Engr 111 B1

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University
Department of
ENGR 111-B1 Laboratory: Resistors and Ohms Law
Group








Written by:
December 1, 2012

Instructor:
Dr.
Proctor:
Dr.

Lab Partner:

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Abstract
There were two objectives for this lab experiment. The first was to determine the
resistance of a resistor using four different methods: color code, ohmmeter, the average of ten
voltage & current measurements, and the linear correlation between the voltage & current
1
. The
second objective was to verify Ohms Law. During the testing of the resistor, varying increments
of voltage were passed through a circuit that consisted of a 10,000 Ohm resistor, an ammeter,
and a power supply. This led to the finding that the resistance of the resistor was within the
500 tolerance that the resister indicated. The test also led to the conclusion that Ohms Law
satisfies the properties of a linear system.

Introduction
The properties of resistors and Ohms Law are one of the many areas studied by
Electrical Engineers. This area deals with the properties of electrical circuits, resistance, current,
and voltage. In general, resistors and Ohms Law impact almost every aspect of a persons life.
Resistors are in almost every conceivable electronic device, and all aspects of electricity follow
Ohms law. In the lab experiment, an analysis of resistance was made for a 10,000 Ohm resister.
In order to measure the resistance of the circuit, 1 through 10 volts of electricity were passed
through the circuit. At each whole number interval, the current was measured using an ammeter.
The resistance was also predicted using the coloration of the resister, an Excel spreadsheet, and
by using an Ohmmeter to measure resistance. The overall goal of the lab was to verify Ohms
law and to determine the true resistive value of the 10,000 resister.




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Materials and Methods

Materials
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The equipment used in the experiment consisted of a 10,000 resister, a PS280 DC
power supply, and a CDM 250 Digital Multi Meter.


The above table lists the manufacturer, part number, serial number, and calibration date for the
equipment used. A blank electronic prototyping board was also used.

Experimental Details - Procedures
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This experiment consisted of 3 separate stages. The first was to calculate the nominal value of R
for the chosen 10K resistor. To do this, each colored band of the resistor was compared with a
reference table. The first and second colored band represented a number, the third represented a
multiplier for the number, and the fourth represented the tolerance for the resistor. The second
stage of the experiment was to measure the resistance using a Digital Multi Meter. The resistor
was inserted into the test leads, and the selections of DC, Ohms, and an appropriate
resistance scale were made on the DMM switchboard. The third stage of the experiment was to
measure the current across the resistor over a range of one to ten volts. To do this, a circuit was
constructed as shown in the below diagram.
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Figure 1 Connection Schematic





The PS280 DC power supply was first turned on then set to the initial applied voltage value
(V
IN
) of 1 volt. The voltage was then increased to 10 volts in steps of one volt. At each step, the
current (I
R
) was recorded. The value of the resistance R was calculated by using Ohms Law
for each reading.

Results
Table 2 Resistance Values for R
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Table 2 illustrates the resistance values that were calculated during all three experimental stages.
R
NOM
was determined to be 10,000 based on the brown, black, orange, and gold bands on the
resister. The brown band signified a one and the black band a two. The orange represented a 10
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multiplier for the value of 10 given by the brown and black resistor bands. The gold band
specified a 5.00% tolerance on the resister. It was concluded through all the experimentation
that the resistance did not fall below or exceed the 500 tolerance. Measuring the resistance
with the DMM yielded a resistance value of 9,870. The resistances calculated during the third
stage of the experiment all ranged from 9,852 10,000. When averaged, these gave the R
AVE
value of 9,945. Each of the measured values was then plotted in an Excel document, yielding
the figure below:
Figure 2 Volts vs. Measured Current for the 10K Resistor


The trend line that was plotted through the points yields an equation of y=9.9632x. The slope
value of 9.632 yields the value of 9,9632 for the resistance value of the resistor. This is due to
the trend line representing the linear progression of the resistor over a range of voltages. This is
also supportive of the fact that Ohms Law is a linear system. This is due to the homogeneity and
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scaling principle that states that as the input of a system is scaled up, the output is scaled up as
well.
Discussion

This experiment was performed to determine the resistance of a given resistor using four
separate methods, and also to verify Ohms Law. By analyzing the results, it is very clear that the
selected 10,000 resistor was well within its declared 5.00% tolerance. The results showed
even greater performance, with a tolerance of -1.48%. This means that the resistive quality of the
resistor never dropped more than 148 below the theoretical value of 10,000. Based on the
gathered results in Table 2 and the experimental data, the method of linear correlation between
the voltage and current seems to be the most accurate way to determine the true value of a
resistor. This is because the correlation is a linear system that consists of variations of real world
numbers and evidence. It is not a theoretical value, nor is it a single trial value.
Figure 2 also demonstrates that a resistor is a linear device, which correlates with Ohms
Law. The law states that the current passing through a resistor is in direct proportion to the
voltage passed through the resister. This testing of values and measuring of voltage and current
also validates and verifies Ohms Law for the same aforementioned reason.
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References

1
ENGR 111 Laboratory: Resistors & Ohms Law. N.d. Department of Electrical Engineering.
Widener University, Chester.
3
ENGR 111 ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES. N.d. Laboratory Report Guidelines. Widener
University, Chester.