1. I vs V for a Resistor.

Using a 22 kohm resistor, verify that Ohm's law is obeyed by measuring I and V for a few voltages. Use the 5-15 V dc supply on your breadboard, and the circuit shown in figure 1. Use two multimeters connected as shown to make the measurements. (Note that voltages are measured between points in the circuit, while currents are measured through a part of a circuit. Therefore you usually have to break the circuit to measure a current.) Be sure to use both positive and negative values of V. After you've measured at least ten values of V for the 22kohm resistor, try a 10kohm resistor. Plot the results. Is Ohm's law obeyed for the resistors? From the plots, determine the values of the resistances. Compare to the values marked on the resistors, and to values measured with your multimeter.

The voltmeter is not measuring the voltage at the place you want, namely across the resistor. Does that matter? How can you fix the circuit so the voltmeter measures what you want? Describe the impact of the voltmeter and ammeter internal resistances on the accuracy of the above measurements. For the instruments you are using, which connection is best?

2. I vs V for a Lamp.

Now perform the same measurement for a CM7361 lamp. Plot the results. What is the ``resistance'' of the lamp? What is the difference between the voltage-current relationship of the resistors and the lamp? Why are they different?

3. Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

Construct the voltage divider shown in figure 2. Apply V_in = 15V. Measure the (open circuit) output voltage. Next, measure the short circuit current. With this information, determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit. Attach a 10kohm load resistor to the output. Measure the voltage across this load. Calculate the expected output voltage using the Thevenin equivalent circuit and compare it to the measured value.

Now build the Thevenin equivalent circuit using the variable 15V power supply and a resistor close to the required value. Check to see that its Thevenin voltage and Norton current are correct. Then attach the same 10kohm load resistor used above to see if the Thevenin equivalent circuit behaves the same as the original circuit.

With the original voltage divider (the left portion of figure 2), use the 10kohm pot on your breadboard as an adjustable resistor in parallel with one of the 5kohm resistors. Adjust the pot to give 3V across the potentiometer. What resistance was required (use the ohm meter function on the multimeter)? Compare to the calculated value (again, use the Thevenin equivalent circuit in your calculations).