Physlet Illustration: Ohm's Law

 

 
V=  volts R=  W
In this simulation, a resistor is connected to a battery. The voltmeter measures the potential difference across the resistor, and the ammeters measure the currents at two different places in the circuit.  Placing your mouse cursor on top of any circuit element displays the relevant information about that element. Vary the values of the battery voltage (1 volt < V < 50 volts) and resistance (1 W < R < 100 W). Can you verify Ohm's Law?

Hints:

  1. How does the voltage across the resistor compare to the battery emf?
  2. How does the current that enters the resistor at the top compare to the current that exits the resistor at the bottom?
  3. If you double the battery voltage, what happens to the current flowing?
  4. If you double the resistance, what happens to the current flowing?
  5. Does this verify Ohm's law?

Reference

See Walker, Section 21-2

Illustration written by Steve Mellema and Chuck Niederriter