Experiment Title: Ohm’s Law – Series and Parallel Circuits

Course Code: PHYS 102L

Course Title: Principles of Physics II LAB
Student Names: Sara AlJawder / Youssef Farag
Student IDs: A01247 / A01245
Team Leader: Sara Aljawder
Date: 17/10/2023
Time:

Answer Sheet
(for logbook submission)

(Note: Work is to be shared equally between the team members. For every
sketch/drawing/listing, write by the side the name of the member who did it.)

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Pre-Lab Quiz
Record you team’s answer as well as your reasonings and explanations, and the sources from which you
obtained the data:

1. Write down Ohm’s Law and explain its meaning

ΔV = IR, Potential difference (voltage) = Current electrical (Ampere) × Resistance (Ω)

Ohm's Law states that the voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through
it, provided all physical conditions and temperatures remain constant.

2. What is special about metals in relation to Ohm’s Law?

The resistance of metals is relatively constant over a wide range of voltages and currents. So metals follow
Ohm law over a wide range of potential differences and current.

Metals consistently follow Ohm's Law, meaning that the current flowing through a metal is directly
proportional to the voltage applied across it.

3. If two copper wires of the same length have different thickness, then the thicker wire has:
o less resistance
o more resistance
o both the same resistance

The resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. This means that the thicker the
wire, the less resistance it has. This is because the thicker wire has more room for the electrons to flow
through.

4. Two light bulbs are connected to a battery, one at a time. The bulb that draws more current has the
o lower resistance but is dimmer.
o higher resistance but is dimmer.
o higher resistance and is brightest

5. When you turn on a lamp, the initial current in its filament is greater at first, rather than a moment later,
which indicates
something is faulty.
increased temperature means increased resistance.
a time delay for current attaining its average speed.
nothing of interest.

6. As current flows through a uniform wire, the wire gets hotter because the electrons stop moving and
therefore transform their lost kinetic energy into thermal energy in the wire.

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True.
False.

DAY 1

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INTRODUCTION
Ohm’s law describes the relationship between electric potential, current, and resistance. In this experiment,
you will examine how combinations of batteries and resistors affect both the energy and the flow rate of
charge in electrical circuits.

PRE-LAB INVESTIGATION
1. Set up the series circuit shown in the figure using the
Vernier Circuit Board, lead wires, and a long (L) and a
round (R) bulb. The two D-cell batteries power the
circuit. If D-cell batteries are not available, your
instructor will show you an alternate way to supply
power to the circuit.

2. Complete the circuit by turning the switch labeled SW1

(just below the batteries) to the ON position. Examine
the light emitted by the two bulbs. The brightness of a
bulb is a function of both the current flowing through
filament and the potential difference across it.

3. You will notice that there is a difference between the brightness of the two bulbs. Which bulb is brighter?
Write your observation in the table below, alongside the basic specification for the bulbs.

Bulb Type Bulb No Nominal Current (A) Nominal Voltage (V) Brightness
Round
Long

4. Why do you think the brighter is brighter?

5. Draw below the circuit you have just set up, showing only the source of emf (with their symbol), bulbs
(with their symbol) and the wires (connecting the emf and bulbs). Do show the values of emf for the
source of power. Draw the circuit with letters A/B/C/D/E/F to show the relevant points of the circuit.

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6. Carry out the following measurements, by setting the probe in parallel with the corresponding set.

Points Circuit State Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
emf SW1 open
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed
F-A SW1 closed

7. Carry out the following measurements, by setting the probe in series with the corresponding set.

Points Circuit State Current (A) Current (A) Current (A) Current (A)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed

8. Why is sometimes the potential difference between two points zero?

9. What can you tell if you add all the averages of the potential differences from A and F? Can you write
down an equation relating these with the value of the emf?

10. What can you tell about the current between any set of points? Speculate on your result.

11. Calculate the resistance of each bulb using Ohm’s law as you stated it in the quiz section.

Bulb Potential across (V) Current across (A) Resistance (Ohm)

Long
Round

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Procedure – Part 1 - Series Circuits

1. Set up the series circuit shown in the schematic at right. R1

and R2 are the 10  and the 51  resistors mounted on the
circuit board. The labeled points indicate where you will
make your connections with the voltage and current probes.
Use the switch, SW1, just below the batteries to complete or
open the circuit.

2. With the circuit open, measure the potential difference between SW1 and B. Write it down below. Close
the circuit and zeroing the leads before each take, measure the voltage across different points in the
circuit (three times per take) and collect the results in the table below. Calculate the average value of the
voltage for each set of points.

Points Circuit State Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
SW1-B SW1 open
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed
F-A SW1 closed

3. With the circuit closed, measure the current across different points in the circuit (three times per take)
and collect the results in the table below. Calculate the average value for each set of points.

Points Circuit State Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed
F-A SW1 closed

4. Draw below with your own hands the circuit below, this time showing the actual values of emf for the
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 batteries, the actual value of the resistances, and the average voltage and current across the individual
resistances.

5. What can you tell if you add all the averages of the potential differences from A and F? Do write an
expression that connects them.

6. What can you tell about the current between any set of points? Speculate on your result.

7. Calculate the resistance of each resistor using Ohm’s law. Write to the right the actual value of the
resistance. Find the relative error of your measurement.

