IV PLOTS P2

The IV characteristic, or “IV plot” of a component is found by plotting a graph of Current (I,
in Amps) against Voltage (V, in Volts). Hence the name.
Straight lines on graphs mean
These can be very useful for investigating components “directly proportional”.
and resistances. We can recognise many components
simply by looking at their IV characteristics.

Gradient of an IV Plot

Gradients tell us how steep a line is. See the box below
if you need help finding a gradient.

The gradient of an IV plot is equal to 1/R (the reciprocal

of the resistance, R).
If the resistance of a component is constant, what will
the IV plot look like?
The larger the resistance is, the smaller the gradient will
be. Likewise, a small resistance means a steeper line.
If a component has an IV plot that
is a straight line, then the current
is proportional to the voltage.
Look again at the definition of
Ohm’s Law – this means that the
resistance is constant.

Finding Gradient, m
1) Select 2 points on the line.
2) Find the vertical distance between them (∆y).
3) Find the horizontal distance (∆x).
4) Divide these two, so the gradient
 IV PLOTS P2
Components and their IV Plots

Resistors and wires obey Ohm’s Law,

provided their temperature does not
change.
Resistor
This means their resistance is constant;
their IV plot is a straight line.

A filament lamp is just like a wire,

except that when current flows it gets
hot.
Filament Lamp Hot things have a higher resistance, so
the IV plot is a shallower line at high
(or highly negative) currents.

A diode is a device designed to only

allow current flow in one direction.
Diode This means that it has an infinite
resistance on one side of the IV plot
(there is zero current flow, so no line).

A thermistor is an unusual
component: when it is hotter, its
resistance decreases. When it is
cooler it has a higher resistance.

However, it is also a resistor, so at each

temperature its IV plot is similar to a
resistor’s.

Draw an IV plot for a thermistor, including

one line for a hot thermistor and another
for a cold one.

Make sure you label the lines correctly!