Resistors
Resistors are components that limit (or resist) the current of the circuit, or to act as an "pull up" or "pull down" for any circuit. They are measured in ohms (Ω) and their polarity of the leads does not effect the resistor, which means it can be placed in either direction. Potentiometers are also resistors as well, but their resistance varies as the knob changes. This experiment is going to test dual resistors (one for 1kΩ and the other for 330Ω) in series to each other to measure the current and also the voltage across each resistor.
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Figure 1: Resistors and their symbol
The Colour code
In order to know what values to use, the colour code chart (shown below) helps to identify the values of the resistor. In my case, the 1kΩ resistor came with 5 bands and the colours (left to right) were one brown, two blacks and two brown band. The 330Ω resistor also comes with 5 bands, and had the colours are two orange, two black and one brown. Alternatively, a digital multi-meter would also be able to measure the value of the resistance.
Figure 2: Colour code chart
The Schematic
The image below shows the circuit of the experiment, in which the resistors are connected in series to the power supply, which is operated at 5 volts.
Figure 3: The schematic
The Calculations
In order to calculate the current, there is an equation known as Ohm's Law, which is shown below. Ohm's law is not only used to calculate the current of the circuit, but it can be used to calculate the total voltage and the resistance as well.
Figure 4: Ohm's law equations
Testing
Figure 5 shows the circuit analysis and the practical side of the experiment.
