Class Group: PI080S06

Lab Group’s No: Group 6

CENTRE OF FOUNDATION
STUDIES
FOUNDATION PHYSICS II
LABORATORY REPORT

Experiment Electrical Resistance in Series and Parallel

Lab Instructor’s Name Madam Nor Faridah Hanim Bt Mat Junit

Date of Experiment 13th March 2023

Member 1 Siti Nur Amirah Bte Arifin (2022876902)

Member 2 Siti Nurul Iman Bte Suhaimi (2022875378)

Member 3 Syasya Izzati Bte Zulkifli (2022877238)

Member 4 Wan Aleeya Maisara Bte Wan Ghazali (2022603838)

Marks

Comment
ABSTRACT

The purposes of this experiment are to determine the equivalent resistance for resistors
connected in series and parallel. The experiment was performed with different of voltage
from the power supply and the voltage and the current from the digital multi-meter were
V
measured. The resistance of both circuits was then calculated by using the formula, R=
I

INTRODUCTION

In our daily life we electronic product that only be function when there is a complete electric
circuit for transmitting electric current. There are two types of electric circuit which is
parallel and series circuit Some of the electric circuit component is wire, battery and resistor.
As we know, resistors are an electrical component that creates resistance in the flow of
electric current and is measured in unit ohm (Ω). An ohm is the resistance that occurs when a
current of one ampere (A) passes through a resistor with a one volt (V) drop across its
terminals. Resistant can be defined by using Ohm’s Law that showing the current is
proportional to the voltage across the two points;

V
R=
I

Resistors can be connected in series and in parallel. For series circuit, the current flowing
through each resistor is the same (I=I1=I2=I3) while the voltage across the battery is the same
to the sum of the sum of the voltage across the resistors (V=V 1+V2+V3) and resistance
obtained by (R = R1 + R2+ R3 ¿ . For a parallel circuit, the sum of current leaving a junction is
equal to the sum of current entering the junction is equal to the sum of current entering a
junction (I=I1+I2+I3) while the voltage across the battery is the same as the voltage across
1 1 1 1
each resistor (V=V1=V2=V3) and the resistance obtained by ( = + + ¿.
R R 1 R 2 R3

The magnitude of current in a circuit containing resistors connected in series is smaller than
the magnitude of current in a circuit containing resistors connected in parallel. This is
because resistance is inversely proportional to the current. Resistance connected in parallel
has a greater flow of current than resistance connected in series. Therefore, the resistance in a
circuit parallel is smaller than the resistance in a circuit series.
METHODOLOGY

Firstly, the circuit containing digital multi-meter, DC power supply, connecting wires was set up in
series circuit by connecting the resistors (R 1, R2, R3) in series. The power supply voltage was set to
2V. The voltage and the current from the digital multi-meter were recorded in a table. The experiment
then repeated with different voltage from the power supply which were 4.0V, 6.0V, 8.0V and 10V.
graph of V vs I was plotted according to the ohm’s law. After that, the circuit then was set up in
parallel by connecting the resistors (R 1, R2, R3) in parallel. The power supply voltage was set up to
2V. The voltage and the current from the digital multi-meter were recorded in a table. The experiment
also was repeated with voltage of 4.0V, 6.0V, 8.0V and 10.0V from the power supply. The graph of V
vs I was plotted.
RESULT AND ANALYSIS

Series circuit

Voltage of Voltage, V Current, I (A) Resistance,

power (V) R (Ω)
supply, (V) I II III Average

2.0 2.12 0.00814 0.00814 0.00814 0.00814 260.44

4.0 3.81 0.0146 0.0146 0.0146 0.0146 260.96

6.0 5.53 0.0221 0.0221 0.0221 0.0221 250.23

8.0 7.50 0.0300 0.0300 0.0300 0.0300 250.00

10.0 9.50 0.0381 0.0381 0.0381 0.0381 249.34

Table 1: Data and results of series circuit

Parallel circuit

Voltage of Voltage, V Current, I (A) Resistance,

power (V) R (Ω)
supply, (V) I II III Average

2.0 2.0 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 25.00

4.0 3.69 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 26.36

6.0 5.42 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.21 25.81

8.0 7.40 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29 25.52

10.0 9.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 24.68

Table 2: Data and results of parallel circuit

ANALYSIS (GRAPH)

