Measuring resistance with a voltmeter and an
ammeter
Class praticals
Determining resistance from measurements of potential difference (p.d.) and current.
Apparatus and materials
Ammeter, 0 to 1 A, DC
Voltmeter, (0-15 V), DC
Power supply, low voltage, DC
Lamp (12 V, 6 W) in holder
Resistor (approx 15 ohms, 10 watt)
Various other components
Health & Safety and Technical notes
Read our standard health & safety guidance
Remind the class that the lamp will get hot, so it should only be moved by handling the lamp
holder.
Procedure
a Set up the circuit shown. Turn the power supply up until the p.d. across the lamp is 12 V (the
normal operating voltage).
b Take readings of the p.d. and current.
c Calculate the resistance of the lamp at its running temperature.
d Now, for several different values of p.d., measure the current through the lamp. Plot a graph of
your results; this graph is known as the voltage-current characteristic of the lamp.
e Replace the lamp in the circuit with the resistor. Repeat the experiment and calculate its
resistance. Take sufficient readings to allow you to plot the voltage-current characteristic.
Teaching notes
1 This series of experiments should give students practice in taking a pair of current and potential
difference readings for various components so that the resistance of the component can be
calculated from V/I = R.
2 It can also be extended so that students plot the current/potential difference characteristics for
components such as a carbon resistor, a diode, a light-emitting diode (LED), a thermistor, motor
armature, electric fire element (12 V supply only!) and so on. Students will need to be able to
select appropriate meters, as the current through some of these devices may be very small. Each
member of the class could tackle one component and present their results to the class, or produce
a wall display.
3 Some things which appear not to obey Ohm's law might, in fact, do so; for example, the
tungsten filament of a lamp. Tungsten's resistance increases as the lamp gets hotter, but if it could
be maintained at a constant temperature then its resistance would be constant.
4 For suggested graphs.
The effect of temperature on a thermistor
Class practical
This experiment, for advanced level students, shows that the current through a thermistor
increases with temperature, as more charge carriers become available.
Apparatus and materials
timer or clock
Leads, 4 mm
Crocodile clip holder
Thermometer -10C to 110C
Thermistor - negative temperature, coefficient, e.g. 100 ohm at 25C (available from Rapid
Electronics).
Power supply, 5 V, DC or four 1.5 V cells
Beaker, 250 ml
Kettle to provide hot water
Digital multimeter, used as a milliammeter
Heat-resistant mat
Power supply, low voltage, DC, continuously variable or stepped supply with rheostat (>1 A)
Health & Safety and Technical notes
Read our standard health & safety guidance
A thermistor may be described as:
ntc 'negative temperature coefficient': its resistance decreases as the temperature
increases
ptc 'positive temperature coefficient': its resistance increases as the temperature
increases
If you have both types available, students may be interested in comparing them.
Procedure
a Set up the circuit as shown below.
b Pour boiling water into the beaker and take readings of the current through the thermistor as
the temperature falls. Record the results.
Analysis
c Plot a graph of current/ mA (y-axis) against temperature/ C (x-axis).
d Assuming that the voltage is constant, describe how the conductance or resistance varies with
temperature.
Teaching notes
1 The thermistor is made from a mixture of metal oxides such as copper, manganese and nickel;
it is a semiconductor. As the temperature of the thermistor rises, so does the conductance.
2 The increase in conductance is governed by the Boltzmann factor. Whether or not your
students need to understand Boltzmann, they should be able to grasp that
as the temperature goes up, the resistance goes down
in this case, it happens because more charge carriers are released to engage in
conduction.
