one ammeter in the circuit placing it between
the resistors. Ammeter value of the current, I was read and recorded. The switch was closed,
and the value of currents was recorded from the 2.0V voltage source. The experiment was
repeated by changing the voltage with 4.0V, 6.0V, 8.0V and 10.0V. The circuit was set up as
the figure shown below.

Figure 2.1 Resistors connected in series circuit

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

For the parallel circuit, the resistors were being examined to get the value of the resistor from
the different values of resistors which are 10𝛀, 20𝛀 and 30𝛀. The circuit was set up as the
figure shown below. The voltage that drops across each resistor and across all three resistors
were measured and recorded. The ammeter value of the current was recorded. The switch was
closed, and the value of currents was recorded started from the 2.0V voltage. The experiment
was repeated by changing the voltage with 4.0V, 6.0V 8.0V and 10.0V.

Figure 2.2 Resistors connected in parallel circuit

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Results And Data Analysis

In this experiment, we calculated the value of the equivalent resistance for resistors connected
in series and parallel. The value of resistance can obtain by using the Ohm’s Law formula
which is 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅. The data and results are as follows:

Table 2.1: Resistor in Series Circuit

Voltage of Power Voltage, V (V) Current, I (A) Resistance, R (𝛀)
Supply, (V)
2.00 2.00 0.03 66.67

4.00 4.00 0.07 57.14

6.00 6.00 0.10 60.00

8.00 8.00 0.13 61.54

10.00 10.0 0.17 58.82

Table 2.2: Resistor in Parallel Circuit

Voltage of Power Voltage, V (V) Current, I (A) Resistance, R (𝛀)
Supply, (V)
2.00 2.00 0.37 5.41

4.00 4.00 0.73 5.48

6.00 6.00 1.10 5.45

8.00 8.00 1.47 5.44

10.00 10.0 1.83 5.46

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Calculation
Theoretical Calculation

Series Circuit: Parallel Circuit:

Equivalent Resistance, 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 1 1 1 1

Equivalent Resistance, = + +
𝑅𝑒𝑞 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3

𝑅𝑒𝑞= 10𝛺 + 20𝛺 + 30𝜴 1 1 1

𝑅𝑒𝑞= 60𝛺 = + +
10 20 30
11
=
60
60
𝑅𝑒𝑞 =
11
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 5.45𝜴

Voltage, V 𝑉 𝑉
Series Circuit, 𝑅 = Parallel Circuit, 𝑅 =
𝐼 𝐼

2.00 2.00 2.00

𝑅=
𝑅= 0.37
0.03

= 66.67𝜴 = 5.41𝜴

4.00 4.0
4.00 𝑅=
𝑅= 0.73
0.07

= 57.14𝜴 = 5.48𝜴

6.00 6.00
6.00 𝑅=
𝑅= 1.10
0.10

= 60.00𝜴 = 5.45𝜴

8.00 8.00
8.00 𝑅=
𝑅= 1.47
0.13

= 61.54𝛀 = 5.44𝜴

10.00 10.00
10.00 𝑅=
𝑅= 1.83
0.17

= 58.82𝛀 = 5.46𝜴

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Discussion

In the experiment, a series circuit with different values of resistances which are 10𝛀, 20𝛀 and
30𝛀 were connected to a battery as a power supply and digital ammeter and voltmeter. The
experiment was repeated in parallel circuit with the same resistance to determine the equivalent
resistance for resistors connected in both series and parallel with different voltage which are
2V, 4V, 6V, 8V and 10V.

In this experiment, the battery was set up as 2V, 4V, 6V,8Vand 10V. The actual value of three
resistors is 10Ω, 20Ω and 30Ω. The current of this circuit was measured by ammeter while the
voltage was measured by the voltmeter. From this data, the resistance can be determine using
𝑉
the Ohm’s Law: R= .
𝐼

The equivalent resistance in series can be calculated by sum up all the resistance. From the
table, the average of equivalent resistors is 60.00 Ω. The average percentage error of the data
from this experiment is -1.10%. The equivalent resistance in parallel can be calculated by sum
up all the R in the circuit. From the calculation, the average of equivalent resistors is 5.45 Ω.
The percentage error is 0.036%. In conclusion, the equivalent resistance for resistors connected
in series are greater than the equivalent resistance for resistors connected in parallel.

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Conclusion

Ohm’s law is used to determine the resistance, R of series and parallel circuit. The equivalent
resistance in series circuit is 60Ω while equivalent resistance in parallel circuit is 5.45Ω.
Thus, the equivalent resistance for resistors connected in series circuit is greater than
equivalent resistance for resistors connected in parallel circuit. The percentage error for series
circuit is -1.10% while percentage error for parallel circuit is 0.036 %.

References

1. Fuzairi, A., & Wardati, A. (2019). Foundation Physics Ii. Tmn Subang Impian,

Selangor: Djuta Dallek Enterprise.

2. Serway, R. A., Vuille, C., & Hughes, J. (2018). College physics. Boston, MA:

Cengage Learning

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Laboratory Report Foundation Physics II

Post-Lab Question

1. Explain the importance of connecting the ammeter in series to the circuit.

An ammeter is a device to measure the magnitude of the flow of current. It has a low internal
resistance, so connecting the device in parallel with the circuit will cause a short circuit
damaging both the ammeter device and the circuit.

2. Briefly explain the significance of calculating the percentage error or percentage

difference in this experiment

Calculating percentage error and percentage difference is important in this experiment because
percentage error tells you how big the errors are in your measurements. The smaller the
percentage error, the closer the measurements are to the actual value. Meanwhile, percentage
difference compares two measurements to determine how much the values differ.

3. Explain the effect of resistance towards current in a parallel circuit.

As more and more resistors are added in parallel to a circuit, the equivalent resistance of the
circuit decreases and the total current of the circuit increases. Adding more resistors in parallel
is equivalent to providing more branches through which charge can flow.

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