TITLE:

Kirchhoffs Rules

ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this lab experiment is to demonstrate Kirchhoffs Rules for electrical circuits. The
experiment begin when resistor is connect into a combined circuit on the circuits experiment
board. Each resistor is labeled with R1,R2,R3,R4 and R5. Then, using DMM the value of each
resistor, the voltage and the current flowing in the circuit was recorded. The resistance value
also measured by Digital Multimeter (DMM). The actual value then compared with the
theoretical computed value. The same resistance in that circuit can be find by using Kirchhoffs
Rules. The junction rules state the sum of the current leaving that junction. The loop rules state
that the sum of the potential differences around any closed circuit loop must be zero.

INTRODUCTION:
This experiment is to test the validity of Kirchhoffs rules for different DC circuits. The
measurements of the currents through and the voltage drops across the resistors in the
multiloop circuits is recorded . These measured value is used to test Kirchoffs Rules.
The Kirchhoffs first rule or junction rule states that at any junction point, the sum of all current
entering the junction must equal the sum of all current leaving the junction.

Kirchoffs second rule or loop rule states that the sum of the changes in potential around any
closed loop of a circuit must be zero.

THEORY:
Kirchhoff's laws may be stated as follows:
The Junction Rule :
The algebraic sum of the currents flowing into or out of a node is zero. Alternatively, the sum of
currents flowing into a branch point is equal to the sum of the currents flowing out of a branch
point.

The Loop Rule :

This idea by Kirchhoff is known as the conservation of charge. Kirchhoffs Loop rule is an
expression of energy conservation applied to changes in potential circuit. The sum of the
potential drops around any closed loop is equal to zero. Alternatively, the algebraic sum of the
changes in potential around any closed loop is zero.

MATERIALS AND APPARATUS:

-Circuit Experiment Board

-Wire Leads
-Resistors
-Two D-cell Batteries
Digital Multimeter (DMM)

PROCEDURE:

1.The circuit is connected by using any resistors except 10 one. The figure is use to
record the data. The resistance value is recorded in the table below. With no current
flowing (the battery disconnected), the total resistance of the the circuit is measured
between point A and B
2.With the circuit connected to the battery and the current flowing, the voltage across
each of the resistors is measured and the values of the voltage is recorded in the table
below. From the two diagram, one side is indicated which the resistors is positive related
to the other end by placing + at the end.
3. The current through each of the resistors is measured. The circuit is interrupted and
the DMM is place in series to obtained the reading. Each of the individual currents is
recorded, as well as the current flow into or out of the main part of the circuit.

RESULT:

R1 :

Resistance,
257.3

V1 :

Voltage, Volts
1.190

I1 :

Current, mA
0.06

R2 :

369.5

V2 :

1.798

I2 :

0.02

R3 :

368.6

V3 :

1.792

I3 :

0.01

R4 :

259.0

V4 :

1.192

I4 :

0.07

R5 :

217.2

V5 :

0.602

I5 :

0.00

RT :

0.544

VT :

0.544

IT :

0.07

SAMPLE OF CALCULATION:

Calculation 1: 0.88mA 0.88mA =0

Calculation 2: 0.88mA 0.88mA =0
Calculation 3: 0.88mA 0.88mA =0
Calculation 4: 0mA 0.88mA =-0.88mA

DISCUSSION :

Within the experimental uncertainly of the measuring device used (DMM) Kirchhoffs Rules are
verified. The net current flowing into or out of any junction is approximately zero, and the sum of
the voltages around any loop is approximately zero.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. Be careful to observe the polarity of the leads (red is +, black is-).

2. Be careful when noting the wires at which is connected to positive and which is connected
to negative.

3. Make sure the wires are connected to each other as well as the D-cell to have a complete
circuit.
4. Make sure the unit of measured resistance is taken correctly.
5. Connect the resistors in their orderly form based on the diagram given and make sure the
resistors are not touching each other.
6. To get more precise values, wire-wound and film resistors are used.

REFERENCES:
Pearson International Edition, Giancoli : Physics for scientists and engineers with modern
physic (fourth edition)
From Website : www.unbc.ca
CHE175 Lab Manual