Copper Wire- Physics Investigation

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Aim: In this investigation I will be investigating resistances of different lengths of wire ranging from 40cm-90cm of 24 SWG wire at a power supply voltage of 1.5V, using a range of apparatus.

Apparatus:

  1. 90cm of 24 SWG wire
  2. Voltmeter
  3. Ammeter
  4. Power supply
  5.  Meter ruler
  6. Variable resistor
  7. Crocodile clips

Method: The way in which I am going to carry this experiment out is: first I will gather everything in my apparatus list (see above), measure out 90cm of wire using the meter ruler and then I will set everything up as shown in the diagram below.

Method (continued): Then, I do a preliminary experiment to establish a range for the different lengths of wire that I will use. I will get a minimum length and a maximum range, get the volts and the amps and use the   equation to work out the resistance of that particular length of wire.

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Preliminary experiment:

40cm        Voltage = 0.06v

                Amps        = 0.09A

                 

                Resistance = 0.06÷0.09

                Resistance = 0.67Ω (rounded up to 2 D.p.)

90cm        voltage = 0.15

                Amps        = 0.08

                 

                Resistance = 0.06÷0.08

                Resistance = 1.88(rounded up to 2 D.p.)

This has now given me a range of lengths to do between 40cm to 90cm of wire

Method (continued): I then decide to do lengths of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90cm. I drew a table and took readings for the volts and the amps of each length three times, worked ...

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