SERIES

Current, I vs Voltage, V
0.045

0.040

0.035

0.030

0.025
Current, I

0.020

0.015

0.010

0.005

0.000
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Voltage, V

PARALLEL

Current, I vs Voltage, V
0.40

0.35

0.30

0.25
Current, I

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Voltage, V
ANALYSIS (CALCULATION)

For series circuit:

Resistance theory:

R1 + R2 +R3

Req = 100.00 + 91.00 + 62.00

Req = 253.00Ω

Resistance from graph:

1 −3
Gradient= =4.06 × 10
R

R = 246.31 Ω

Actual value− Experimental value

Percentage error = × 100 %
Actual value

253.00−246.3 1
¿ ×100 %
253.00

¿ 2.6 3 %

1 st value−2 nd value
Percentage difference= ×100 %
(1 st value+ 2nd value)/2

253.00−246.31
Percentage difference= ×100 %
( 253.00+246.3 1 ) /2

¿ 2.67 %
For parallel circuit:

Resistance theory:

1 1 1
( + + )
R 1 R 2 R3

1 1 1
=( + + )
100.00 62.00 91.00

1
= 0.037Ω
R eq

Req =27.03Ω

Resistance from graph:

1
Gradient = =¿ 0.041 Ω
R

R=24.6 0Ω

Actual value− Experimental value

Percentage error = × 100 %
Actual value

27.03−24.60
¿ × 100 %
27.03

¿ 9.00 %

1 st value−2 nd value
Percentage difference= ×100 %
(1 st value+ 2nd value)/2

27.03−24.60
¿ ×100 %
(27.03+24.60)/2

¿ 9.41 %
DISCUSSION

This experiment was conducted by connecting 3 resistors ( R1 , R 2 , R 3 ¿ which were 100Ω,

62Ω and 91Ω to 2 types of circuit which were parallel and series. In calculation, we used
1 1 1 1
RT =R1 + R2 + R3 in series circuit and = + + in parallel circuit to determine total of
R T R 1 R2 R 3
resistance in each circuit. We also determine that the theorical value of the equivalent
resistance in the series circuit was 253Ω meanwhile 27.03Ω for parallel circuit. For the
experimental value of equivalent resistance, we get the value in both circuits using various
values of voltage which is 2.0V, 4.0V, 6.0V, 8.0V and 10.0V that supplied to the circuit and
the actual value of current on ammeter was recorded.

From the results obtained, we can see that the current flow is increasing when the
voltage increased because the resistance was decreasing in both circuits. This situation was
related with Ohm’s equation as shown below:

V =IR

As the equation shows, the size of the voltage and resistance affect the current.
Current flowing through the component would rise if the voltage remained constant but the
resistance increased. The rate of electricity flow, or current, drops as resistance rises, making
it more difficult for electricity to pass through the component. The easier it is for the
electricity to flow and the faster it flows, the less resistance there is. Consequently, current
increases as resistance decreases.

A graph of current versus value of voltage supposedly resulted in straight line. From
these values of ammeter and value of voltage recorded from the experiment, we plotted the
graph of current versus value of voltage for both circuit and the slope of the graph
1
represented for . The theorical value of equivalent resistance for were 253 Ω for series and
RT
27.03 Ω for parallel with the experimental value and verify the relationship between voltage
1 1
and the slope ( ¿ . For the parallel circuit, the value of the is 0.037 Ω. From this slope
RT RT
value, we can determine that RT is 24.6 Ω with 9.41% percentage difference. Meanwhile for
1 −3
series circuit, the value of the is Ω. From this slope value, we can determine
R T 4.06 × 10
that RT is 246.33 Ω with 2.67% percentage difference. The intercept for the best fit line was
resulted that intersected closed to the origin, which prove that voltage is directly proportional
to I/R in Ohm’s Law.

