X - Ohm's Law Experiment

Ohm’s Law
Experiment No. - ……
Aim –
To study the dependence of current (I) on the potential (V) across a resistor and determine its
resistance using Ohm’s law. Also plot a graph between V and I.
Apparatus Required –
The cell/battery or an accumulator, connecting wires, a plug key, a resistor (unknown resistance),
a rheostat (10 Ω), an ammeter (may be of 0 – 1.0/1.5 Ampere range), a voltmeter (may be of 0 –
1.5/3 Volt range).
Theory -
The friction or obstruction offered to the passage of electric current by some electric conductor is
called resistance.
The unit of resistance is ohm (Ω). A conductor is said to have a resistance of 1.0 ohm if its ends
are at a potential difference of 1.0 volts, when a current of 1.0 ampere flows through it.
The resistance of an electric resistor depends on:
(i) the nature of resistor
(ii) the length of resistor
(iii) the area of cross-section.
The resistance of pure metals generally increases with the rise in temperature. Materials,
like nichrome, constantan, manganin and eureka are commonly used for making resistors.
Ohm’s Law: Ohm’s Law states that the potential difference developed across the ends of a
conductor is directly proportional to current flowing through it, provided the physical conditions
remain the same. Mathematically,
V α I, where V = potential difference and I = current
or V = IR where R is a constant, called resistance of the conductor. The S.I. unit of resistance is
ohm and represented by Ω (symbol). Ohm’s law is obeyed by conductors and semi-conductors
and is not valid for diodes, triodes, electrolytes etc.
Circuit Diagram -
Procedure -
1. Draw a neat circuit diagram on your practical notebook as shown in the figure.
2. Arrange the apparatus on the table in the laboratory and make the circuit connections as
shown in the figure. Ammeter is connected in series with the given resistor and voltmeter
is connected in parallel i.e. across it. Record the zero errors in ammeter and voltmeter.
3. Make sure that +ve and –ve terminals of voltmeter and ammeter are connected correctly.
4. Insert the plug key and check that ammeter and voltmeter show deflection. Adjust the
rheostat to pass a small current through the given resistor. Note the ammeter and
voltmeter readings.
5. Increase the current step by step by adjusting the slider of the rheostat and take about 6 to
7 readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
6. Tabulate the observations simultaneously.
7. Find V/I ratio for each set of observations and record it in the observation table.
8. Draw a graph by plotting ammeter and voltmeter readings.
Observations -
Lease count of the ammeter = 0.1 ampere
Lease count of the voltmeter = 0.1 volt.
Zero error of ammeter = nil
Zero error of voltmeter = nil
If zero error of the instrument is negative, then it must be added to the observed value to get the
corrected value and vice versa.
Observations Table -
Ammeter Reading Voltmeter Reading Resistance
Current I Potential Difference V V
S. No. —— = R
Observed Corrected Observed Corrected I
Valeu Value Value Value (Ohm)
(Ampere) (Ampere) (volt) (volt)
1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.4 R1 = 4.0
2 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.7 R2 = 3.5
3 0.3 0.3 1.2 1.2 R3 = 4.0
4 0.5 0.5 2.2 2.2 R4 = 4.4
5 0.7 0.7 2.8 2.8 R5 = 4.0
Calculations -
Mean value of resistance of the given resistor
, R = 4.0 Ω
Result -
(a) From the graph it is evident that the potential difference across a resistor is directly
proportional to the current flowing through it.
(b) The resistance of the given resistor = 4.0 Ohm.
Precautions -
1. Draw a correct circuit diagram and set the apparatus accordingly.
2. Make tight connections, while connecting various components of the circuit.
3. The plug key should be inserted only when you are ready to record the readings.
4. Note the zero error and range of ammeter and voltmeter.
5. Positive terminals of ammeter and voltmeter should be connected to the positive pole of
the cell and the higher potential terminal of the rheostat respectively.
6. A low resistance rheostat should be used in order to change the current smoothly.
7. The voltmeter should be of high resistance.
8. Excessive current should not be passed in the resistor otherwise due to large heating its
temperature may increase. Due to increase in temperature the ratio V / I may not remain
constant.
Note for the Students -
1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires by sand paper and then make neat, clean and tight
connections.
2. If the connections are not tight or heavy current is passed through circuit or the circuit is
switched on for a long time the value of resistance may not be constant.
3. Thick connecting wires should be used.

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Ohm’s Law

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