EXPERIMENT 4
BASIC BUILDING CONCEPTS
Circuit: A closed conducting loop in which electric current flows continuously is called an electric circuit or
simple circuit.
Circuit diagram: The schematic representation
which shows the arrangement of different devices
Voltmeter
or components by using their electrical symbols is
called a circuit diagram.
Resistance 'R'
The following figure represents an electric circuit
having a cell, a resistance, a voltmeter, an ammeter
Current I
and a closed key.
Electric current: Amount of charge flowing through
a particular area in a unit time is called electric A Closed key
Ammeter Cell
current, i.e., the rate of flow of electric charge is
called electric current. Fig. Circuit Diagram
If net charge g flows across any cross-sectional area
in a time t, then the current flows through the conductor is
The SI unit of current is ampere(A). Flow of one coulomb of charge per second is called one ampere, i.e.
1A =1coulomb per second
Small units of current are
1mA = 103A (mA = milliampere)
1A = 10-$A (uA = microampere)
Direction of current: The charge carriers in metallic conductor are free electrons. The motion of these free
electrons in a particular direction constitutes an electric current. Conventionally, the direction of electric current
is taken as opposite to the direction of the flow of electrons.
In an electric circuit, the direction of conventional current is always taken from the positive terminal of the
cell/battery through the various components and then to the negative terminal.
Potential: The work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point in an electric field is
called potential at that point.
Potential difference: The potential difference between two points in an electric field or across the ends of
conductor is equal to the work done in bringing a charge from one point to another.
If Wis the work done in bringing a charge q from one point to another, then the potential difference between
these two points is given by
Work done (W)
V=
Charge (g)
The unit of work done is joule and that of charge is coulomb. Therefore, the unit of potential difference is
volt (V).
1joule (J) or 1 V= 1 JC-1
1volt = l coulomb (C)
Resistance: It is the characteristic property of a conducting wire which resists the flow of electric current
through it.
Experiments 41
From Ohm's law,
V= IR or
Thus, the ratio of potential difference to the current flowing through the conductor is equal to the
of the conductor.
The flow of electrons is retarded by the resistance of the conductor. It is expressed in
resistance
ohm().
One ohm is equal to the resistance of a conductor through which a current of one ampere flows
volt/ampere or
volt potential difference is applied across its ends. The resistance of a conductor depends on its ()whenlo eone
(i) cross-sectional area and (iüi) material of the conductor.
12 = 1 VA-1
DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS USED
Ammeter: It is a very low resistance device which is used to measure the strength of the current in a circuit
It is always connected in series in a circuit. It reads the current directly in ampere or fractions of an ambere
i.e., inmilliampere or micro ampere.
One sided deflection in the ammeter is to make it necessary
to mark the positive and negative sign of the terminal of
the ammeter. Accordingly, positive terminal of the ammeter
is always connected to the positive terminal of the cell/ A
battery eliminator (both are red) and negative terminal Fig. Series connection of ammeter and cell
to the negative terminal of the cel/battery eliminator in
the circuit.
A part of circuit having ammeter and cell is shown here:
Voltmeter: It is a very high resistance device which is
High potential Low potent1al used to measure the potential difference between two po:nts
end Voltmeter end in the circuit. It is always placed in parallel across the
R
ww B two points between which the potential difference is to be
measured. It is connected in such a way that the p0s1tie
marked terminal is connected to the high potential end
the conductor while the negative marked terminal to
low potential end of the conductor as
shown.
Fig. Parallel connection of voltmeter, resistance and cell
Sliding Rheostat: It is a device which is used as a current controller in the circuit by changing its resistances.
It is always placed in series with the circuit as shown here.
Variable To electrical
terminal circuit
A B - Terminal
Fixed Fixed
terminal terminal Rheostat
Fig. Rheostat
Fig. Rheostat circuit
42 Together witk Science Lab--10
AIM
Studying the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current ) passing
through it and determine its resistance. Also plotting a graph between V and I.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Nichrome or manganin wire, ammeter, voltmeter, battery eliminator, rheostat, one-way plug key and connecting
wires.
THEORY
strain, etc., remain the
Ohm's Law: If the physical conditions such as temperature, pressure. mechanical
potential difference (V) across
same, the current () flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the
the conductor. Mathematically,
Ic V V«I or V= IR or R-Y
the conductor to the flow of electric current.
The proportionality constant R is called the resistance offered by
conductor and the applied potential difference
If a graph is plotted between the current (I) flows through the
()between its ends, it will be a straight line as shown.
e( dweui)
V, V
V (in volts)
law
Fig. Graphical representation of Ohm's
difference across it
conductor increases linearly as the potential
The graph shows that the current through
increases.
