Voltage division , current division & kirhhcoffs laws

Introduction This report will study three different aspects with regards to circuits. In electronics voltage division involves a voltage divider which is also known as a potential divider. This divider is part of a simple circuit which gives rise to an output voltage which is a small fraction of the input voltage. Voltage division in electronics and in particular in circuits refers to the splitting of voltage between the components present within the divider. A current division is similar in principle to how a voltage division operates but involves the partitioning of current between the numerous branches of the divider. Furthermore, Kirhhcoffs law is a fundamental law in terms of the conservation of energy in mechanics. The law itself helps with the analysis of any circuit and consists of two laws, these being Kirhhcoffs voltage law and Kirhhcoffs current law. (KVL and KCL) Objectives The objectives of this report are to: vary the voltage from 2-8V within a circuit and measure difference between the voltages applied within a circuit vary the voltage from 2-8V within a circuit and measure the difference between the currents in 3 places of the circuit. I, I1, I2 Applying the theory of Kirrcohfs first and second law in a practical situation

BACKGROUND With regards to voltage dividers, they operate in a similar manner to current dividers, however the amount of voltage division that takes place is governed by the numerator within the circuit. The opposite occurs in the division of current, where the components within the circuit govern the division rather than the numerator. A typical example of a voltage divider consists of two resistors like so shown in the diagram below.

Figure 1.0 Voltage divider

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Current division is similar to voltage division, but the important difference between the two is that in current division the splitting of the current between the branches is done so in an equal manner.

Figure 1.1 electrical circuit showing current division Kirchhoffs law was first derived by german physicist known as Gustav Kirchhoff in the year 1845. He devised a set of laws which discussed the conservation of current and energy within electrical circuits. One of the laws known as Kirchhoffs current law deals with the flow of current around a closed circuit whilst the other law is associated with the flow of voltage around a closed circuit. Kirchhoffs current law or first law states that total current or charge entering a junction or node is exactly equal to the charge leaving the node as it has no other place to go except to leave, as no charge is lost within the node. By this he means that whatever current flown into a junction must be equal to whatever leaves that junction.

Figure 1.2 Diagram showing Kirchhoffs first law, current flowing in at I2 is similar to current flowing out at I1, I4 and I3.

Kirchhoffs second law, also known as the voltage law states that "in any closed loop network, the total voltage around the loop is equal to the sum of all the voltage drops within the same loop." By the second law he means that the voltage travelling around a closed circuit is the same at any point of the circuit.

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Figure 1.3 Kirchhoffs second law, voltage at any point around circuit is equal to voltage supplied and the total sum of voltage points around cicuit equal to zero.
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1.

Experiment of Voltage Divider

Construct the circuit depicted in Figure 1. Measure and record the resistors used:

Resistor R1 R2

Colour code red red brown grey red brown

Nominal Value 220 820

Ohmmeter reading 220 823

220 Vs 820

R1

V1

R2

V2

Figure 1 The voltage divider rule is of the general form

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a) Vary the supply voltage from 2 to 8 volts in steps of 2 volts, at each point measuring and tabulating the potential differences V1 and V2. VS (V) Theory V1 (V) 2 4 6 8 0.423 V 0.846 V 1.269 V 1.692 V2 (V) 1.577 V 3.154 V 4.731 V 6.308 V Experiment V1 (V) 0.442 V 0.848 V 1.268 V 1.694 V V2 (V) 1.614 V 3.204 V 4.782 V 6.344 V -0.023 V -0.016 V 0.011 V -5.707 V2 Error V2 Error (%) -2.346 V -1.585 V -1.078 V -0.571 V

b) Compare the voltage V2 (i) as measured and (ii) as calculated using this rule. Comment on the differences and give possible reasons for any differences between the corresponding values.

2.

Experiment of Current Divider

Construct the circuit depicted in Figure 2: Measure and record the resistors used:

Resistor R1 R2

Colour code yellow purple brown grey red brown

Nominal Value 470 820

Ohmmeter reading 467 823

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I I1
Vs 470W

I2
820W

Figure 2 The current divider rule is of the general form

a) Vary the supply voltage from 2 volts to 8 volts in steps of 2 volts, at each point measuring and tabulating the currents I, I1 and I2. VS (V) I (mA) 2 4 6 8 6.713 0.013 0.020 0.02685 Theory I1 (mA) 4.283 8.294 0.013 0.017 I2 (mA) 2.430 4.706 7.24 9.72 I (mA) 6.86 13.67 20.3 27.01 Experiment I1 (mA) 4.37 8.67 12.9 17.23 I2 (mA) 2.49 5.00 7.40 9.78 0.020 -0.045 7.692 -0.014 I1 Error I1 Error (%) -2.031 -4.533 0.769 -1.353

b) Compare the current I1 i) as measured and ii) as calculated using this rule. Comment on the differences and give possible reasons for any differences between the corresponding values.

3.

Experiments of the Kirchhoffs First (current) and Second (Voltage) Laws

Locate the following three resistors, measure and record their resistance: Resistor R1 R2 Colour code brown black brown red red brown Nominal Value 100 220 Ohmmeter reading 99.75 220

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R3

yellow purple brown

470

467

Connect these resistors together as shown in Figure 3

Figure 3

a)

Use the ammeter to measure the values and directions of the currents flowing in each of the resistors. Record these values. Ammeter reading 12.74 MA 5.80 MA 18.67 MA Verify that the algebraic sum of the currents at the junction of the three resistors is zero, in accordance with Kirchhoffs First Law. Use the voltmeter to measure the power supply output e.m.f., the potential drops (voltage) between points A and B and between points B and C. Record these values.

Current I1 I2 I3 b)

c)

Current VAB VBC d)

Voltmeter reading 1.3 V 8.7 V

Verify that the e.m.f acting around the loop is equal to the algebraic sum of the potential drops around the loop, in accordance with Kirchhoff's Second Law.

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4.

Practical circuits based on voltage division and LED circuit

Construct the following circuits using the components given: Circuit a) Instruction Solder two wires to the tactile switch for securing it to the circuit board (alternatively use special connector). The 1K resistor is optional (used as current limiter when connected to an IC). Measure and record the output voltage, Vout when the switch is push (i) on and (ii) off.

Vout

Disconnect and record the resistance of the switch when it is push (i) on and (ii) off.

Investigate the effect of swapping the positions of the switch and 10KW resistor. b) Measure and record the output voltage, Vout when the LDR is (i) covered and (ii) exposed.

Vout

Disconnect and record the resistance when the LDR is (i) covered and (ii) exposed.

Investigate the effect of swapping the positions of the LDR and 100KW resistor. c) Measure and record the output voltage, Vout when the thermistor is (i) on room temperature and (ii) heated by your fingers.

Vout
Record the resistance when the thermistor is (i) on room temperature and (ii) heated by your fingers.

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d)

5V

Measure and record (i) the voltages across the resistor and LED; (ii) current through the LED

Increase supply voltage to 7V, and repeat the above procedure. Observe the brightness of LED.

a) b)

Explain the operation of each circuit. Based on the tactile switch and LED circuits, design and sketch two circuits where you can control the LED operation using the switch (Hint: you may swap the positions of the switch and the resistor). Explain the operation of the designed circuit. Can the LDR used instead of the tactile switch? Explain your answer. You may want to test this out. (Hint: you may want to consider the current through the LED).

c)

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