INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON

KIRCHOFF’S LAW VERIFICATION

SUBMITTED TO
CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION NEW DELHI

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021

BY
PRUTHIVIRAJAN M R

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Mr.ARUNACHALAM.P.L M.Sc.,M.Phil.,B.Ed
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Connecting Intelligence

SENTHIL PUBLIC SCHOOL

(Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi, Affiliation No: 1930752) Adhiyaman

Kottai, Dharmapuri - 636 807
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I undertook this project work, as the part of my class XII Physics course. I
had tried to apply my best of knowledge and experience, gained during the
study and class work experience.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to my chemistry

teacher Mr.Harish Babu, M.Tech and Mr.Arunachalam.P.L,
M.Sc.,M.Phil.,B.Ed and my lab teacher Mrs.Kanimozhi, B.Ed for
theirincessant help in all possible way from beginning and their positive
approach towards the completion of project.

I am very much thankful to our Senior Principal Shri. C Srininvasan,

M.Sc.,M.Ed., and our Principal Mr. P Senthil Murugan,
M.Sc.,B.Ed.,GNIIT for giving valuable time and moral support to develop
this project. I extend my gratitude to our Vice Principal Mr.
S.Rajkumar,M.Sc.,B.Ed.,M.Phil. and Academic Coordinator
Mrs.Gnanakavita M ,M.Sc.,B.Ed. for their guidance and support
throughout my project completion.

I would like to take the opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude
to my parents for being a source of inspiration and providing time and
freedom to do this project. I also feel indebted to my friends for the valuable
suggestions during the project work.

PRUTHIVIRAJAN M R
 KIRCHOFF’S
LAW VERIFICATION
 INDEX
Page
S.no Topic
no.
1 Aim 5

2 Theory 6

3 Colour Code Resistance 7

4 Procedure 9

5 Calculation 10

6 Observation Table 13

7 Precaution 14

8 Discussion 15

9 Bibliography 16
AIM:

To verify Kirchhoff’s law by comparing resistances obtained

from a circuit to those predicted by Kirchhoff’s Law.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

1. DIGITAL MULTIMETER
2. 2.2Ω RESISTORS
3. SOLDERING IRON
4. WAX
5. SOLDERING WIRE
6. STAND FOR SOLDERING IRON
THEORY:

1. Kirchhoff’s current law

It states that the algebraic sum of all thecurrents
at any node is zero.
∑𝐼=0

2. Kirchhoff’s voltage law

It states that the sum of changes in potential around any
closed path of electric circuit (or closed loop) involving
resistors and cells in theloop is zero.
∑ ∆𝑉 = 0
Kirchhoff’s voltage law supports the law of
conservation of energy according to which:

∑ 𝐸 = ∑ 𝐼𝑅
COLOUR CODE RESISTANCE
Figure 1: All resistors are of 2.2 Ω

Figure 2: All resistors are of 2.2 Ω

 PROCEDURE

I. First, we have to connect the same resistors in series

and parallel to get the desired shape of circuit.

II. We can connect the resistors by the use of soldering

iron, resistors can be connected by putting the melted
wire pieces over the connections with the help of
soldering iron.

III. Once all the resistors are connected, leave the circuitas
it takes a few seconds for it to become solid at all its
ends.

IV. Take a digital multimeter and connect it across the

terminals of the prepared circuit.

V. Set the multimeter over the resistance option so as to

obtain the value of the associated resistance of the
circuit.

VI. Keep the multimeter at same terminals for a while so

that précised value of resistance can be observed.

VII. Once value of resistance obtained on multimeter,

compare it with the theoretically calculated value.
 CALCULATION

For figure 1
The network is not reducible to a simple series and parallel
combinations of resistors. There is, however, a clear
symmetry in the problem which we can exploit to obtain the
equivalent resistance of the network.

