Wire Resistence Practical

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Physics Assessed Practical

James Highmore

Planning

        Resistance slows the current in a circuit. The formula is as follows:

        This means that:

        Therefore, to calculate resistance, the potential difference and current need to be known. Potential difference is measured in Volts with a Voltmeter. Current is measured in Amperes (or Amps as they are more commonly known) with an Ammeter. Resistance is measured in Ohms (Ω).

        At atomic level, resistance is the action of atoms vibrating in the wire, blocking the flow of electrons. In effect, resistance is a “bottleneck”. The diagram below illustrates this:

        

        On their journey, the electrons do not have a clear path because of the atoms in the way. This slows them down.

        I predict that as the length of the wire increases, so does the resistance. This is because, as the length of wire increases, the number of atoms in the wire will increase too. This means that the electrons’ route will be obstructed even more. Another way of saying this is that the length of the wire is proportional to the resistance.

        Proportionality can be seen in a results table when both sets of results increase. A proportional graph looks like follows (note the line of best fit should go straight through the origin):

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        Below is a diagram of the circuit I will set up:

- Ammeter                                - Adjustable Length Wire

 

            - Voltmeter                               - Variable Resistor

           

                

        This circuit will show how the resistance changes with the ...

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