Activity #3: Wire Resistivity (Lab Report)

Aim:

Our aim is to see the relationship between the length, area, and density of a wire and its resistance.

Hypothesis:

1.    If a wire length increases, then the resistance will increase.

2.  If a wire area increases, then the resistance will decrease.

3.   If a wire density increases, then the resistance will increase.

Theory Background

Resistance is the objection of a current in a circuit.  Resistance is measured in Ohm (Ω). The most common way to find resistance is by dividing the voltage of the circuit (V) to its current (I). Another way to calculate the resistance of a circuit is by dividing the product of the density (ρ) and length (L) of wire to it’s cross sectional area (A).

Manipulative Variables:

·      Independent: Length, area, and density of wire

·      Dependent: Change in resistance

·      Controllable: The formula

Materials:

·      Formula

Method:

1.    Open the simulation website

2.  Run the simulation online

3.   Try increasing and decreasing the measurement of wire length, area, and density

4.  Observe the change in resistance

5.  Make a conclusion from the observation

Data:

Increasing the wire length

Increasing the wire area

Increasing the wire density

Analysis:

From the data above, we can see that the resistance will increase when we also increase the length and density of wire. However, the resistance will decrease when we increase the area of wire.

Conclusion:

So, our hypothesis is correct. It is true that when the length and density increase, the resistance will increase as well; and when the area increases, the resistance will decrease.

Resources:

"Resistance in a Wire 2.02." Resistance in a Wire 2.02. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. <http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/resistance-in-a-wire/resistance-in-a-wire_en.html>.