4.2.1.4 Required practical 4 — I–V characteristics

What you do (method)

• Build a circuit with variable resistor, ammeter in series, voltmeter in parallel.
• Vary the current and record paired readings of I and V.
• Plot I–V graph and describe shape for:
  • resistor (straight line through origin)
  • filament lamp (curve; resistance increases with temperature)
  • diode (one-direction; threshold)

Common mistakes

• Swapping ammeter/voltmeter positions.
• Not zeroing meters / reading wrong scale.
• Plotting axes the wrong way (be consistent; state what you plotted).

Support videos

• FreeScienceLessons I-V characteristics practical search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=freesciencelessons+I-V+characteristics+required+practical