Rosie Oliver Physics 10T2/10U1
Investigating the factors that affect resistance
Introduction:
In our current physics lessons we are studying resistance. Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrons that is current. The resistance is caused by the electrons colliding with the metal atoms. The more collisions, the greater the resistance. There are more collisions when there are more metal atoms, therefore the denser the metallic material in which the current is flowing, the more resistance there is. When electrons collide with the metal atoms, the atoms absorb the kinetic energy from the electrons and therefore vibrate faster. The electrons lose kinetic energy in this transfer and so go slower. Therefore the atoms will become hot, making the whole metallic material so. The increased vibrations of the atoms due to the extra heat energy and the extra kinetic energy make it harder for the electrons to get past, causing more collisions and increasing resistance. This process keeps repeating itself.
