Everyone,

This is an example of a lab report. All of these sections are not necessarily part of the same
experiment but are to show you what each section should generally be similar to. DO NOT
PLAGARIZE. You may rewrite or paraphrase but do not cite this paper or copy from it
directly if it relates to your experiment. Some items in this are from different experiments
and are also fabricated. Remember; do not reference anything from the lab manual. Do not
in any place of your lab report write data sheet A; refer to data sheet B; write down all of
the measured data on data sheet B; set up the experiment according to diagram on page
1.1.3 etc. This is a completely independent document and the only information you should
be referencing is from a page you wrote yourself. There are several examples of things to
expect throughout the lab report and not everything you might have to do is covered.
Remember if anything is unclear or you need help with your lab report contact me via email
and/or show up to office hours. Dont forget to initial each section you either complete or
contribute to so that I know everyone is doing their share of work.

Thanks,
Nick Miller










Introduction/Theory:

The phenomena discussed in the experiment are the Kirchoffs Laws and equivalent
resistances. The purpose is essentially to explore the behavior of current and voltage when
traveling through a circuit containing nodes, resistors, multi-meters and a power source.
Kirchoffs Laws can then be applied to understand the effects within the parallel and series
circuits. The experiment will assist in understanding the formulas associated with the laws
and how it helps understand the behavior of current and voltage within the two types of
circuits that have resistance placed in series or parallel.
Kirchoffs Voltage Law states that around any closed loop in a circuit, the algebraic sum
of all potential changes must equal zero. Also, the available energy is conserved in any closed
circuit loop. While Kirchoffs Current Law states that the algebraic sum of the currents at a
branch point equals zero. Also, the amount of electric charge in a closed circuit is conserved
constantas current moves through the wires.
The two Kirchoffs Laws have formulas which determine the behavior of the voltage
and current within a circuit.

Equation 1 represents Kirchoffs Current Law and equation 2 is Kirchoffs Voltage Law. The
idea of conservation indicates no charge or energy is gained or lost within the process.



Procedure:
Materials needed for the experiment are a Digital Multi-Meter (DMM), a handheld
Multi-Meter, 4 resistors (30, 50, 500, 1200 ohms), a power supply that produces a Direct
Current (DC) voltage, and various leads.
Before starting the experiment, the group must understand that the handheld multi-meter
and DMM must be turned on first before the power source. Also, before taking the circuit apart
or together, power source must be turned off. These regulations are important in maintaining
the laboratory equipment in good shape.
In the first section of the experiment, use the handheld multi-meter to measure the first
two resistors (30 ohm and 50 ohm) to obtain their exact resistances. Using the measured
resistances calculate the percentage error of the resistors. It is important to note that the measured
resistances are more accurate and should be used for all calculations. These resistors must be
put in series to make a series circuit. It is imperative for this section that the supply voltage is
altered so that the current reading of the ammeter is at about 100 mA. To record the voltage,
the multi-meter must be set in parallel to the resistor being observed. On the other hand, to
record the current, the multi-meter must be in series with the resistor or object being observed.
The group must record all important voltage drops and current readings accordingly. Set up the
circuit as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1 - Experimental setup of resistors and power sources.
Measure the voltages across all of the resistors and measure the current at each intersection
between the resistors and power sources.
The second section of the experiment was to use the handheld multi-meter to measure the
last two resistors used in the experiment (500 ohm and 1200 ohm) to obtain the exact resistance.
Follow the same procedure as used in the first part of the experiment but with the two larger
resistors. Make sure to measure the necessary voltage drops and current needed to complete
your calculations. Percentage error and uncertainties must also be calculated.

Data:

Table 1: Data from part 1 of experiment
Given () Measured () Percent Error - See
Calculations
Resistor 1 100 112 10.7%
Resistor 2 300 290 3.5%
Resistor 3 500 530 5.7%

Table 2: Data from part 2 of experiment
Measured Voltage
(mV)
See Calculations
(V)
Measured
Current (mA)
See Calculations
(A)
@ resistor 1 150 0.150 0.05 0.00005
@ resistor 2 70 0.070 0.10 0.00010
@ resistor 3 15 0.015 0.50 0.00050



Figure 2 Sinusoidal waves shown on oscilloscope using 1.5 V source.
0.5 Volt/Div setting and 1 ms Time/Div setting used.


Figure 3 - Plotted discharge of capacitor in section 2 of
experiment using measured voltage and time from data table 3.


Calculations:

1 A = 1000 mA (0.05 mA)/1000 = 0.00005 A
1 V = 1000 mV (150 mV)/1000 = 0.150 V
1000 = 1 K

Percentage Error:

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Results/Analysis:

The coordinates recorded will form the equipotential lines that determine a
gravitational sense of where charges are held. It can be recognized that the distribution of
voltage strength is spaced out according to the equipotential lines. The electric field lines can
be inferred from the equipotential lines because the directions of the lines are perpendicular to
each other. The reasoning behind the lines being perpendicular was that a positively charged
particle moving to negatively charged particle must go through a decreasing potential
difference. For example, an electric field line goes from a 2.50 V equipotential line to a 2.00 V
line in order and does not jump around voltage strengths to get to the desired location.
In comparison, the bar electrodes and circular electrodes are extremely similar. Though the
circular electrodes have much more noticeable curves, the bar electrodes also curve. But
because the bar electrode is rectangular, there are no curves in the middle since the voltage
pulse in the middle starts out parallel from the bar. Otherwise, the electric fields act similar
between both bar and circular electrodes.
Also, according to the electric force equation, a negative charge would cause a negative
force. This is reasonable because an electron pulls which is a negative movement compared to
pushing which is positive.
The falstad.com applet recognized that a 2D field is similar to a 3D field in a way that a
2D field can be rotated along the symmetry and imagined to have similar fields as 3D field
models because it has the same concepts just one less dimension.
A possible error that could have affected the experiment was the inaccuracy of probing
around the carbon paper pad. Readings may not have been always exact such as recording
values for a 1.50 V with a 1.4909 V. The wear and tear on the pad could have also caused
inaccuracies on the reading.

Conclusion:
Ultimately, the basic circuit explains that there is a direct relationship between nodes
where currents converge which supports the idea of Kirchhoffs Current Law. The results
also give evidence that Kirchhoffs Voltage Law is true through the behavior of potential
changes between resistors. With the use of Ohms Law and the use of Kirchhoffs Laws
formulas, Kirchhoffs Laws are proven to be true within the experiment.
The significance of the experiment is that the clear evidence provided between the
relationships between current and voltage, and current and resistance can support in
understanding how Kirchhoffs Law can be used to predict a behavior of a built circuit.
Engineers who deal with electricity must understand how electricity behaves showing,
significantly, the value of knowing Kirchhoffs Laws.