The paths AA’, AD and AB are obviously symmetrically

placedin the network. Thus the current in each must be the
same, say, I. Further, at the corners A’, B and D, the
incoming current I must split equally into the two outgoing
branches.
In this manner the current in all 12 edges of the cubes are
easily written down in terms of I, using Kirchhoff’s 1st rule
and the symmetry in the problem. Next take a closed loop,
say, ABCC’EA and apply Kirchhoff’s 2nd rule.

−𝑰𝑹 – ½ 𝑰𝑹 − 𝑰𝑹 + 𝑬 = 𝟎

Where R is the resistance of each edge and E the emf of

battery. Thus,

𝐸 = 5/2𝐼𝑅

The equivalent resistance R of the network is E/3I = 5/6R

For R=2.2Ω, 𝑅 = 1.83𝛺

For figure 2

Let ABCDFGHK be the open cube formed by joining

elevenequal wires each of resistance RΩ.

Let the current of cell of emf. We enter the cube at corner A

and after passing through all the wires leave at K.

Let us suppose that the total current in the circuit is 2I. At A

this current is divided into 2 parts: I along AB and I along AD
at the points B and D each part of current is further divided
into 2 parts. The distribution of current in the various arms of
the skeleton cube is shown according to Kirchhoff’s first law.
The current leaving the cube at K is again 2I. Let 𝑅𝑒𝑞 be the
equivalent resistance of skeleton cube between edges A and
K.

For Ohm’s law

𝐸 = 2𝐼𝑅𝑒𝑞

Applying Kirchhoff’s second law to mesh EABHKE we have,

𝐸 = 2𝑅𝐼 + 𝑅𝐼1

Applying Kirchhoff’s second law to mesh DFGCD we have,

𝑅𝐼1 − 𝑅(𝐼 − 𝐼1) − 2 × 𝑅(𝐼 − 𝐼1) = 0
𝑅𝐼1 − 𝑅𝐼 + 𝑅𝐼1 − 2𝑅𝐼 + 2𝑅𝐼1 − 𝑅𝐼 + 𝑅𝐼1 =
05𝑅𝐼1 − 4𝑅𝐼 = 0
5𝑅𝐼1 = 4𝑅𝐼
𝐼1 = 4/5IR
𝐸 = 2𝑅𝐼 + 𝑅 (4I/5) =

14𝑅𝐼/52𝐼𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 14RI/5

𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 14R/10

For 𝑅 = 2.2Ω, 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 3.08Ω

 OBSERVATION TABLE

EXPERIMENTAL
THEORETICAL
CASE VALUE OF
VALUEOF
NO. RESISTANCE RESISTANCE

CASE 1 1.826 Ω 1.83 Ω

CASE 2 3.1 Ω 3.08 Ω

RESULT:
Net Resistance of Figure 1 by experiment and by using
Kirchhoff’s law is ≈ 1.83 Ω

Net Resistance of Figure 1 by experiment and by using

Kirchhoff’s law is ≈ 3.08 Ω
 PRECAUTION

I. All connections and plug should be tight.

II. Solder the corners of the cube used underthe

guidance of an adult.

III. Handle the circuit with care.

IV. Never apply power to the circuit while

measuring resistance with a multimeter.

V. Connect the multimeter in series with thecircuit

for current measurements, and in parallel for
voltage measurements
 DISCUSSION

Kirchhoff's circuit laws are two equalities that dealwith

the current and potential
difference (commonly known as voltage) in
the lumped element model of electrical circuits.They
were first described in 1845 by German physicist
Gustav Kirchhoff.

Hence Kirchoff’s law has been verified

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.NCERT Class 12 Physics

2.MTG books class 12 Physics

3.K.M. SMITH CENG., M.I.E.E., in Electrical Engineering Principlesfor

Technicians, 1970

4. Nicolae Lobontiu, in System Dynamics for Engineering Students(Second

Edition), 2018

5. David L. Terrell, in Op Amps (Second Edition), 1996

6. Michael F. Modest, Sandip Mazumder, in Radiative Heat Transfer

(Fourth Edition), 2022