Physics 272 – Lab 8

Circuit Elements: Resistors

Learning Goals
After completing this activity, you should be able to:
 To find the current in a circuit of resistors using Ohm’s Law
 To connect circuits of resistors in parallel, series, and mixed
 ON THE DISCUSSION BOARD: Learn to communicate your ideas with your team
members through the discussion board, share data, and your analysis of the
data, including the rationale for any predictions you may make.

Equipment Needed
iOLab kit, resistors, wires, breadboard

Circuits Basics

Breadboard
To familiarize with the breadboard and building circuits, go to the next link to learn how
to use the breadboard: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_m5jtxyj8

Voltages
You can produce voltages through the iOLab kid. To know how to do that, you can see
the next video: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_ftu7vn5i

Resistor Color Code

In the iOLab E&G kit that you bought for this course, you will find different resistors. You
can learn how to identify their values watching the following video:
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_hnp99ipq

Experiment (Finding currents)

Series Circuits
Build on the breadboard a circuit of three resistors in series (each resistor must be
different in value (different ohms)). The figure below shows an example.

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NOTE: if you have problems trying to poke the resistor into the breadboard because the
holes seem to be too small, use the pin in the alligator clips wires such that you can
enlarge those holes. See the picture below.

In the circuit of the three resistors in series you built above, connect and adjust the
iOLab DAC to produce a voltage of 3.3 V. Use the Analog 7 probe (A7) to measure the
voltage relative to the ground on each resistor, such that you can find the voltage
(potential difference) through each resistor. To do that, follow the next steps:
Build the circuit
 Connect one of the extremes of the resistors in series to the DAC hole in the
iOLab cart.
 Connect the other extreme of the series circuit to one of the GND holes in the
iOLab cart. (The circuit is closed now)
 Connect the Analogue 7 probe of voltage (A7) to each one of the resistors (one
per time), starting with the first resistor relative to the GND connection. That
means, connect that resistor to the A7 probe in the iOLab cart, but make sure
that is not the leg not connected to the GND. See the figure below to know how
the circuit looks

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Page 3 of 19
Measuring the voltage
To measure the voltage, follow the next steps:
1. Make sure the circuit is well connected
2. Open the iOLab application, and adjust it to use the DAC output generating a
voltage of 3.3 V
3. Select the Analog 7 sensor in the iOLab application (a graph of voltage vs. time
must appear in the iOLab application)
4. Make sure the DAC output is turned off in the iOLab application
5. Turn on the iOLab device (Cart)
6. Start to record data (must be showing a voltage equal to zero in the graph)
7. Turn on the DAC output in the iOLab application (a voltage different to zero
appears in the graph)

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 8. Turn off the DAC output in the iOLab application (the voltage is zero again in the
graph)
9. Stop of recording data (the Record button is labeled now Continue)
NOTE: make sure you follow steps 6 to 9 rapidly to avoid draining the iOLab device's
batteries.

From steps 1 to 9, you have measured the potential difference through the first resistor
(relative to the GND connection) in your series circuit. That potential difference is
relative to the ground (GND). The graph below is an example of that kind of signal.

Q1: Write the value (ohms) of the first resistor in your series circuit, relative to the
GND connection, and the potential difference through it relative to the GND?
1 kilo-ohm is the resistance of the first resistor and the potential difference is 0.226 V.
Next, you need to measure the potential difference through the second resistor (relative
to the GND connection). To do that, you need to measure the potential difference
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through the first and second resistors together (relative to the GND connection), and
then subtract, from that result, the potential difference through the first resistor that
you already measured in Q1. The figure below shows the circuit.
Once you have the circuit ready, measure the potential difference through the first and
second resistors relative to the GND connection. Follow steps 6 to 9 above, starting to
record data by clicking on the button Record, which was left labeled as Continue after
measuring potential difference through the first resistor. Remember to follow those
steps 6 to 9 very quickly to avoid draining the iOLab device's batteries.

Q2: Write the potential difference through the first and second resistors together
(relative to the GND connection), the value (ohms) of your second resistor, and the
potential difference through the second resistor relative to the GND connection.

