Physics 201 Experiment 9 Series – Parallel Resistor Networks

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Objective
The objective of this experiment is to study the effect of resistors connected in series, in parallel, and in
a series-parallel network. This will be accomplished by first analyzing the particular circuits, and then
the theoretical and experimental values will then be compared.

Equipment

1. Power supply
2. Resistors 510, 1k, 1.5k, 2k, ohms
3. #22 gage wire
4. Breadboard
5. Voltmeter
6. Amp-meter

Introduction

An electrical circuit is comprised of a V1

12V
 "source of Potential" ( A battery, the long plate is positive )
 a "load using the electricity" , usually modeled as a resistor
 Conducting pathways (wires) to interconnect the loads and to connect to the battery.
 Closed conducting pathway starting and terminating at the same point (Current will not flow
through an "open Circuit" )

In the case of "Lumped Parameter Circuits" the laws of Maxwell, which govern electromagnetic
phenomenon, reduce to algebraic equations know as "Kirchhoff's Laws.

KVL (Kirchhoff's Voltage Law) This law can be thought of as the Conservation of Electrical
Energy Law. The sum of the voltage rises and drops around a closed path must be zero.
Closed
KVL ∑ V i =0
Loop

KCL (Kirchhoff's Current Law) This law can be thought of as the Conservation of charge.
The sum of the currents entering a node must equal the sum of the currents leaving the node
KCL ∑ I ¿=∑ I out
Circuit Configurations;
The configuration of the resistors below, where there is only one continuous path connecting the
resistors, is called a SERIES CONFIGURATION.

+ - + - + -
A

Is 510Ω 1kΩ 1.5kΩ

R1 R2 R3

+
10V
2kΩ
R4

-
B
An application of KCL at the points in-between the resistors will show the current through each
resistor in series is the same.

I 1=I 2=I 3 =I 4=I S

An application of KVL yields , starting at "A" and walking around in a CW direction,

V 1 +V 2 +V 3 +V 4 −V S =0

Applying OHMS law and the results of KCL we have

I 1∙ R 1+ I 2 ∙ R2 + I 3∙ R 3+ I 4 ∙ R 4−V S=0

V S =(R ¿ ¿ 1+ R 2+ R3 + R4 )∙ I S ¿

V S =Requ ∙ I s Requ =R1 + R2 + R3 + R4

This allows us to replace our resistors by ONE equivalent resistor between the terminals A-B. The
same current and the same voltage appear across the terminals of the one resistor circuit as does in the
VS
original circuit. We then have the current in our original circuit is . I s= and the voltage across an
Requ

of the + - + - + - resistors is A
series is given by
A Ohm's Law
510Ω 1kΩ 1.5kΩ Is
Is
R1 R2 R3
10V R_equivalent
+

10V
2kΩ
R4
V x=
( )VS
∙ Rx
-

B Requ
B
The configuration of the resistors below, where the voltage across each resistor is the same , is called a
PARALLEL CONFIGURATION.

An application of KVL yields ,

V 1=V 2 =V 3=V S

An application of KCL at the NODEA will show the current IN (I S) must equal the current OUT, (the
sum of I1,I2 and I3 )
I S=I 1 + I 2+ I 3

Applying OHMS law and the results of KVL we have

V1 V2 V3
I s= + +
R1 R2 R3

I s=
[ 1 1 1
+ +
R1 R 2 R 3]∙VS

I s=
[ ]
1
R equ
∙V S
1 1 1 1
= + +
R equ R1 R 2 R 3

This allows us to replace our resistors by ONE equivalent resistor between the terminals X-Y. The
same current and the same voltage appear across the terminals of the one resistor circuit as does in the
VS
original circuit. We then have the current in our original circuit is I s= and through any of the
Requ

resistors is series is given by Ohm's Law I x =

Rx ( )
R equ
∙IS

X
Is

10V R_equivalent

Y
Procedure

1. For each resistor complete table 1. Use the Ohmmeter to measure the resistance

BAND BAND BAND

Tolerance Nominal Measured value
Resistor 1 2 3
(%) value () ()
Color Color Color
R1
R2
R3
R4
TABLE 1

2. Referring to Figure 1 calculate RT,

IT, all voltage drops, and VA.
(voltage between point "A" and
ground). Enter into Table 2

3. Construct the circuit shown in

Figure 1 and measure the quantities
mentioned in step 1 above. Enter
into Table 2
 BAND 1 BAND 2
Resistor
Color Color
R1
R2
R3
R4
TABLE 1

Calculated Measured

4. Referring to Figure 2 above,

calculate REQ, IT, IR1, IR2,
IR3, and the currentbetween
points A and B./ Enter into table
3

5. Construct the circuit shown in

Figure 2 and measure the
quantities mentioned in step 4
above.. Enter into table 3

BAND 1 BAND 2
Resistor
Color Color
R1
R2
R3
R4
TABLE 1

Calculated Measured
6. Using the four resistors, create a circuit in series and parallel like the one in figure 3. Use 10
volts for the voltage source

7. Referring to Figure 3 calculate RT, IT, and the current and voltage through each resistor Design
and enter the calculated data into table 4

8. Construct the circuit shown in Figure 3 and measure the quantities mentioned in step 7 above..
Enter into table 3

NOTE: To use the Ammeter it is important to connect the device in series with the circuit at
the location the measure needs to be performed