When the length of wire increases then the resistance will also increase in proportion to the length.

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The Resistance of a Wire

AT1

15th February 2002

AT1

The Resistance Of A Wire.

Planning.

Prediction.

        I predict that when the length of wire increases then the resistance will also increase in proportion to the length.

I predict this because as the wire gets longer there are more atoms and so it is more likely that the electrons are going to collide with the atoms. So therefore, if the length of the wire is doubled then resistance should also double. This is because if the length of wire doubles then the number of atoms doubles causing twice the amount of collisions, slowing down the electrons and increasing the amount of resistance. My graph should show that the length is proportional to the resistance.

If  the temperature of the wire is kept the same, the resistance will change with the length, area and material. Length and area are connected with the number and size of molecules in the wire, these can easily be investigated.  The resistivity is much harder because it involves molecules and atoms, which come in different numbers and density as well as the structure they are packed in. The material cant be used as a variable.

References

Letts KS4 revision guide.

Co-ordinated science, Physics.

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Electricity in the Home.

Method

For my test, I have chosen to take a range of 5 lengths. I have chosen a range of 5 so that I can plot an accurate graph. I have also chosen to repeat each test 3 times and then make an average for each length. I will do this so if I get any anomalous results then they will not be noticed when I plot the graph. I have chosen the lengths : 0cm , 15cm , 30cm , 45cm and 60cm. I chose these lengths because the ruler can easily measure them ...

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