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4.77 kilo-ohms is the resistance of the second resistor and the potential difference of it
is 1.104.

Q3: Write the potential difference through your three resistors (together) in your
circuit, the value (in ohms) of your third resistor, and the potential difference through
it. Show your calculation.
The potential difference through the three resistors is 1.785, 1.96 kilo-ohms is the
resistance of the third resistor and the potential difference across it is 0.455 kilo-ohms.

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Q4: Use the Ohm’s Law and the voltages (potential difference) you found to calculate
the current through each resistor. Make a chart with the values of resistors, voltages,
and currents through them. Show clearly your calculations.
Resistor (kilo-ohms) Voltage (V) Current (A) [V/R] (resistor
in ohms and not kiloohms)
4.77 1.104 0.000231
1.96 0.455 0.000232
1 0.226 0.000226

Parallel Circuits
Build on the breadboard a circuit of two resistors in parallel.
In your parallel circuit of two resistors, you built, connect, and adjust the iOLab DAC to
produce a voltage of 3.3 V. Use the Analog 7 probe (A7) to measure the voltage relative

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to the ground on each resistor, such that you can find the voltage through each resistor.
Remember, you can turn on/off the DAC to avoid draining the iOLab device's batteries.

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Q5: In the parallel circuit, use the Ohm’s Law and the resistors' voltages to find the
current through them. Make a chart with the values of resistors, voltages, and
currents through the resistors. Show clearly your calculations.
Resistor (kilo-ohms) Voltage (V) Current (A) [V/R] (resistor
in ohms and not kiloohms)
4.63 0.252 0.000054428
1.96 1.53 0.000780612

Q6: Calculate the total equivalent resistance in the parallel circuit and find the current
through the ‘equivalent’ resistor in the parallel circuit. Show clearly your calculations.
Equivalent resistance is 6.59. Equivalent resistance in a parallel circuit is 1/Req = 1/R1
+ 1/R2.
Q7: Based on the results so far, what are the differences between parallel and series
circuits, regarding the voltage and current?
The differences between parallel and series circuits are that series circuits have a
common current, whereas parallel circuits have a common voltage difference; that
parallel circuits divide their net current between resistors, whereas series circuits
divide their net voltages between resistors; and that resistance values add in series to
obtain the equivalent resistance, whereas in parallel, their inverses add to obtain the
inverse of the equivalent resistance.

Blended Circuits Parallel and series

Build on the breadboard a blended circuit of one of either (a) two in series and one in
parallel with them (b) two in parallel and one in series with them.
In the blended circuit, connect it to the iOLab device adjusted to an output of 3.3 V in
the DAC. But do not measure any voltage yet.

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Q8: Predict what must be the voltage and current through each resistor in your circuit.
Draw a diagram of your circuit, showing there the results of your predictions. Show
clearly all your calculations.
3.3 V
I= ( across 4.63 kiloohm resistor ∧Req )
5.291016949kiloohm
I =0.000623699 Amps
V across 4.63 resistor =0.000623699∗( 4E3 ohms )=2.494796 V
V across Req resistor=0.000623699∗( 2.95E3 ohms )=1.83991205 V
V across Req resistor is the same voltage across the 1.95∧1 kiloohm resistors .
1.83991205
I across the1.95 kiloohm resistor = =0.000943545 Amps
1.95E3
1.83991205
I across the1 kiloohm resistor = =0.001839912 Amps
1E3

