Science Coursework Paul Naylor
How is resistance affected in a wire?
Plan: In my investigation I will be finding out necessary factors that affect resistance in a wire. To do this I will be looking at different lengths of wire, different thickness and different materials. The three materials we will be using are Copper, Nichrome and Constantin. In the investigation I will take three sets of the same results and at least 6 measurements of wire being resisted. This way I can work out an average and also plot a graph.
Circuits: There are two types of circuits, parallel and series; in this instance we will be looking at the latter.
Equipment: Voltmeter.
Ammeter.
Power pack.
Crocodile clips.
Wire.
Different types of wires Length of wire.
Thickness.
Material.
Diagram: Power pack
The arrows are showing the way the conventional current goes. The conventional current goes from negative to positive. The actual current goes from positive to negative but when someone came up with the idea of the way current flows, he/she got it wrong.
Important Information: Triangle for Resistance:
Resistance is measured in Ohms. (?)
Current is measured in Amps. (A)
Potential difference is measured in Volts. (V)
Charge is measured in Coloumbs. (Q)
Energy is measured in Joules. (J)
Fair test: We will make this a fair test by taking 3 sets of each individual result, we take the totals from these results and work out the average. This will give us a fair result because the first couple of readings could be a total fluke. We will also try and keep the room temperature constant, Classroom temperature is approximately 23?C. We will also have to keep the voltage at our chosen 2 volts. We chose two volts for a safety reason, this reason is because any higher and it would probably burn the wire. Also the minimum length can be 30cm because if there is an accident and the switch nudges the volts up then a fire could start because there is very little resistance in the wire.
How is resistance affected in a wire?
Plan: In my investigation I will be finding out necessary factors that affect resistance in a wire. To do this I will be looking at different lengths of wire, different thickness and different materials. The three materials we will be using are Copper, Nichrome and Constantin. In the investigation I will take three sets of the same results and at least 6 measurements of wire being resisted. This way I can work out an average and also plot a graph.
Circuits: There are two types of circuits, parallel and series; in this instance we will be looking at the latter.
Equipment: Voltmeter.
Ammeter.
Power pack.
Crocodile clips.
Wire.
Different types of wires Length of wire.
Thickness.
Material.
Diagram: Power pack
The arrows are showing the way the conventional current goes. The conventional current goes from negative to positive. The actual current goes from positive to negative but when someone came up with the idea of the way current flows, he/she got it wrong.
Important Information: Triangle for Resistance:
Resistance is measured in Ohms. (?)
Current is measured in Amps. (A)
Potential difference is measured in Volts. (V)
Charge is measured in Coloumbs. (Q)
Energy is measured in Joules. (J)
Fair test: We will make this a fair test by taking 3 sets of each individual result, we take the totals from these results and work out the average. This will give us a fair result because the first couple of readings could be a total fluke. We will also try and keep the room temperature constant, Classroom temperature is approximately 23?C. We will also have to keep the voltage at our chosen 2 volts. We chose two volts for a safety reason, this reason is because any higher and it would probably burn the wire. Also the minimum length can be 30cm because if there is an accident and the switch nudges the volts up then a fire could start because there is very little resistance in the wire.
