Experiment – 5 B
Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in parallel.
Theory
When the resistors are connected in parallel with a combination of cells or battery, in such case
the total current I, is equal to the sum of the separate value of current through each branch of
the combination.
i.e., I=I1+I2+I3+…..
In the above circuit let R be the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of resistors.
∴ By applying Ohm’s law we have
I=V/Rp …(1)
On applying Ohm’s law to each resistor we get
When resistors are connected in parallel combination the total resistance is reciprocal sum of
the individual resistances.
i.e., 1/Rp = (1/R1) + (1/R2)
Current is constant in series circuit. Hence, we cannot connect bulb and room heater in series
because their current requirement is different.
Hence such devices are connected in parallel so that the current is divided through the different
electrical gadgets.
The total current is always decreased when resistors are connected in parallel.
When the resistors are connected in parallel then the equivalent resistance of the parallel
combination of the resistors is always low.
Materials Required
A battery, a plug key, connecting wires, an ammeter, a voltmeter, rheostat, a piece of sand paper and
two resistors of different value.
Procedure
1. Keep the key off and make all the connections as shown in the given figure I.
2. When the circuit is connected appropriately insert the key.
3. Note three readings of ammeter and voltmeter for the resistors R1 and R2 separately.
4. Now connect the circuit as shown in figure II below.
5. The resistors are connected in parallel and voltmeter is also connected in parallel.
6. Use the rheostat and record three different readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
7. Remove the key.
8. Do the calculations from the observation table.
Circuit Diagrams
Observation Table For Resistance In Parallel
Resistor No. of Voltmeter Ammeter R=V/I Mean Value of
Reading in Volts Reading in Resistance (Ohm)
Used Observations (in
(V) Ampere (I)
Ohm)
R
1 (a) 0.01 0.01 1 R1 = 1 Ohm
(Ist Resistor) (b) 0.02 0.02 1
(c) 0.04 0.04 1
R
2 (a) 0.02 0.01 2 R2 = 2 Ohm
(2nd Resistor) (b) 0.06 0.03 2
(c) 0.08 0.04 2
1/Rp= (1/R1)+ (1/R2) (a) 0.026 0.04 0.67 Rp = 0.67 Ohm
(ParallelCombination) 1/Rp =1.5 Ohm
Result
1. The calculated value of 1/Rp = (1/R1) + (1/R2) = 1.5 Ω
2. The experimental value of 1/Rp = 1.5 Ω
3. The equivalent resistance (Rp) is less than the individual resistance (R1 or R2)
Precautions
1. The connecting wires should be thick copper wires and the insulation of their ends should be
removed using the sand paper.
2. Connections should be tight otherwise some external resistance may introduce in the circuit.
3. Connections should be made as per the circuit.
4. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor such that the current enters at the
positive terminal and leaves at the negative terminal of the ammeter.
5. Voltmeter should always be connected in parallel to resistor.
6. Calculate the least count of voltmeter and ammeter correctly.
7. The pointers of the ammeter and voltmeter should be at zero mark when no current flows
through the circuit.
8. Current should be passed through the circuit for a short time while taking observations;
otherwise current would cause unnecessary heating in the circuit. Heating may change the
resistance of resistors.
