EXPERIMENT No.
Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in parallel.
Materials Required
1. A battery
2. A plug key
3. Connecting wires
4. An ammeter
5. A voltmeter
6. Rheostat
7. A piece of sandpaper
8. Two resistors.
Theory
If the resistors are connected in parallel along with a battery, then the total current I is calculated as
a sum of the separate value of current through each branch. It is given as:
I = I1+I2+I3+….
Procedure
1. Make all the connections as shown in the experimental setup I by keeping the key off.
2. Insert the key when the circuit is connected appropriately.
3. For resistors R1 and R2, note three readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
4. Connect the circuit as shown in the experimental setup II.
5. Resistors and voltmeter both are connected in parallel.
6. Record three readings of ammeter and voltmeter and use a rheostat.
7. Remove the key.
8. With the help of the observation table, do the calculations
Observation Table
Resistor used No.of Voltmeter Ammeter R=V/I Mean value of
observations reading in reading in (in resistance
Volts (V) Ampere (I) Ohm) (Ohm)
R1 (first resistor) a 0.01 0.01 1 R1 = 1 ohm
b 0.02 0.02 1
c 0.04 0.04 1
R2 (second a 0.02 0.01 2 R2 = 2 ohm
resistor)
b 0.06 0.03 2
c 0.08 0.04 2
1/Rp=(1/R1)+(1/R2) a 0.02 0.03 0.67 Rp=0.67 ohm
Parallel
combination b 0.04 0.06 0.67
c 0.06 0.09 0.67
Result
The calculated value of Rp 0.66 ohm
The experimental value of Rp 0.66 ohm
The equivalent resistance Rp is less than the individual resistance.
Precautions
1. The connecting wires used should be thick copper wire and using sandpaper, the insulation
at the end of the wires should be removed.
2. The connections should be tight to avoid introducing external resistance.
3. To make connections, the circuit diagram should be referred to.
4. To make the current entry from the positive terminal and exit from the negative terminal, the
ammeter should be connected in series.
5. Resistor and voltmeter should be connected in parallel.
6. The least count of ammeter and voltmeter should be calculated properly.
EXPERIMENT No. 6
Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in series.
Materials Required
• Two resistors.
• A battery of 6 volts
• Ammeter
• Plug key
• Connecting wires
• A piece of sandpaper
• Voltmeter
• Rheostat
Theory
The resistance can be increased or decreased depending on the combination and connections in a
circuit. Resistors are said to be connected in series if their ends are joined. The potential difference
across each resistor would be different, but the current would be the same.
If two resistors are connected in series, then;
Resistance, R = R1+R2
Procedure
1. Make all the connections as shown in the experimental setup I by keeping the key off.
2. Insert the key when the circuit is connected appropriately.
3. For resistors R1 and R2, note three readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
4. Connect the circuit as shown in the experimental setup II.
5. Resistors are connected in series and voltmeter is connected in parallel to their series
combination.
6. Record three readings of ammeter and voltmeter and use a rheostat.
7. Remove the key.
8. With the help of the observation table, do the calculations
Observation Table
Resistor used No.of Voltmeter Ammeter R= Mean value of resistance
observations reading in reading in V/I (in (ohm)
Volts (V) Ampere (I) ohm)
R1 (first resistor) a 0.01 0.01 1 R1=(1+1+1)/3=3/3=1ohm
b 0.02 0.02 1
c 0.04 0.04 1
R2 (second a 0.02 0.01 2 R2=(2+2+2)/3=6/3=2ohm
resistor)
b 0.06 0.03 2
c 0.08 0.04 2
Rs=R1+R2 (series a 0.03 0.01 3 Rs =(3+3+3)/3=9/3=3ohm
combination)
b 0.06 0.02 3
c 0.09 0.03 3
Result
The calculated value of Rs Rs=R1+R2=3Ω
The experimental value of Rs 3Ω
Hence, it is verified that Rs=R1+R2.
Precautions
1. Voltmeter and resistor should always be in parallel.
2. The least count of voltmeter and ammeter should be calculated properly.
3. Connections should be as per the experimental setup.
4. When no current flows through the ammeter and voltmeter, the pointers should be at zero.
5. The connecting wires that are used should be thick copper wire and using sandpaper the
insulation at the end of the wires should be removed.
6. The connections should be tight to avoid introducing external resistance.
7. To avoid heating and change the resistor’s resistance value, the current should flow while
taking the readings.
