Ohm’s Law, and the Determination of Current and Voltage in

Resistors Connected in Various Circuit Combinations

Zharina Izabel Q. Gurion , Marion Michal Fe G. Hall , Jerome C. Jardin , Joshua Christian S. Javier ,
1 2* 2 1

Jozylyn N. Manansala and Kathleen Ann E. Villapol

3 1

1
Department of Industrial Engineering – CEAT, UP Los Banos
2
Institute of Chemistry – CAS, UP Los Banos
3
Department of Civil Engineering – CEAT, UP Los Banos
*Corresponding author: mghall@up.edu.ph
Abstract
This study aims to differentiate the distribution of voltages and currents in the resistor circuits in accordance to
Ohm’s Law using three different connections; series, parallel and series-parallel. The experiment was done by
measuring the resistance, current and voltage through and across the resistors of the three connections. The current
is the same at all points in a series and the total voltage and resistance are a summation in each resistor. In a
parallel circuit, the voltage is same in each resistor and the total current and resistance are a summation of their
said variable.
Keywords: Ohm’s Law, current, voltage and resistance

1. Introduction
There are three different types of electric circuits: Series circuits, Parallel circuits, and Series-Parallel
circuits. To understand the difference between these types of circuits, first we need to explain the concept of
Current, Resistance, and Potential difference (or Voltage) and how these concepts relate to one another.

Electric Current is defined as the rate at which charge flows through a particular point in a wire. You can
quantify it by measuring the change in quantity of charge (as per cross-sectional area of the wire) over time. The
unit for Electric current is Amperes or A.

I = Q/t Q = Quantity of charge flowing by a point

= 1.6 x 10^-19 C (Coulombs)
t = amount of time (seconds)

Resistance is the hindrance encountered by the electric charge to pass through a circuit. Resistance is
likely quantifiable through the concept of an object’s resistivity, ρ; which is the tendency of a material to resist
the flow of electric charge through it. The unit for Resistance is measured in Ohms. Resistance then is defined
using the following equation:

R = ρ ● L/A ρ = Resistivity (Ohm-meter)

L = length of material (expressed in terms of m)
A = cross-sectional area of material (m^2)

Voltage, also known as Electric potential difference, is the supply of electricity from the energy source
(battery, outlet, etc.) and it is related to the other two variables through Ohm’s Law [1],

ΔV = I ● R ΔV = Electric potential difference (Volts)

I = Electric Current (Amperes)
R = Resistance (Ohms)

In a circuit, there are 3 fundamental parts: The energy source (or battery), the wires, and the resistors
(typically appliances or other materials). The resistors naturally vary in resistance and result in either a change in
voltage or current, depending on the type of circuit. The total resistance, total voltage, and total current also depend
on the type of circuit.

Consider the following circuit: One energy source, three resistors, and the wires connecting the resistors.
For a series connection, the charge flows through one or more resistors consecutively, which makes the total
resistance equal to the sum of the resistance of each of the resistors involved:

R (total) = R1 + R2 + R3

Since in a series circuit there are no pathways that branch out, the resulting current is equal throughout the entire
system. The current in the first resistor, in the second, and in the third are all equal to the total current
 I (total) = I1 = I2 = I3

As charge goes through each resistor, the resistance of the material would result in a voltage drop which is
consistent with Ohm’s law. The total voltage therefor is equal to the sum of the voltage drops.

ΔV (total) = ΔV1 + ΔV2 + ΔV3

For a parallel connection, as the charge flows through the circuit, it branches out to separate loops before
reaching the resistor so rather than the charge flowing through a single loop to reach all the circuits, it flows
through three separate loops resulting in resistance;

1/R (total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

Where the connection branches out: the current likely branches out. The resulting current then is equal to the
sum of the current found in each individual pathway;

I (total) = I1 + I2 + I3

The value of the current in each pathway is determined by the resistance and the voltage involved. Since each
resistor has its own individual connection to the energy source, then the voltage drop should be equal to the
voltage found in the energy source;
ΔV (total) = ΔV1 = ΔV2 = ΔV3

For a series-parallel connection, it is a combination of the two types of connections presented earlier. To
compute for the given values of the separate resistors would depend on the connection [1].

For this experiment, students will be experimenting on the changes in voltage, resistance, and current
and the effect on one another using the different types of circuits in order to better understand the type of circuit
and its effect on the variables presented.

