Activity No.1 Date: …..

AIM: To measure resistance, voltage (dc/ac), current (dc) and check continuity of a given circuit using
a multimeter.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:

A multimeter with its test leads, a resistance box, a key, a cell/ battery eliminator, a step down
transformer of 6 V output voltage, a rheostat, connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

PRINCIPLE:

To measure the DC voltage, DC current, AC voltage, AC current, resistance, etc., the multimeter must
be adjusted first for measuring the value with a suitable range using the rotatary knob. For example,
the potential difference across the two end points of the resistor can be measured by connecting the
multimeter (with proper voltage setting) in parallel with the resistor. The current flowing through the
resistor can be measured by connecting the multimeter (with proper current setting) in series.

DIAGRAMS:
PROCEDURE:

(1) For measurement of resistance:

(i) set the multimeter in resistance measuring mode. Connect the red and black probes
to the multimeter.
(ii) Connect open end of the red probe directly to the black probe to measure the
resistance of the leads.
(iii) Insert a resistor of known resistance R in the circuit by taking out the corresponding
resistor key from the resistance box and read multimeter reading RM for the value of
resistance of the resistor used in the circuit.
(2) Measurement of dc voltage:
(i) select the suitable position of the function switch (ac/dc) and then select the highest
range available.
(ii) Connect the multimeter in the circuit as shown in Fig.
(iii) Set the multimeter to measure the dc voltage. Select a suitable range. For example, if
a cell of 1.5V emf (say) is used in the circuit, keep the range at 2.5V.
(3) Measurement of dc current:
(i) Same as Measurement of dc voltage but this time set the multimeter to measure dc
current.

OBSERVATIONS

Table A: Measurement of resistance:

1. Range of resistance scale on the multimeter panel = 200 Ω

2. Least count of the scale = 0.1 Ω
3. Resistance of digital multimeter leads RL = 0.9 Ω

Resistance R as Multimeter
Difference
Sl. No. indicated in reading
R – RM = [ R–RM ] (Ω)
resistance box (Ω) RM - RL (Ω)
1 10 10.2 0.2
2 20 20.5 0.5
3 50 51.2 1.2

Table B: Measurement of dc voltage:

1. Range of dc voltage scale selected on the multimeter panel = 20 V

2. Least count of the scale = 0.01 V
3. Voltage set in the battery eliminator = 6V

Multimeter
Resistance R in the
Sl. No. reading for
circuit (Ω)
voltage (V)
1 10 7.1
2 20 6.8
3 50 6.1
Table C : Measurement of dc current

1. Range of dc current scale selected on the multimeter panel = 200 mA

2. Least count of the scale = 0.1 mA
3. Voltage set in the battery eliminator = 6V

Multimeter
Resistance R in the
Sl. No. reading for
circuit (Ω)
current (mA)
1 100 58.2
2 200 29.9
3 500 12.5

RESULT:

1. The dc/ac voltage, dc current and resistance have been measured using a digital multimeter.

2. The values of resistance measured by the multimeter is nearly the same as the decoded values of
resistors.

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Appropriate selection of function switch and range switch for a given measurement of voltage or
current and resistance should be made.

2. The polarity probe leads should be connected to the proper polarities in measuring dc voltage and
current.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

1. The scale used in reading of voltage/ current may be improper.

DISCUSSION:

1. If in place of a resistance box, carbon resistors are used, the heating of carbon resistor
should be avoided. Heating of resistors may change the resistance value of the resistor.
Activity No.2 Date: …..

AIM: To draw the diagram of a given open circuit comprising at least a battery, resistor/rheostat, key,
ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the components that are not connected in proper order and correct
the circuit and also the circuit diagram.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:

A given open circuit comprising atleast a cell or a battery, plug key, resistor, rheostat, ammeter,
voltmeter, connecting wires and sand paper.

PRINCIPLE:

An electrical circuit is functional only if all the components of the circuit are connected in proper
order, assuming that all circuit components/devices are in working condition and key is closed.

An open circuit means a break in some part of a circuit which could be deliberate such as a key in
open position or a fault such as broken wire or burnt-out component(s) or loose connection.

DIAGRAMS:

Some examples of open circuits (Incorrect circuits):

(A) (B)

(C) (D)
Correct Circuit Diagram:

PROCEDURE:

1. Draw the circuit diagrams in your notebook as given by your teacher [Fig. (a), (b), (c) and (d)].

2. Consider one circuit (A) and mark in Table A 2.1, the various components which have not been
connected in proper order.

