LAB REPORT

GRAPHING VOLTAGE AND CURRENT

READINGS TO DETERMINE RESISTOR
VALUES
BY: Mackenzie Caron and Sam Moryousef
Introduction
The objective of this lab is to determine the value of different resistors using the
readings taken off and ammeter and a voltmeter. To accomplish this lab, we are
looking for the resistance of 2 unknown resistor bands using wires and a power
supply. Resistance can be solved by using Ohms’s law (V=IR).
 V=IR (v=10) and (I=5) so 10 divided by 5 = 2 Ω (R=2 Ω)

Materials
 Power source
 4 wires
 Voltmeter
 Ammeter
 Resistor band

Procedure
1) First, construct the given circuit using wires, a power source, a voltameter, an
ammeter, and a resistor.
2) second, set up the power supply and adjust is so that the voltmeter measures a
potential different of 1V.
3) third, be very precise while recording what you observe.
4) fourth, repeat the first two steps, but this time employing potential differences
ranging from 2V – 6V.
5) fifth, repeat the entire procedure for a circuit that uses the second resistor.
 Observation
Observed data for resistor B
Voltage (V) Current (mA) Current (A)
1 9mA 0.009A
2 18mA 0.018A
3 28mA 0.028A
4 37mA 0.037A
5 47mA 0.047A
6 45mA 0.045A
Observed data for resistor A
Voltage (V) Current (mA) Current (A)
1 28mA 0.028A
2 40mA 0.04A
3 70mA 0.07A
4 100mA 0.1A
5 125mA 0.125A
6 144mA 0.144A
 Voltage vs. Intensity y = 120,07x - 0,1821

5
Voltage (V)

0
0 0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035 0,04 0,045 0,05
Intensity (A)

Voltage vs. Intensity y = 39,398x + 0,1511

5
Voltage (V)

0
0 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,1 0,12 0,14 0,16
Intensity (A)

Calculation for graph one (resistor B)

· Y2-Y1 / X2-X1

· 3-1 ÷ 0.028-0.009

· 2 ÷ 0.019

a=105.25

1=105.25(0.028)+0.33

y=105.25x+0.33
Calculation for graph one (resistor A)

· Y2-Y1 / X2-X1

3-1÷0.07-0.028

2÷0.042

3=47.61(0.07)+b

3=3.33+b

0.9=b

Y=47.61x+0.9

Conclusion:

In this lab, we determined the resistance of two unknown resistors using Ohm's
law (V=IR). By constructing circuits with wires, a power source, a voltmeter, an
ammeter, and the unknown resistors, we varied the voltage across each resistor
and recorded the current. Analyzing the data using the formula R = V/I, we
accurately found the resistance of each resistor.

One potential source of error in our measurements could be the tolerance of the
resistors themselves, which may vary slightly from their labeled values.
Additionally, human error, such as misreading the voltmeter or ammeter, could
have occurred during data collection, affecting the accuracy of our results.
Despite these potential sources of error, this practical experience enhanced our
understanding of Ohm's law and circuit construction, preparing us for future work
in electrical engineering.