LAB #05: Mesh Analysis

OVERVIEW:
The purpose of this lab was to analyze, build, and test a circuit with multiple sources. This time, we will solve the circuit using mesh analysis.

PROCEDURE:
Pre-Lab:
As illustrated in the ENGR 44 Lab book, we will analyze the circuit in Figure 1 using mesh analysis techniques to determine the voltage differences V1 and V2. Please note that this is essentially the same circuit used in my Nodal Analysis lab.

Lab:

1. Construct the circuit; measure and record all actual resistance values. Measure V1 and V2 in the circuit.
2. Calculate the percentage error between your measured values and your predicted values for V1 and V2 respectively.

Physical Circuit (Zoomed In)

Physical Circuit (Zoomed Out)

ANALYSIS:
Pre-Lab:
Predicted Voltage Values:
V1 = 2.356 V
V2 = 4.356 V

Pre-Lab Calculations on Whiteboard

Lab:
Part 1:
Actual Resistance Values:

R1 = 10 k
R2 = 20 k
R3 = 6.8k

Actual Voltage Values:
V1 = 2.34 V
V2 = 4.32 V

V1 on DMM

V2 on DMM

Part 2:
Percent error between predicted and measured voltage:
Error in V1: (|2.356 - 2.34| / 2.356)* 100 = 0.679%
Error in V2: (|4.356 - 4.32| / 4.356)* 100 = 0.826%

CONCLUSION:
Our measured values for V1 and V2 are definitely within a reasonable margin of error. During the pre-lab, we used mesh analysis to predict the values of V1 and V2. We found these values to be 2.356 V and 4.356 V respectively. For the actual lab, we measured Vl = 2.34 V and V2 = 4.32 V. This corresponds to a percent error of 0.679% and 0.826%  for V1 and V2 respectively. This uncertainty is likely due to the internal resistance of the DMM.