2. Methodology
In this exercise, three resistors, multimeters, connectors, circuit board, and a power supply were prepared.
On the first set-up, three resistors were plugged into a circuit board and were connected in series. The resistors
were labeled as R1, R2, and R3, and the resistance of each was measured. The resistors were then connected to a
power supply. Using an ammeter, the individual current of the resistors was measured and was recorded as I1, I2,
and I3. Using Ohm’s Law, the expected values of voltages of each resistor were computed and recorded.
Afterwards, the voltages of each resistor were measured using a voltmeter and were labeled as V1, V2, and V3.
After gathering the data, the circuit was disconnected from the power supply.

For the second set up, the same resistors were plugged into a circuit board and were connected in parallel.
After being connected to the power supply, the voltages of each resistor were measured using voltmeter, and
recorded as V1, V2, and V3. With the obtained values of voltage, the expected values of the current of each
resistor were computed using the Ohm’s Law. Using an ammeter, the currents of each resistor were measured and
recorded as I1, I2, and I3. The circuit was then disconnected from the power supply. The procedures of this set-
up were also done for the third set-up where resistors R1 an R2 were connected in parallel while in series with
resistor R3.

3. Results and Discussion

The submission of report (finished/unfinished) is the next meeting before the class starts. There would be no
consideration to give justice to other groups who prepared and submitted their reports promptly.

4. Conclusion and Recommendation

In this experiment, the current passing through resistors, and voltage across resistors connected in series,
parallel and in series-parallel circuit combination were determined. In the resistors connected in series, the current
of the individual resistor and the equivalent resistor were found to be equal, which is 4.28 mA. This implies that
the current of the resistors connected in series is constant. Voltage on the other hand showed that it also increases
the higher the resistance of the resistor. This shows the direct proportionality of the voltage and the resistance.
Moreover, it was found that the sum of the individual voltage of resistors 1-3, which is 1.419V, is close to the
measured voltage of equivalent resistor, 1.411V. It was also found that the sum of individual resistance (of R 1,
R2, R3), which is 327.6Ω is equal to the measured resistance of the equivalent resistor (also 327.6 Ω). From these
observations, it showed that the resistors connected in a series can be written in a single equivalent resistor
considering the current is constant and the Req is equal to the sum of the resistance of R1, R2 and R3. On the other
hand, resistors connected in a parallel circuit showed that the voltage across individual resistor and the equivalent
resistor are almost equal, with 1.386V, 1.389V, and 1.392V as readings for the voltages across individual resistors,
and 1.396V for the equivalent. Therefore, the voltage across resistors that are connected in parallel is constant. In
this case, the current that passes through the resistors in parallel circuit varies. It was found that the higher the
resistance of the resistor, the lower current that passes through. In this case, it shows the inverse proportionality
of the resistance (R) and the current (I). Furthermore, it was found that the sum of the individual current (of R1,
R2, R3) is equal to 49.21mA while the measured current of the equivalent resistor is 46.97mA.

Lastly, in the circuit of combination of series and parallel, wherein R 1 is connected parallel to R2 and
then series with R3. The relationship is the same with those of resistors in series and parallel.

In summary, when the resistors are connected in series, the current (I) that passes through each resistor
is constant and the equivalent resistance and voltage is equal to the sum of the individual resistance and voltage,
respectively. On the other hand, when the resistors are connected in parallel, the voltage across each resistor is
constant while the current varies. Also the equivalent resistance is equal to the summation of the reciprocal of the
individual resistance while the total current that passes through the resistors is equal to the sum of the individual
current. When series and parallel are combined, same approach is applied to determine the voltage, current and
the resistance provided that the resistors which are in parallel or in series are treated separately to produce an
equivalent resistor.

In this experiment, the calculated percent errors of the experimental value are relatively low and
acceptable. Some of the errors might be due to the apparatus used such as the ammeter and the circuit board. We
recommend ensuring that the digital voltmeter, ohmmeter, and ammeter (or multimeter) to be used is properly
working before proceeding with the experiment, as fluctuations in the read-out may cause later error in
calculations or a large percentage error. This error can be also minimized by performing more trials.

5. References
1. Electricity: Electric Circuits. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2018, from Physics classroom :
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/calcpad/circuits

2.