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 Resistor (kilo-ohms) Voltage (V) Current (A) [V/R] (resistor
in ohms and not kiloohms)
4.63 0.219 0.0000473
1.95 1.563 0.000801538
1 1.563 0.001563
**The voltage across the 1 and 1.95 kiloohm resistor is the same because these 2 are
in parallel, and in parallel circuits voltage is the same across each resistor. **
Q9: After comparing your predictions and experimental results, how were the
discrepancies? What do you think are the reasons for those discrepancies?
Well as the video below explains, there’s tolerance to each resistor, so this can be why
the values found through the experiment and through theory are either WAYYY off or
slightly off.
See the video: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_hnp99ipq
Q10: Based on the video above and the tolerance of your resistors, try to justify the
discrepancies between your predictions (in Q8) and the experimental results. Show
clearly your calculations.
The tolerance for all resistors is +/- 5%(J), and tolerance being the maximum
difference between the actual value and the required value, there’s going to be some
discrepancies when it comes to the current or voltage across each resistor. Due to that
factor, my values had a rather high percent error. The 5% tolerance means that there’s
going to be a pretty low precision for the lower the tolerance percentage is, the higher
the precision in your measurements.

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All of the resistors had a tolerance band of plus-or-minus 5%, so that range of values
could satisfy the measured values of the circuit. All three resistors have a 5%
tolerance. Error likely due to rounding.

Discussion Board
Lab 08

 
Michael Srinivasan posted Oct 16, 2020 11:42 AM
 
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This lab was not a very hard one to follow. It just required
the continual reconfiguration of a set of resistors and
voltage measurements across one or two. The point of this
lab is to identify how resistors add in series to find the
equivalent resistance and how they have their inverses
added to find the inverse of the equivalent resistance in
parallel. Ohm's Law will also apply. Should not be too
terrible. 

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Michael Srinivasan
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Phys272-Lab08-F20-Srinivasan.docx
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Michael Srinivasan
4 hours ago
3) Series circuits have the same current running
throughout the circuit and have their resistances add
to form one equivalent resistance. The voltage
difference across each resistor is equal to the
individual resistance multiplied by the net voltage
difference divided by the equivalent resistance. 

7) The differences between parallel and series circuits

are that series circuits have a common current,
whereas parallel circuits have a common voltage
difference; that parallel circuits divide their net current

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 between resistors, whereas series circuits divide their
net voltages between resistors; and that resistance
values add in series to obtain the equivalent
resistance, whereas in parallel, their inverses add to
obtain the inverse of the equivalent resistance.

10) The discrepancies between the predictions and the

measured values were limited, but the fact that the
measured voltage through the parallel resistors was
1.301 V instead of 1.3 V could be explained by either
rounding errors in the iOLab or the resistors’ tolerance
bands. All of the resistors had a tolerance band of
plus-or-minus 5%, so that range of values could
satisfy the measured values of the circuit.

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Michael Curry
7 minutes ago
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Your values/work look good, and good job on the

explanations!

LAB

 
Mary Vaughan posted Oct 13, 2020 1:35 PM
 

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This lab looks like it will involve finding current through
resistors and using a breadboard. 

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Mary Vaughan
October 13 at 3:25 PM
Discussion:

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 Current through resistors in series will be identical for
each resistor, these experimental values proved such
surprisingly well.

Parallel circuits divided the current based on the ratio

of the resistors, such that the current over the
equivalent resistance I the sum of that of the current
over each resistor.

All three resistors have a 5% tolerance. Error likely due

to rounding. 

o Phys272-Lab08-F20-Final6_Vaughan.pdf
(1,015.96 KB)
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Michael Srinivasan
4 hours ago
All of your measurements and calculations look good.
Great job on your explanations. Good work!

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Michael Curry
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I agree on with Michael! :) Keep up da good work.

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Lab 8 Discussion

 
Ben Brown posted Oct 16, 2020 11:01 AM
 
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After looking at this lab it seems very simple, especially
because we've extensively covered these topics in ECE for
months now. I don't think we'll have any problems.

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Ben Brown
Fri at 5:04 PM
My lab is attached below. I didn't have any troubles
other than finding the resistor values for some reason,
but other than that it was pretty simple.

o Phys272-Lab08-F20-Final6.docx
(3.17 MB)
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Mary Vaughan
Fri at 10:48 PM
Looks good.

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Michael Curry
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Everything looks up to part!

AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR LAB, SAVE YOUR WORD FILE AS PDF
AND UPLOAD IT USING THE LINK OF BRIGHTSPACE.

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