Vectors

Resistance in a Wire Investigation

Aim
To see if increasing the length of a nichrome wire increases the resistance

Prediction
The resistance will increase as the length of the wire increases,because the electrons have to travel more wire, this means they would collide more often through the wire and the electricity passing through will be slightly reduced.

Method and Diagram
1.Set up the circuit
2. Turn on the power pack with one length of the wire
3. Record the results
4. Repeat stages 2 and 3 until you reach approximately 1 meter of the wire

V
A

Equipment*
* 6 wires
* 2 crocodile clips
* 1 power pack
* 1 variable resistor
* 1 ammeter
* 1 voltmeter
* 1 ruler
* 1 nichrome wire

Fair Test
Change length of wireStays the same:
* Power pack voltage (6V)
* Type of wire (nichrome)
* Thickness of wire

Results
The results show how, as the length of the wire increases, the voltage also increases,not like the current, which decreases, leading to a decreasing resistance.
Length (cm) | V1 | V2 | Average Voltage | I1 | I2 | Average current | Resistance |
5 | 0.25 | 0.39 | 0.3245 | 0.25 | 0.25 |0.25 | 1.28 |
10 | 0.6 | 0.62 | 0.61 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 2.54 |
15 | 0.9 | 0.91 | 0.905 | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.21 | 4.31 |
20 | 1.1 | 1.08 | 1.09 | 0.2 | 0.21 | 0.205 | 5.32 |
25 | 1.38 | 1.38| 1.38 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.185 | 7.46 |
30 | 1.5 | 1.49 | 1.495 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 9.34 |
35 | 1.78 | 1.77 | 1.775 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 11.1 |
40 | 1.9 | 1.92 | 1.91 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 |12.7 |
45 | 2.05 | 2.03 | 2.04 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 14.6 |
50 | 2.19 | 2.2 | 2.195 | 0.14 | 0.13 | 0.135 | 16.3 |
55 | 2.21 | 2.19 | 2.2 | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.135 | 16.3 |
60 | 2.3 | 2.27 | 2.285| 0.125 | 0.12 | 0.1225 | 18.7 |
65 | 2.42 | 2.46 | 2.44 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.115 | 22.2 |
70 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.54 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 23.1 |
75 | 2.58 | 2.54 | 2.56 | 0.11 | 0.1 | 0.105 |...