EXPERIMENT 4

OHMS LAW
I

II

OBJECTIVES:
1

To demonstrate Ohms Law and to show its various forms.

To become familiar with DC voltmeters and ammeters.

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Electrical resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrical current in a circuit and
is dependent on many factors. Copper wire, though considered a good conductor of
electric current, does offer some resistance. A German physicist, George Simon Ohm
(1787-1854), discovered that the ratio of voltage to current was constant for a given metal
conductor of specified length and cross-sectional area. This ratio is known RESISTANCE
and is expressed in units of ohm, in his honor. Ohms Law is often referred to as the
foundation of circuit analysis and can be expressed by the formula:
R = E/I
where:
E:

-------------------------------------------------------------------- (Equation 1)

the potential difference from one end of a resistance element to the other,
measured in volts
I: the electrical current through the same resistance element, measured in
amperes
R: the resistance of the same element, measured in ohms

The other useful expressions can be derived from equation (1):

they are:
I=E/R
------------------------------------------------------------------(Equation 2)
E=IxR

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(Equation 3)
In order to produce a current, a voltage must first exist across the resistance.
Early experimenter in electricity recognized the fact that an electric current was a
movement of charges along a conductor. The direction of the flow of current was not
known and unfortunately, it was arbitrarily chosen to be a positively charged body to a
negatively charged body (positive to negative) and this convention has been so firmly
established that it is still in use.
Thus, the conventional direction or positive direction of current flow taken to
be from positive to negative even though it is now known that the direction of electron
flow, which actually constitutes an electric current, is from negative to positive.

LBYEC11 Experiment Manual

Experiment 4: Ohms Law

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Electric power systems of which this program is a part use CONVENTIONAL
CURRENT FLOW for electric current. In this conventional system, current flows from
negative to positive to negative terminal. A VOLT is the unit of electrical pressure or
potential. Voltage is measured by using a voltmeter. Voltmeters have high internal resistance
and are always connected in parallel with a circuit or component such as a resistor. See Figure
4.1.

Figure 4.1
Voltmeter Connects in Parallel across Load Resistor R1
Note: that the polarities marked on the meter terminals must be observed to
obtain a positive (up-scale) meter reading. If the connections are reversed, the pointer
will deflect in the negative direction.
The AMPERE is the unit of electric current. Current is measured using an
ammeter. Ammeters have low internal resistance and are always connected in series
with a circuit of component such as a resistor. See Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2
Ammeter Connects in Series with Load Resistor R1
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Experiment 4: Ohms Law
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The same note about the voltmeter polarity applies to an ammeter. Polarity
must be maintained for proper deflection.
III

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

1
1
1
1
10

IV

---------------------------------------------------

DC Power Supply (0-30VDC)

EMS Resistance Module
Digital Voltmeter (0-300VDC)
Digital Ammeter (0-10ADC)
Connecting Wires

PROCEDURE:
1

Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 4.3. Be careful to observe the polarities of the
instruments.

Figure 4.3
2

Turn ON the switch of the power and slowly adjust the control knob until the
voltmeter across the 100 ohms load indicates 30DVC. The current flowing through the
circuit is indicated by the 0-10A range ammeter. Record this current in the space
provided in the table. Repeat for each of the voltage listed in Table 4.1.

Turn OFF the switch of the power supply but do not disconnect the circuit. Using the
values of I and E from the table in Step 4, calculate the ratios of E/I in each case.
Record your calculations in Table 4.2.

Using the results in Table 4.2 get the average value of E/I.
Note: that the ratio between the voltage applied across the resistor and the current
flowing through it is a constant value, called resistance.

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Experiment 4: Ohms Law
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5 You will now verify that the alternate form of Ohms Law (I = E/R) is valid. Use the
same circuit shown in Figure 4.3. Turn ON the switch of the power and adjust to
25VDC as indicated in the voltmeter across the 100-ohm resistor. Measure and record
the current through the 100 ohms resistor. Return the voltage to zero and turn OFF the
switch of the power supply.
6

You will now verify that the other alternate form of Ohms Law (E = I x R) is valid.
Use the same circuit shown in Figure 4.3. However, this time set the resistance to 50
ohms. Turn ON the switch of the power supply and adjust the output voltage until th
current meter indicates 0.6A. Measure and record the voltage across the 50 ohms
resistance. Turn OFF the switch.