Resistor Potential Current Resistance Actual Resistance Relative

across (V) across (A) (Ohm) (Ohm) error (%)

Procedure – Part 2 - Parallel Circuits

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1. Set up the parallel circuit shown in the schematic at
right. R1 and R2 are the 10  and the 51  resistors
mounted on the circuit board. The labeled points
indicate where you will make your connections with
the voltage and current probes. Use the switch, SW1,
just below the batteries to complete or open the circuit.

2. With the circuit open, measure the potential difference between SW1 and B. Write it down below. Close
the circuit and zeroing the leads before each take, measure the voltage across different points in the
circuit (three times per take) and collect the results in the table below. Calculate the average value of the
voltage for each set of points.

Points Circuit State Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
SW1-B SW1 open
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed
F-A SW1 closed
C-F SW1 closed

3. With the circuit closed, measure the current across different points in the circuit (three times per take)
and collect the results in the table below. Calculate the average value for each set of points.

Points Circuit State Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
A-B SW1 closed
B-C SW1 closed
C-D SW1 closed
D-E SW1 closed
E-F SW1 closed
F-A SW1 closed
C-F SW1 closed

4. Draw below with your own hands the circuit below, this time showing the actual values of emf for the
batteries, the actual value of the resistances, and the average voltage and current across the individual

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 resistances.

5. Observing the values of potential difference is different across various points, do write an expression
that connects them.

8. What can you tell about the current between any set of points? Speculate on your result.

9. Calculate the resistance of each resistor using Ohm’s law. Write to the right the actual value of the
resistance. Find the relative error of your measurement.

Resistor Potential Current Resistance Actual Resistance Relative

across (V) across (A) (Ohm) (Ohm) error (%)

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 DAY 2

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Procedure – Part 3 - Circuits with Bulbs

1. Set up the series circuit you did in the pre-lab investigation. Close the circuit. Take a photograph of it
(dimming the lights in the room if necessary) and add it here. Add the circuit scheme to the right of the
photo. Note the brightness of the bulbs and show it in the scheme.

2. With the circuit closed, carry out the following measurements.

Points across Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
Long Bulb
Round Bulb

Points across Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
Long Bulb
Round Bulb

3. Find the power dissipated across each bulb, using the formula P = I V, and add the brightness
information to the table. Speculate on the result.
4.

Bulb Voltage (V) Current (I) Power (Watts) Brightness

Long
Round
1.

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4. Rearrange the circuit ensuring that the bulbs are in parallel.

5. Close the circuit. Take a photograph of it (dimming the lights in the room if necessary) and add it here.
Add the circuit scheme to the right of the photo. Note the brightness of the bulbs and show it in the
scheme.

6. With the circuit closed, carry out the following measurements.

Points across Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
Long Bulb
Round Bulb

Points across Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
Long Bulb
Round Bulb

7. Find the power dissipated across each bulb, using the formula P = I V, and add the brightness
information to the table. Speculate on the result.
8.

Bulb Voltage (V) Current (I) Power (Watts) Brightness

Long
Round

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8. Compare the results between the series and parallel arrangements by collecting all data in the table
below.

Bulb Arrangement Power (Watts) Brightness

Long Series
Round Series
Long Parallel
Round Parallel

9. Does the long bulb dissipate equally when in series and in parallel? Speculate about the reason for the
observation.

10. Does the round bulb dissipate equally when in series and in parallel? Speculate about the reason for
the observation.

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Part 4 – Ohms Law
1. Set up the series circuit shown in the schematic at right. R1 and R2 are the 10  and the 51  resistors
mounted on the circuit board. The labeled points indicate
where you will make your connections with the voltage and
current probes. Use the switch, SW1, just below the batteries
to complete or open the circuit.

2. Close the circuit. Now you will change the value of the emf
and measure the potential difference and the current across
the resistors. Following the same procedure as before, fill in
the tables below. Note: Set the emf, then measure the
potential difference for one resistor. Without changing the
emf, measure the current across that resistor. Then change the emf, and repeat the measurements, until
you have covered all the requested takes.

Points emf (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
F-E 2
F-E 4
F-E 6
F-E 8
F-E 10

Points emf (V) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
F-E 2
F-E 4
F-E 6
F-E 8
F-E 10

3. Collect your results in the table below.

Resistor Voltage (V) Current (I)

F-E
F-E
F-E
F-E
F-E

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4. Chart the data using excel, ensuring you title the axes and show the units. Are there any errand points?
Does it follow a specific graph type? If yes, which? Fit the data and show the result, including the r 2

5. How does the result you obtain compare to Ohm’s law? Does it follow it well? How much is the
resistance obtained experimentally? Does it agree with the known result? What is the relative error of
your measurement for the resistance?

6. Repeat the measurements for the second resistor and record them here below.

Points emf (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
C-D 2
C-D 4
C-D 6
C-D 8
C-D 10

Points emf (V) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I) Current (I)
Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 Average
C-D 2
C-D 4
C-D 6
C-D 8
C-D 10

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7. Collect your results in the table below.

Resistor Voltage (V) Current (I)

C-D
C-D
C-D
C-D
C-D

8. Chart the data using excel, ensuring you title the axes and show the units. Are there any errand points?
Does it follow a specific graph type? If yes, which? Fit the data and show the result, including the r 2

9. How does the result you obtain compare to Ohm’s law? Does it follow it well? How much is the
resistance obtained experimentally? Does it agree with the known result? What is the relative error of
your measurement for the resistance?

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