St.
JOHN SCHOOL, SECTOR 7A
PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS
Experiment -1
Aim
To study the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current (I)
passing through it and determine its resistance. Also, plot a graph between V and I.
Theory
What is Ohm’s law?
The potential difference V across the metallic wire is directly proportional to the current
flowing through it, provided its temperature is constant. This is known as Ohm’s law.
V∝I.
∴ V=IR, where R is the resistance, which is constant for a given metallic wire.
What are the factors affecting resistance?
Following are the factors affecting resistance:
● The nature of the resistor.
● With an increase in length, the resistance also increases. So resistance of a wire is directly
proportional to its length.
● With an increase in the cross-sectional area, the resistance decreases. So resistance is
inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the wire.
Materials Required
Following is the list of materials required for this experiment:
1. A battery
2. An insulated copper wire
3. A key
4. An ammeter
5. A voltmeter
6. A rheostat
7. A resistor
8. A piece of sandpaper
Circuit Diagram
Procedure
1. Arrange the devices as shown in the circuit diagram.
2. Connect the devices with the connecting wires keeping the key open.
3. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the positive terminal of the
ammeter.
4. Before connecting the voltmeter in the circuit, check for +ve and -ve terminals.
5. Check for ammeter and voltmeter reading once the circuit is connected and also adjust the
slider of rheostat after inserting the key.
6. For current I and voltmeter V, record three different readings using a slider.
7. Record the observations in the observation table.
8. Using the formula R=V/I, calculate the resistance.
9. To plot the graph between V and I, take V on the x-axis and I on the y-axis.
10. For pure metals, resistance increases with an increase in temperature.
Observation Table
i) Least count of ammeter and voltmeter
Sl.no Ammeter (A) Voltmeter (V)
1 Range 0-0.5 A 0-0.1 V
2 Least count 0.01 A 0.01 V
3 Zero error (e) 0 0
4 Zero correction 0 0
ii) For the reading of ammeter and voltmeter
Sl.no Current in Ampere (I) Potential difference in volts Resistance
(V) in ohms
(ammeter reading)
(voltmeter reading) R = V/I (Ω)
Observed Corrected Observed Corrected
1 0 0.02 0 0.04 R1= 2Ω
2 0 0.03 0 0.06 R2= 2Ω
3 0 0.04 0 0.08 R3= 2Ω
Graph
Conclusions
1. For all the three readings, the R-value is the same and constant.
2. The ratio of potential difference V and current I is the resistance of a resistor.
3. With the help of the graph between V and I, Ohm’s law is verified as the plot is a straight line.
Precautions
1. Thick copper wires should be used as connecting wires and using sandpaper, their insulation
should be removed.
2. To avoid external resistance, the connections should be tight.
3. The connections should be as per the circuit diagram and should be approved by the teacher
before conducting the experiment.
4. The current should enter from the positive terminal and exit from the negative terminal of the
ammeter and it should be connected in series with the resistor.
5. Resistor and voltmeter should be connected in parallel.
6. The least count of ammeter and voltmeter should be recorded properly.
7. When there is no current flow, the pointers of ammeter and voltmeter should be at zero.
8. To avoid unnecessary heating in the circuit, the current should be passed for a short time.
Experiment -2
Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in parallel.
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+….
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 of different values
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 No.of Voltmeter Ammeter R=V/I (in Mean value
used observations reading in reading in Ohm) of resistance
Volts (V) Ampere (I) (Ohm)
R1 (first a 0.01 0.01 1 R1 = 1 ohm
resistor)
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)+( a 0.026 0.04 0.67 Rp=0.67 ohm
1/R2)
1/Rp=1.5
Parallel
ohm
combination
Result
The calculated value of
The experimental value of
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.
7. When there is no current flow, the ammeter and voltmeter should be at zero.
8. To avoid heating and change the resistor’s resistance value, the current should flow while
taking the readings.
Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in series.
Theory
The resistance can be increased or decreased depending on the combination and
connections in a circuit. The difference between the series and parallel circuit is based
on the arrangement of the resistors. 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
Current, I = constant
Potential difference, V = V1+V2
On applying Ohm’s law, we get,
V1 = IR1
V2 +IR2
V = V1+V2
V = I(R1+R2)
∴ R = R1+R2
Materials Required
● Two resistors of different values
● A battery of 6 volts
● Ammeter
● Plug key
● Connecting wires
● A piece of sandpaper
● Voltmeter
● Rheostat
Circuit Diagram
Procedure
1. With the help of a circuit diagram, make the connections.
2. Do not switch on the key.
3. The ammeter should be connected in series, the voltmeter in parallel, and the rheostat in
series.
4. Make the connections as shown in the experimental setup and check of +ve and -ve
terminals of the battery.
5. By inserting the key, record the ammeter and voltmeter readings.
6. Note three readings by adjusting the rheostat.
7. Note down the readings of a voltmeter by connecting it to each resistor.
8. Measure the potential difference, V1 across the first resistor by plugging in the key.
9. Measure the potential difference, V2 across the second resistor by plugging in the key.
10. Calculate the relationship between V, V1, and V2.
Observation Table
Resistor No.of Voltmeter Ammeter R = V/I (in Mean value
used observations reading in reading in ohm) of resistance
Volts (V) Ampere (I) (ohm)
R1 (first a 0.01 0.01 1
resistor)
b 0.02 0.02 1
c 0.04 0.04 1
R2 (second a 0.02 0.01 2
resistor)
b 0.06 0.03 2
c 0.08 0.04 2
Rs=R1+R2(ser a 0.03 0.01 3
ies
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.
