Resistance Of The Wire example essay topic

Physics GCSE Coursework AT 1 Investigation Resistance of a wire How does the resistance of a wire change when it get's longer? Prediction My prediction is that the longer the wire, the higher the resistance, because it takes more energy going through the wire. During the experiment what exactly will i measure? In the experiment i will measure the resistance of the wire. Fair test The variables which i am going to keep the same in the experiment are going to be the type of wire and also the thickness of the wire. Variables i am going to change I am going to change the length of the wire.

What apparatus will i need? Ruler-to measure the length of the wire - quantity 1 Battery-to give the current energy - quantity 2 Wire-to carrie the current - quantity 1 Volt-to measure the voltage - quantity 1 Ammeter-to measure the current - quantity 1 The electrons flow through the wire and carry the electrical charge. Thick wire has moved spaces between the atoms = Low Resistance. Long wire means the electrons use up more energy when they travel through wire = High Resistance. Current passes easily through a piece of copper connecting wire, but it doesn't pass so easily through the thin nichrome wire of an electric fire element. This wire has much more resistance.

Energy has to be spent to force electrons through it, and heat comes off as a result. All conductors have some resistance, but: - Long wires have more resistance than short wires, Thin wires hav more resistance then thick wires, Nichrome wire has more resistance then copper wire of the same size. Resistance is calculated using this equation: Resistance = Voltage Current My scientific reasons to explain my results. Do my results agree with my prediction? If not, give reasons to explain why. Yes, my results agree with my prediction, i predicted that the longer the wire, the higher the resistance.

This is because it takes more energy going through the wire. My Evaluation Did i carry out a fair test? if not, explain what problems. Yes, i did carry out a fair test, i used the same wire all the time, i used the same thickness. The only problem i encounter was that the wire got hot, but apart from the wire getting hot i had no other problems with this investigation.

I worked well and i completed the experiment in the time given. Ways the improve the investigation To improve the investigation i would have used a digital meter instead of a analog meter as a digital meter is more accurate, i also could have improved the investigation if i was to use different types of wire and i would take more readings.