To investigate how the electrical resistance of a wire changes in relationship to its length.

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Physics Investigation Of Resistance

Aim:

         To investigate how the electrical resistance of a wire changes in relationship to its length.

Prediction:

                   I predict that as the length of the wire increases so will the resistance of it. I also predict that the rate at which the resistance of the wire increases will be directly proportional to the length that is increased each time.

Hypothesis:

                     As the length of the wire is increased, the number of collisions between the current carrying charged particles and with the fixed particles also increases.  Therefore the value for the resistance of the wire becomes higher.

Variables:

                  In this investigation the only factor that will change is the length of the wire.

Fair test:

               The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the change of resistance with different lengths of wire, therefore there is only one variable. The following factors must be kept the same each time in order for the investigation to be fair and to achieve accurate results.              

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  • The surrounding room temperature should be kept constant, as an increase in temperature will cause the particles to move faster. This will affect the resistance.
  • The same type of wire must be used each time to ensure that the cross sectional area and material as different materials have different conductivity.
  • The current passed through the wire must also be kept the same, as a change will make the results hard to interpret.

Apparatus:

  • Wire over 50cms in length
  • 2 batteries
  • 6 connecting wires
  • 1 crocodile clip
  • Voltmeter
  • Ammeter
  • Rheostat

Method: ...

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