Teach lesson
Ohm's Law with Hive: measure a real current
Students use a prepared resistor circuit in LabsLand Hive, measure the real current with the multimeter in DC current mode, and check whether the result fits V = I · R.
Learning Outcomes
Distinguish voltage, current, and resistance in a simple circuit.
Measure current in a real Hive circuit without modifying a safe prepared setup.
Convert a measurement from mA to A and compare it with a theoretical calculation.
Use Ohm's law to explain why higher resistance reduces current when voltage stays constant.
Write a short conclusion based on real data and the model V = I · R.
Student activity preview
Activity Content
Preview only. In a class session, students can fill in responses and submit their work to the teacher.
1 · Prepare the model: what you will measure
10 min
In this activity you will use the Hive remote lab to measure a real current. The
reference circuit has a 5 V source, four resistors, and a multimeter connected to
measure direct current.
Three words are important:
- Voltage: the electrical "push" from the source. It is measured in volts (V).
- Current: how much electric charge passes through the circuit each second. It is measured in amperes (A) or milliamperes (mA).
- Resistance: how much the circuit opposes the flow of current. It is measured in ohms (Ω).
Ohm's law links those three quantities:
Ohm's law
V = I \cdot R
If we know the voltage and equivalent resistance, we can also calculate the current:
Current from voltage and resistance
I = \frac{V}{R}
In the circuit you will use, the approximate equivalent resistance is 1.95 kΩ,
that is, 1950 Ω. The source is 5.0 V.
Hive laboratory
Hive lets you measure real circuits remotely. In this activity you will use a prepared
setup so you can focus on measurement and interpretation.
Circuit to be measured
Simplified diagram of the Ohm's law A circuit. In Hive you will see it already assembled:
your task is to measure the current and compare that measurement with the model.
Before opening the lab, calculate or estimate the current you expect to measure. Write:
1. The formula you use.
2. Your substitution with 5.0 V and 1950 Ω.
3. The result in amperes and, if you can, in milliamperes.
Complete the conversion: 1 mA = ____ A. Then explain why a reading of
approximately 2.5 mA does not mean 2.5 A.
2 · Open Hive and measure the current
15 min
You will use the Ohm's law A circuit. Your goal is to obtain one current measurement from a setup that Teach opens already preloaded in Hive.
Measurement mode
Do not switch the multimeter to voltage mode in this circuit. The setup is prepared to
measure direct current. If you change the mode or the wiring, the measurement may
fail or become blocked.
Open Hive and measure Ohm's law A
Open the Hive lab from this activity.
Wait until the Ohm's law A circuit appears already loaded on the board.
Check that the multimeter is in DC current mode. If your Hive interface appears in Spanish, this is corriente continua.
Do not change the wires, resistors, or multimeter selector.
Press Perform Measurement. If your Hive interface appears in Spanish, this button is Realizar medicion.
Wait until the current value appears. Record it with its units exactly as Hive shows it.
Measurement record
Complete the table with the reading shown by Hive. Keep the given data and fill the blank rows with your measurement, its conversion, and the difference between measured and calculated current.
| Quantity | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Write exactly what value Hive showed and how you entered it in the record. If your
measurement was in mA, show the conversion to A.
3 · Compare the measurement with Ohm's law
12 min
Now compare your real result with the model. Do not expect it to match to the last decimal:
real components have tolerances and the lab measures with real instruments. What matters
is deciding whether the order of magnitude and approximate value make sense.
Compare your measured current with the calculated value (0.00256 A, approximately
2.56 mA). Answer in 4-5 sentences:
1. Is your measurement close to the calculated value?
2. Is the difference small, moderate, or large?
3. What evidence from your record do you use to decide?
4. Does the result support Ohm's law for this circuit? Explain why.
If the source stayed at 5 V but the equivalent resistance were doubled
(approximately 3900 Ω), what current would you expect?
A team writes 2.53 A in its table even though the lab showed 2.53 mA. What is
the problem?
4 · Class discussion: what the circuit tells us
6 min
Compare your measurement with another team's measurement. If the two measurements are
similar, the evidence is stronger. If they are not, first check three things:
1. whether both teams used the Ohm's law A circuit;
2. whether both teams wrote the unit correctly (mA or A);
3. whether both teams left the multimeter in direct current mode.
If you compared results in class, write two measurements from other teams and say whether
they are compatible with yours. Always include the unit.
5 · Conclusion
7 min
CER conclusion
Write a conclusion with three parts:
- Claim: say whether your measurement supports Ohm's law in this circuit.
- Evidence: cite your measured current and the calculated value.
- Reasoning: explain why comparing V, I, and R lets you make that decision.