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>.

Activity #2: Electrical Components and Its Functions

No.	Name	Picture	Function
1.	Compass		Shows direction in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth
2.	Resistor		Reduces the electric current
3.	Rheostat		Controls the resistance in an electrical circuit without bothering the circuit
4.	Galvanometer		Measures electric current intensity
5.	Multi meter		Measures the value of resistor, diode, and transistor and measure the value of circuit
6.	Banana connector		Enables electrical connection between the wire to the equipment
7.	Switch		Opens or closes and electrical circuit
8.	Light bulb		Turns electrical energy into light
9.	Electromagnetic coil		Makes magnetic field when electricity is present
10.	Light dependent resistor		Changes brightness of a light in different weather condition
11.	Crocodile clip		Temporarily holds connections together for testing or soldering
12.	Light emitting diode		Passes and electrical current over a semiconductor chip
13.	Power supply		Converts AC power into DC power
14.	Magnet		Shows magnetic field lines
15.	Dry cell		Converts chemical energy into electrical energy

Activity #1: How Is Electricity Generated and Transmitted?

How is electricity generated?

There are a few ways to generate electricity.

1.    By moving a magnet around a conductor

2.    By putting two different conductors into salt water

3.    By touching two different conductors together and shining light on them

4.    Spinning magnet around a coil of wire

A generator produces electricity. The simple generator can be just by spinning magnet around a coil of wire. There are different types of power used to generate electricity. However, all of them, except for solar power, involve spinning wire between magnets. The examples are steam turbine generator, gas turbine generator, and nuclear power. To produce big electricity, we need large generators. Large generators are located in this place called power plants.

1. Steam turbine generator: Steam will be heated until a temperature of 1,000°F. This steam will then turn the turbines in the generator.

2. Gas turbine generator: air is compressed and mixed with fuel. The fuel is burn and the mixture of air and fuel will move its way through the turbine blades, making it spin. The spinning turbine will turn the generator.

3. Nuclear power: Uranium will release neutrons that will hit other uranium atoms, which will make them split and release heat. This heat will then produce steam that will turn the turbine in the generator.

4. Solar power: A special solar panel called photovoltaic cells contains silicon. This panel will produce electricity when it receives sunlight.

How is electricity transmitted?

Here is how electricity goes from power plants to our homes.

1.    Electricity is produced in power plants. Power plants produce electricity of about 25,000 volts.

2.   Electricity will then go to a transformer, which will boost the voltage up to 400.000 volts. With high voltage, the electricity can be transferred more efficiently.

3.    Then, the power lines go to substations. Substations are usually near business area, factories or homes. In a substation, there is another transformer. Here, the transformer change the voltage from very high to low.

4.    In the electricity pole, there is another little transformer. This transformer will reduce the voltage of the electricity again, to about 220 volts for large tools and 110 volts for small appliances.

Bibliography:

"How Is Electricity Generated." How Is Electricity Generated. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://www.electricityforum.com/how-is-electricity-generated.html>.

"How do we make Electricity? - The Children's University of Manchester." How do we make Electricity? - The Children's University of Manchester. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. <http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/energy/electricity/>.

"How a Gas Turbine Works." - Renewable Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ge-flexibility.com/power-generation-basics/how-a-gas-turbine-works/index.html>.

“Steam Turbines:A look into how a steam turbine functions.” University of Notre Dame. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.

http://www3.nd.edu/~techrev/Archive/Fall2001/a5.html

"The Energy Story - Chapter 7: Electricity Transmission System." The Energy Story - Chapter 7: Electricity Transmission System. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. <http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter07.html>.

A little too much....

My parents love me. They love me so much. They really care for me. They protect me, but sometimes I think they protect me too much.

I'm 13 (for now). I'm still in middle school. I'm young. I'm alive (thank God). I wanna have fun, go out with my friends, get crazy, get wild, party, live life! of course I have limitations. I broke one. I guess that's one of the reason my parents are getting more protective over me.

But still, I want to go out. Have fun, play around, be young!

So, let me tell a little story...

There's this place in my neighborhood. It's about 2-3 blocks away from where I live, about 10-15 minutes walk (yes, I walk fast). It's a little mini mart-mini cafe sort of place. You can sit there, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, smoke and have some snacks from the mart. You can also bring your laptop there and browse till the place closes because they have wifi there. Cool kids usually go there every Friday, but I see some of em on other days too. It's comfortable, to me. I can see people I know well, people I don't know well, people I adore, people I dislike, people who are interesting and even people who are so not interesting.

I like going there. I like seeing people. Though I don't talk to them and it's just freaking awkward to look at people without actually talking to them, I like doing it. These people.... they're different. I don't see those people everyday. I guess that's why I like it. Seeing something different.

I don't understand why my mom won't let me go there often. I mean, it's not so far from my house. I can walk there. She can take me there with a car. My uncle can take me there with a motorcycle. I can go with the "motorcycle-taxi". It's not such a big deal.

I mean like, it's been a tough year. I just want to spend the rest of my time here with friends here. I know I can't join any squads or other communities but...at least I can meet friends there often, get it?

If ya don't get it, well.... okay. If you do, I hope you realized what I've been going through. This is not the end, this is just the beginning. If I don't go out much, it's because I'm obeying my parents. I can run away, I have the ability to do that. But I chose not to. I don't want to cause more problems with my family.

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