Resistance and Ohm's Law

Introduction

When designing or using electronic devices, we often need to know how changing the voltage across the device will affect the current flowing through it.

For example, what will happen to the current flowing through a circuit element, such as a bulb that is part of a circuit, if we increase the voltage across it? Alternatively, what will happen to the current passing through a carbon resistor as voltage increases?

Objectives

In this activity, you will

• Compare the behavior of a flashlight bulb to that of a carbon resistor and determine whether or not these devices obey Ohm’s Law.