Introduction

Title: Investigation on the resistance of the wire Variables spider diagram iameter of wire Temperature !urrent Voltage of battery Resistance of wire Length of wire

V"I # R Introduction: Resistance is the ratio of current and potential difference across a wire. Resistance can also tell us how difficult it can be to push an electric current through a component. In this investigation a circuit was created to investigate the changes in resistance by using different lengths of wire. $attery with a voltage of %.&V Variable resistor Ammeter

'ichrome wire with a diameter of (.)*mm

Voltmeter

Design
Aim How does the length of the wire affect the resistance of the circuit.

iscussion of variables +variables table,

Variables Table
Variable Wire length Type Independent
How will you change it and what range of values will you use?

we will change the length of the wire by connecting the crocodile clips at different points in the wire

Variable Wire resistance

Type Dependent

How will you measure it as accurately as possible?

We will measure the resistance of the wire by using a ammeter and a voltmeter

Variable temperature

Type !ontrol

How will you keep it constant (state set values ?

We will add a resistor to the circuit and keep the current low" The lower the current the lower the temperature of the wire We will use the same wire through the investigation# the wire has a diameter of $"%&mm

Diameter of wire

!ontrol

Voltage of battery

!ontrol

We will use the same battery through the investigation" The voltage of the battery is '"(V

)aterial of wire

!ontrol

The material of the wire that we will use through the investigation is nicklechrome

!ontrol

-rediction +s.etch graph and e/planation, I predict that as the length of the wire is increased the resistance will also increase. I believe this will happen because the longer electricity travels through the wire the more electrons that will be used when traveling.

Apparatus list % battery +voltage of %.&, 0 insulation wires % 'ic.lechrome wire + 1(cm long (.)*mm diameter , % variable resistor % ammeter % voltmeter * crocodile clips % ruler iagram +2ey dimensions 3 apparatus labelled clearly,

 %. *. ). 7. &. 0. 9. 1. ;.

Instructions +numbered list4 step by step, 5et up the apparatus as shown in the diagram 6se the rule to measure %(cm on the nic.elchrome wire !onnect two crocodile clips to the insulating wires used to connect to the nic.lechrome wire !onnect the clips to the two ends of the length of wire being used Record the voltage and current of the circuit 6se the formula V 8 I"R to find the resistance Repeat steps ):0 two more time to gain repeat results Add all three resistances together and divide the sum by three to find the average Repeat the whole procedure si/ more times adding %(cm more to the length of the wire each time

Data Collection & Processing

Results +table4 <uantities 3 units, Len volta current resista volta curre gth ge % % nce % ge * nt * +cm, +V, 8 +I,8amp + R , 8 +V, 8 +I, volts eres =hms volts 8amp eres %( *( )( (.%; (.)) (.&7 (.)( (.*0 (.*9 (.0) %.*9 *.(( (.%1 (.)9 (.&* (.)7 (.*; (.*9 resista nce * +R,8 =hms (.&) %.*1 %.;) volta ge ) +V, 8 volts (.*( (.); (.&7 current ) +I,8amp eres (.)) (.)( (.*9 resista nce ) +R,8 =hms (.0% %.)( *.(( avera ge resista nce + R ,8= hms (.&; %.*1 %.;1

7( &( 0( 9(

(.00 (.01 (.09 (.9%

(.*& (.*( (.%0 (.%&

*.07 ).7( 7.%; 7.9)

(.01 (.00 (.09 (.90

(.*0 (.*( (.%0 (.%0

*.0* ).)( 7.%; 7.9&

(.01 (.0( (.09 (.91

(.*0 (.%1 (.%0 (.%9

*.0* ).)) 7.%; 7.&;

*.0) ).)7 7.%; 7.0;

Analysis +graphs and e/ample calculations,

>/ample calculation to find the resistance of the wire: voltage 8 current" resistance (.*(8(.))"(.0%=hms

Conclusion & Evaluation

!onclusion +what have you found out, In this investigation I learned that to increase the resistance of a circuit you must increase the length of the wire. ?hen the length of the wire is increased more electricity is used so that the current can go through the wire. This means that the voltage will increase as well. The gradient in the graph shown above is proportional as it goes through (4( and is straight. The graph also has a positive correlation. $ased on the prediction made earlier I do believe the statement that @when the length of the wire is increased the resistance increases as wellA is correct. >valuation +what caused errors in your data and how could you reduce them, There were a small amount of errors in the in vestigation. This was mainly due to human error and the imprecision of the apparatuses used in the investigation4 such as the voltmeter and ammeter. -ossible sources of human error may have been the incorrect lengths of wire used4 as well as the crocodile clips not being secured on to the wire tightly. Incorrect lengths of ire were used as only a ruler was used to measure length. =ne of the main problems faced during the investigation was that

the voltmeter and ammeter would have constantly changing results. To improve the results of the investigation I would suggest wrapping the nic.lechrome wire around the crocodile clips. +see diagram %,

+ iagram %,