3. Draw the correct circuit diagram.

4. Connect the electrical components according to corrected circuit diagram.

5. Close the key in the circuit to verify if the corrected circuit is functional.

OBSERVATIONS

Table A: For Incorrect diagram A

Sl. No. Circuit Components Correct Connection Incorrect Connection

1 Battery/ Cell
2 Resistor
3 Rheostat
4 Key
5 Ammeter
6 Voltmeter

RESULT:

The electrical circuit assembled as per the corrected circuit diagram is functional.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Ends of the connecting wires should be cleaned with sand paper before making connections.

2. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the positive terminal of the voltmeter
and positive terminal of the ammeter.

3. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor and the voltmeter should be
connected in parallel with it.

DISCUSSION:

1. Rheostat can be used both as a variable resistance and potential divider.

Activity No.3 Date: …..

AIM: To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:

Resistor, ammeter, (0-1.5A) voltmeter (0-5V ), battery, one way key, rheostat, sand paper, connecting
wires.

PRINCIPLE:

Same as Activity no. 2

DIAGRAMS:

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the components as shown in Fig.

2. After closing the key K, check that the voltmeter and ammeter show deflections on the right
hand side.

RESULT:

The components of the electrical circuit were assembled.

PRECAUTIONS:

Same as Activity No. 2

DISCUSSION:

1. Draw the circuit diagram of the experiment before you start connecting apparatus and keep
infront of you.

2. The values of the resistances and the current carraying capacity of the rheostat are given on a
plate fixed on the body of rheostat.
DATE:------- EXPERIMENT NO: 1

AIM: To determine resistivity of two / three wires by plotting a graph for potential difference versus
current.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:

A wire of unknown resistance (2-10 Ω), battery eliminator or two dry cells (1.5 V each), voltmeter (0-
5 V), ammeter, rheostat, plug key, connecting wires and a piece of sand paper, screw gauge, metre
scale.

PRINCIPLE:

Ohm's law states that the electric current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference across its ends, provided the physical state of the conductor remains unchanged.

If I be the current flowing through the conductor and V the potential difference across its ends, then
according to Ohm's law

V∝ I

 V = RI
𝑉
 R = 𝐼 (Slop of V-I graph will give us Resistance of given wire)

where R is the constant of proportionality and is termed as the electrical resistance of the
conductor.

The resistance R, depends upon the material and dimensions of the conductor. For a wire of
uniform cross-section, the resistance depends on the length l and the area of cross-section
A.
𝑙
R = ρ𝐴

where ρ is the specific resistance or resistivity and is characteristic of the material of wire.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS:
PROCEDURE:…………………………………………………….

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Range of ammeter =

2. Least count of ammeter = ...

3. Range of voltmeter =

4. Least count of voltmeter = ...

For Given Wire-1

1. Length of the given wire-1, L1 =

2. Diameter of the given wire-1, D1

(1) Least count (L.C.) of Screw Gauge = … mm

(2) Zero Error (Z) = … mm
(3) Table for diameter (D1)-

Circular Scale Reading Total Reading

No. of Circular
Linear Scale Scale
Value Observed Corrected
Sl. No. Reading division on
[n * (L.C.)] D' = N + n * L.C. D1 = D' - Z
(N) in mm reference line
(n)
1
2
3

Table A:

Current flowing
Applied potential
through the wire
Sl. No. difference [voltmeter
[ammeter reading I
reading V (V)]
(A)]
1
2
3
4
5

For Given Wire-2

1. Length of the given wire-2, L2 =

2. Diameter of the given wire-2, D2

(1) Least count (L.C.) of Screw Gauge = … mm

(2) Zero Error (Z) = … mm
(3) Table for diameter (D2)-
 Circular Scale Reading Total Reading
No. of Circular
Linear Scale Scale
Value Observed Corrected
Sl. No. Reading division on
[n * (L.C.)] D' = N + n * L.C. D2 = D' - Z
(N) in mm reference line
(n)
1
2
3

Table B:

Current flowing
Applied potential
through the wire
Sl. No. difference [voltmeter
[ammeter reading I
reading V (V)]
(A)]
1
2
3
4
5

GRAPH FOR WIRE-1 AND WIRE-2 (V-I Graphs):

CALCULATION:

RESULT:

1. The resistivity of given wire-1 = ….

2. The resistivity of given wire-2 = ….

PRECAUTIONS:

1. The voltmeter should be connected in parallel and the ammeter in series with the circuit.

2. The key should be inserted only while taking observations, as excessive flow of current causes
unnecessary heating of the wire.

3. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the positive terminal of the voltmeter
and positive terminal of the ammeter.

SOURCE OF ERROR:

1. The wire used may not be of uniform area of cross-section.

DISCUSSION:

A resistor obeys Ohm’s law. However, not all conducting devices obey Ohm's law e.g. diode, thyristor
etc. These are called non ohmic resistances