What effects the flow of current in the wire?
AIM
In my investigation is aim to see how the length of a wire will affect the flow of current through the wire.
PREDICTION
I predict that if the length increases then the resistance will also increase in proportion to the length. I think this because the longer the wire the more atoms and so the more likely the electrons are going to collide with the atoms. So if the length is doubled the resistance should also double. This is because if the length is doubled the number of atoms will also double resulting in twice the number of collisions slowing the electrons down and increasing the resistance.
If the length of the wire is only half the length of the wire there should be half the number of collisions between the electrons and the atoms.
If the wire is twice the length there should be twice the number of atoms resulting in twice as many collisions and I also predict the doubling of resistance.
Scientific Knowledge
Current
An electric current is a flow of charged particles. In a metal conductor these charges are electrons, which are part of the metal atoms and are able to move if they are given energy from a power supply. An ammeter is used to measure current; the unit of current is called an ampere or amp (A). The current readings on all the ammeters will be the same, so no current is used up in the flowing round the circuit. The current flowing into the bulb is the same as the current flowing out of it. In a parallel circuit the same rule applies, current is not 'lost'. It is only a flow of charges travelling slowly around the circuit, rather like water flowing through connected pipes.
Current and Charge
All materials are made up of atoms, and all atoms are made up of charges. The number of charged particles needed to make a current flow in 1 amp is; 6.2 x 10 charged electrons need to flow in 1 sec, so this is called 1 coulomb.
When a current of 1 amp is on the ammeter it means, that 1 coulomb of charge passes through the ammeter in 1 sec. So 0.5 amps mean 0.5 coulomb per second.
Q=I X T
Or
CHARGE=CURRENT X TIME
Resistance
A resistor is used to control or reduce the current in a circuit. The simplest form of resistor is a thin wire place in a circuit. The greater the resistance of the wire, the smaller the current will flow.
AIM
In my investigation is aim to see how the length of a wire will affect the flow of current through the wire.
PREDICTION
I predict that if the length increases then the resistance will also increase in proportion to the length. I think this because the longer the wire the more atoms and so the more likely the electrons are going to collide with the atoms. So if the length is doubled the resistance should also double. This is because if the length is doubled the number of atoms will also double resulting in twice the number of collisions slowing the electrons down and increasing the resistance.
If the length of the wire is only half the length of the wire there should be half the number of collisions between the electrons and the atoms.
If the wire is twice the length there should be twice the number of atoms resulting in twice as many collisions and I also predict the doubling of resistance.
Scientific Knowledge
Current
An electric current is a flow of charged particles. In a metal conductor these charges are electrons, which are part of the metal atoms and are able to move if they are given energy from a power supply. An ammeter is used to measure current; the unit of current is called an ampere or amp (A). The current readings on all the ammeters will be the same, so no current is used up in the flowing round the circuit. The current flowing into the bulb is the same as the current flowing out of it. In a parallel circuit the same rule applies, current is not 'lost'. It is only a flow of charges travelling slowly around the circuit, rather like water flowing through connected pipes.
Current and Charge
All materials are made up of atoms, and all atoms are made up of charges. The number of charged particles needed to make a current flow in 1 amp is; 6.2 x 10 charged electrons need to flow in 1 sec, so this is called 1 coulomb.
When a current of 1 amp is on the ammeter it means, that 1 coulomb of charge passes through the ammeter in 1 sec. So 0.5 amps mean 0.5 coulomb per second.
Q=I X T
Or
CHARGE=CURRENT X TIME
Resistance
A resistor is used to control or reduce the current in a circuit. The simplest form of resistor is a thin wire place in a circuit. The greater the resistance of the wire, the smaller the current will flow.