Circuit Diagram
Rh
ww
R
Ohm's law
Fig. Circuit diagram for verification of
Experiments 43
Assembly Diagram
Battery off
eliminator
Rheostat
One-way
key
Ammeter
Voltmeter
Fig. Actual diagram showing setting of apparatus
PROCEDURE
1, Set up the circuit arrangement as shown in circuit diagram or
apparatus arrangement.
2. Note the least count of the ammeter and voltmeter.
3. Find, if any, zero error of the ammeter and voltmeter and record it in table A'.
4. Plug the key/switch on the battery eliminator and adjust the rheostat by sliding its variable terminal
till the ammeter and the voltmeter show a reading.
5. Note the readings of ammeter and voltmeter in table B. Take out the plug or switch off the
eliminator for a moment.
battery
6. Repeat the step 4 and 5 for the different values of current by varving the sliding terminal of
rhe0stat.
7. Tabulate all the observations in the observation table B for each set of
and find the ratio of
observations. Find the mean value of R.
8. Plot a graph by taking Ialong y-axis and V along x-axis or V
along x-axis and Ialong y-axis.
OBSERVATION TABLE
Table (A) for ammeter and voltmeter
Ammeter (A) Voltmeter ()
1 Range
2. Least count
3. Zero error (e)
4. Zero correction
I-e
V-e
44 7ogether wk Science Lab-10
Table (B) for reading of ammeter and voltmeter
[Link]. Voltmeter reading Ammeter reading
V (in volt) I(in ampere)
(in ohm, )
1
4
5
Mean value of R = tk,+k,+R, +R, =...ee..
5
amperes ifference
in
(I)
Current
Potential Difference (V ) in volts
Current I(Amp.)
Fig. Graph between potential difference and current
CALCULATION
observation.
1. Find the ratio of V and I for each corrected set of
Mean value of R=
2. Plot the graph between the potential difference V along x-axis and the current T along y-axis for LV
graph as shown or V on y-axis and on x-axis.
3. Find the slope of line.
(i) For -V graph,
Slope of line AB=:BC L2-1 (Conductance)
AC V,-V 1
.. Resistance of nichrome (or manganin) wire = slope of line AB
(ü) For V-I graph,
Slope of line AB =
BC V-VË =Resistance of nichrome (or manganin) wire =
AC I,-1
RESULT
1. [Link] nature of the 1-V graph or V-I graph shows that potential difference across the conductor is
directly nroportional to the current flowing through it, i.e., Vc I. This proves the Ohm's law graphically.
Experiments 45
2. The resistance of nichrome or manganin) wire obtained from the graph 1s equal (or approximately e.,
to the mean calculated value of R. It also verifies the Ohm's law.
3. The resistance of the
given wire =
PRECAUTIONS
1. The ends of connecting wire should be neat and clean.
2. All connections should be kept tight.
3. Positive terminal of ammeter or voltmeter should be connected to positive
battery eliminator. terminal of the battery
4. The ends of resistance wire must be connected across the terminals of voltmeter.
5. Never allow the current to flow in the resistance wire for a
as R o T. longer time to avoid heating efrect of current
6. Range of voltmeter should be greater than the
7. A low resistance ranged
applied voltage.
rheostat must be used.
8. The area of cross-section of the connecting wire
should be more because it offers negligible resistance
SOURCE OF ERROR
1. Reading error may be possible while observing the pointer of
ammeter and voltmeter.
2. Thick connecting wires may not be available at the timne of
3. Area of cross-section of resistance wire mnay not be
performing the experiment.
uniform across the length of wire.
4. There may be the use of a high
resistance rheostat.
5. Current may be allowed for a longer
period of time.
6. The terminal serew of the
instrument may not be tightened properly.
INTERACTIVE SESSION
Examiner Which basic law of electricity is verified by you from
Examinee Ohm's law.
this experiment?
Examiner State Ohm's law.
Examinee - If physical conditions such as temperature, pressure etc.,
renmain the same, the current
through the conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference applied acrossflowing
it.
Examiner - In which unit current is measured?
Examinee It is mneasured in amperes.
Examiner What are the most essential
Examinee (i) There must be a closed
conditions for current flow through the conductor?
circuit and ( )source of electrical energv.
Examiner Which physical quantity is represented by the ratio of
V and T?
Examinee The ratio of V and I
represents the resistance of the conductor, i.e.
Examiner What is the SI unit of resistance? R
Examinee The SI unit of resistance is ohm (Q).
1Q= 1 volt/ampere.
Examiner Why is it advised that never
allow the current to flow for a long
Examinee To avoid heating effect of time in a resistance w
be heated up which leads current. As per Joule's law of
to increase its heating effect, (H = PRt) the wire will
resistance.
Examiner What do you mean by resistance of a
Examinee The obstruction offered by the
conductor?
resistance. conductor tothe flow of electric
current
called
it is
througn
46 Together witk Science Lab-10