You will now measure the value of an equivalent resistance without the using the
ohmmeter. Use the same circuit shown in Figure 4.3.Turn ON the switch of the power
supply and adjust the output voltage to 30 VDC as measured in the voltmeter across
the resistance. Vary the resistance by using the switches until approximately 0.3A is
indicated by the current meter. Readjust the voltage control if necessary to maintain
40 VDC across the resistance.

Using the Ohms Law and with the above voltage (30V) and current (0.3A),
calculate the equivalent resistance now in the circuit. Return the voltage to zero
and turn OFF the switch of the power supply.

Using the formula for series or parallel resistance, and with the resistances you
have connected in series or parallel, calculate R equivalent.

Disconnect your circuit without disturbing the position of the resistance switches.
With your ohmmeter, measure the equivalent resistance of step 7.

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Experiment 4: Ohms Law
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PRELIMINARY REPORT

Date Performed:

09/30/2014

Experiment Number: 4
Experiment Title: OHMS LAW
Group Number:

Signature:

Group Leader:

_______________

Group Members Present:

__________________________

______

__________________________

______________

__________________________

________

__________________________

________

__________________________

DATA AND RESULTS:

Step 2.

Table 4.1
Voltage
Current

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Step 3.
Table 4.2
Voltage
E/I

Step 4. Average value of E/I = ___________ ________

Step 5. Imeasured = ___________________ Adc
Step 6. Emeasured = ___________________ Vdc
Step 7. a. Requivalent = E/I = 40/0.2 = ____________ ohms
b. Requivalent = _____________ ohms
Step 8. Requivalent = ______________ ohms
Instructors Signature: __________________________
`

LBYEC11 Experiment Manual

Grade: _______________________

Experiment 4: Ohms Law

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VI

COMPUTATION/GRAPHS:

VII

ANALYSIS/CONCLUSION:

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Experiment 4: Ohms Law
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VIII
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED:
1

From the results of Steps 1 and 2, does the voltmeter have an appreciably higher
internal resistance than the two current meters? Can you explain why?

Plot the recorded currents (at the listed voltages) of Table 4.1 on a graphing paper.

Draw a smooth curve through these plotted points. Is the current directly proportional
to the voltage? Does the current double, triple, etc. when the voltage doubles, triples,
etc.?

From the result of Step 5, does Imeasured = E/R = 25/100?

From the result of Step 6, does Emeasured = I x R = 0.6 x 50?

Is there an agreement between the results of (a) and (b) in Step 7?

Is there a good agreement between the ohmmeter measurement of R equivalent and the
calculated Requivalent of Step 7-b?

Using Ohms Law in its various forms, fill in the blanks in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3
E
I
R

1
6
2

2
5
25

3
4
8

4
9
3

5
6
12

6
5
10

7
12
4

8
12
30

9
100
1000

10
120
0.1

A 3ADC meter has a resistance of 0.1 ohm. If it were accidentally connected across a
120VDC line, what would be the current through the instrument? What do you think
would happen?

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Experiment 4: Ohms Law

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10 A 3ADC meter has a resistance of 0.5 ohm, and carries a current of 2 amps. What is
the voltage across the terminals?
11 A 0-150VDC meter has a resistance of 150,000 ohms. What is the current through the
instrument when it is connected across a 120VDC line?
12 An experimenter accidentally touches a 240 VDC line. If his skin resistance is 10,000
ohms, what value of current flows through his body?
13 Birds have been to perch on 2300 volts bare transmission line without apparent harm.
Is this because of the very dry manure of their feet?
14 An ammeter having a scale of 0-10ADC and a resistance of 1 ohm is connected across
a source of 300 mill volts. What will it indicate?

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Experiment 4: Ohms Law
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