The source of error in this experiment was due to slight error in taking inaccurate
readings due to the quality of the multi-meter which may not be good and there is some
damage. In addition, the variable DC power supply is also one of the reasons for the error to
occur.

To overcome these sources of error, we have to repeat the measurement and taking
the average value for all readings made to avoid high percentage error. Other from that, we
have to make sure the circuit arrangements are correct and use the strict procedure along the
experiment to avoid wrong value.
CONCLUSION

Current and voltage value is different when resistors was being connected in parallel and
series. Ohm’s Law was verified by using different value of carbon resistors. The current and
voltage was measured by digital ammeter and voltmeter. The equivalent resistance we
obtained from the graph by finding the gradient for resistors in parallel circuit is 27.03 Ω with
9.00% percentage error while resistors in series circuit the value is 246.33 with 2.64%
percentage error. From the data, we can confirmed that the resistance for resistors connected
in series are greater than the equivalent resistant for resistors connected in parallel.

REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Combinations, R. i. (n.d.). BYJU'S : Resistors in Series and Parallel Combinations. Retrieved from
BYJU'S: https://byjus.com/physics/resistors-in-series-parallel/
Parallel, R. i. (2021, January 13). LibreTextsPHYSCS : Resistors in Series and Parallel. Retrieved
from LibreTextsPHYSICS:
https://phys.libretexts.org/Courses/Muhlenberg_College/Physics_122%3A_General_Physics_
II_(Collett)/06%
Parallel, R. i. (n.d.). ElectronicsTutorials : Resistors in Series and Parallel. Retrieved from
ElectronicsTutorials: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/resistor/res_5.html
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

1. Describe the correct way to connect an ammeter and voltmeter in a circuit.

-An ammeter will be always connected in series because it has a low resistance and
the voltmeter will be always connected in parallel because it will be having a high
resistance.
2. “Magnitude of current in a circuit containing resistors connected in series is greater
than the magnitude of current in the circuit containing resistors connected in parallel.”
The above statement is (TRUE/FALSE)
-This is because resistance is inversely proportional to the current. Resistance
connected in parallel has a greater flow of current than resistance connected in series.
Therefore, the resistance in a circuit parallel is smaller than the resistance in a circuit
series.
3. Describe the relationship between current and voltage if the resistance of a conductor
is kept constant.
-The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance is expressed by Ohm’s
Law. This states that the current flowing in a circuit is directly proportional to the
applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit, provided the
temperature remains constant.
4. From the graph of current versus voltage, what does the value of the gradient indicate
-Resistance
5. By choosing any three resistors available in the laboratory, calculate the theoretical
equivalent resistance for resistors connected in series and parallel connection.

Series, R = R1 + R2+ R3

= 100Ω+62 Ω+91 Ω
= 253 Ω
 1 1 1 1
Parallel, = + +
R R 1 R2 R3

1 1 1
= Ω+ Ω+ Ω = 0.037Ω
100 62 91

R=27.03Ω

POST-LAB QUESTION

1. Explain the importance of connecting the ammeter in series to the circuit.

The material used to create the ammeter has extremely little electrical resistance. It is
employed to gauge how much current is flowing across a circuit. An ammeter linked
in series with the circuit can accurately measure the amount of current flowing
through it because the current through all of the circuit's components remains constant
when the circuit is connected in series.

2. Briefly explain the significance of calculating the percentage error or percentage

difference in this experiment.
Percent errors indicate the magnitude of errors when measuring something in an
experiment. Smaller values indicate that they are getting close to the accepted or true
value. The percentage difference tells us the measurement of two different
experimental values, one of which is greater than the other. In other words, the
percentage difference is defined as the absolute value of the percentage ratio of the
difference between two numbers and their average.

3. Explain the effect of resistance towards current in a parallel circuit.

Because there are more paths for the current to pass through in a parallel circuit, the
net resistance decreases as more components are added. This circuit demonstrates the
use of parallel resistors. The potential difference between the two resistors is the
same. If they have different resistances, the current flowing through them will be
different. The sum of the currents flowing through each branch equals the total current
in the circuit.