Study of Ohm’s law

and Current Divider

Tan Yi Teik (6AS3)
Neoh Sing Shi (6AS3)
Loo Tai Jiang (6AS3)
 INTRODUCTION
Ohm’s Law states that the potential difference, V, is directly proportional to the current across the resistor.The equation of Ohm’ law can be
written as

V=IR

Where V= Voltage

I= Current

R=resistance

The current division rule states that the current in any of the parallel branches of a parallel circuit is equal to the ratio of opposite branch
resistance to the sum of all resistances, multiplied by the total current.

IX=Current
Rx=Resistor
RT=Total resistance
IT= total current entering the combined network of R(X) in parallel with R(T)
 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1. Does the current in the circuit is directly proportional to the
voltage across the circuit?

2. Does the formula of current divider can be used to determine

the current in each resistor in parallel circuit?
 OBJECTIVE
1. To prove ohm’s law.

2. To determine the current in each resistor in parallel circuit

and compare it with current divider.
 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
1. 220 Ω Resistor

2. 1000 Ω Resistor

3. Multimeter

4. Connecting Wires

5. DC Supply

6. Breadboard
 PROCEDURE
Part 1
1. The circuit is set up as shown in figure 1 on breadboard.

Figure 1

2. The voltage of power supply is adjusted to 4V.

3. 1000 Ω of resistor, R is used for the resistors in the diagram above
4. The current across each resistor is measured by using multimeter.
5. The current across each resistor is recorded.
6. The experiment is repeated using 5V to 9V respectively in series connection.
7. Current flow through each resistor I1 , I2 , I3 and the voltage used is tabulated.
8. The average current across the circuit is calculated and recorded.
9. Graph I against V is plotted.
10. Gradient of the graph is calculated.
 Part 2

1. The circuit is set up as shown in figure 2 below on breadboard.

Figure 2

2. The voltage of power supply is adjusted to 3V.

3. 220Ω resistor is used for R1 and R3 and 1000Ω resistor is used for R2.

4. The current across each resistor is measured by using multimeter.

5. The current across resistor and the resistance of each resistor is recorded.

6. The experiment is repeated using 4V,5V and 6 V respectively in parallel circuit.

7. The current across each resistor and the voltage used is tabulated.
Results and Observation
Part 1:
R1=1000 Ω R2=1000 Ω R3=1000 Ω
(V±0.1) V (I1±0.01) mA (I2±0.01) mA (I3±0.01) mA Average Current/
mA

4.0 1.33 1.46 1.34 1.38

5.0 1.47 1.77 1.76 1.67

6.0 2.01 1.99 2.02 2.01

7.0 2.36 2.26 2.27 2.30

8.0 2.72 2.59 2.61 2.64

9.0 2.96 3.18 2.99 3.04

 Gradient,m =

R=

=3003 Ω

Total R = 1000 + 1000 +1000

= 3000 Ω
Since I is directly propotional to V. Hence it obeys
Percentage error =
ohm’s law.

Gradient, m = = 0.1%

=
Part 2:
R1=220 Ω R2=1000 Ω R3=220 Ω

Voltage/V (I1 ± 0.01)/mA (I2 ± 0.01)/mA (I3 ± 0.01) / mA ITotal /mA

3 15.31 3.37 15.31 33.99

4 20.01 4.43 20.01 44.45

5 23.25 5.04 23.25 51.54

6 28.15 6.09 28.15 62.39

7 30.65 6.62 30.65 67.92

8 35.51 7.67 35.51 78.69

For 3 V:
I1 = Itotal I2 = Itotal
= x 33.9 = 33.99
= × 33.99 = × 33.99
= 15.31 mA = 3.37mA

For 4 V:
I1= ITotal I2 = ITotal
= 44.45 = 44.45
= 44.45 = × 44.45
= 20.02 mA = 4.40 mA
Percentage error Percentage error
=% = × 100%
=0.05% = 0.68%
For 5 V:
I1= ITotal I2 = ITotal
= 51.54 = 51.54
= 51.54 = × 51.54
= 23.22 mA = 5.11 mA
Percentage error = ×100% Percentage error = ×100%
= 0.13% = 1.3%
For 6 V:
I1= ITotal
= 62.39
I2 = ITotal
= 62.39
= 28.10 mA = 62.39
Percentage error = × 62.39
= ×100% = 6.18 mA
= 0.18% Percentage error = ×100%
= 0.01%
 For 7 V :
I1= ITotal I2 = ITotal
= 67.92 = 67.92
= 67.92 = × 67.92
= 30.59 mA = 6.73 mA
Percentage error = ×100% Percentage error = ×100%
= 0.20% = 1.6%
For 8 V :
I1= ITotal I2 = ITotal
= 78.69 = 78.69
= 78.69 = × 78.69
= 35.45 mA = 7.80 mA
Percentage error Percentage error = ×100%
= ×100% = 1.67%
= 0.17%

As shown above the calculated value by using current divider formula are not exactly the same as the measured value of the current.
 DISSCUSION
1. All connection of wire must be connected tightly in order to get more accurate
results.
2. Reduce the number of wires used so that the heat dissipated is reduced in order
to get more accurate results.
3. Make sure the voltage in the circuit are not too large because the resistor will
spoil when the voltage are too large.
4. The calculated value and the measured value are different due to measurement
used may have uncertainty and the heat may dissipated through the wire.
5. Keep electronic devices away from the multimeter to get a more accurate
result.
 CONCLUSION
Based on the data collected, the graph plotted prove that the
voltage, V directly proportional to the current, I. When
voltage in the circuit increase, current increase. Hence,
Ohm’s law is obeyed. By using current divider formula, the
calculated value and the measured value of the current are
not exactly the same.
Thank You ! !