Physics Lab Report

Adnaan Thakur
Resistance of Wire
Aim To investigate the change in resistance as a result of changing diameter of
a resistance wire.
Background Information The resistance of a wire depends on various factors. In
this case, the resistance is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the wire.
The cross-sectional area of the wire is determined by the formula, r2. The
diameter is twice the radius, 2r = d. Therefore the formula for the cross-sectional
area can be re-written as (d/2)2. As a result we can determine that the crosssectional area is proportional to the 1/4th the square of the diameter.
Hypothesis In my opinion the resistance of the wire with biggest cross-sectional
area will be the greatest. This is because the amount of atoms and particles in
the wire will increase, creating a greater number of obstacles that the electron
will come into contact with, reducing their rate of flow.
Variables
Independent Variable The Diameter of the Wire
Dependent Variable The Resistance of the Wire
Controlled Variable
Variable
Temperature of Wire

Material of Connecting
Wires

Length of Resistance
Wire

Effect on Experiment
If the temperature of the
wire increases the atoms
in the wire will gain
energy and move around
more within the wire,
making the resistance
higher than it would
normally be.
If the material of the
connecting wires change
for each trial, then the
effective resistance of
the circuit will also
increase, which will
change the resistance
that is calculated for the
resistance wire.
If the length of the
resistance wire is
different for each wire,
then the effect of
changing diameter on
the resistance could not

Method of Control
Use the Air Conditioning
Unit to keep the
temperature constant.
Room Temperature,
approx. 25C

The same connecting

wires and crocodile clips
were used for each trial.
Copper

The length was fixed at

one meter, so that
length does not affect
resistance.

be determined, as the
length of the wire is also
a factor that affects
resistance.
If the length of the
resistance wire is
different for each wire,
then the effect of
changing diameter on
the resistance could not
be determined, as the
length of the wire is also
a factor that affects
resistance.

Length of Connecting
Wire

The same connecting

wires were used
throughout the
experiment, which
ensured that the wires
were of the same length.

Apparatus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1m Wires Diameters of 0.35mm, 0.38mm and 0.40mm

Connecting Copper Wires
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Battery Eliminator

Raw Data Table

Wire 1
Diameter 1
Diameter 2
Diameter 3
Average
Diameter

Wire 2

Length/
0.4mm
0.36
0.35
0.33
0.35

Wire 3
Diameter 1
Diameter 2
Diameter 3
Average
Current/AmpsDiameter
0.34
Current/Amps
0.2
0.13
0.11
0.37
Current/Amps
Diameter of Wire =
0.36
0.35mm
0.3
0.2
0.16
0.13
Diameter of Wire =
0.38mm

Diameter 1
Diameter 2
Diameter 3
Average
Diameter

Length/
0.4mm
0.40
0.38
0.37
0.38

Length/
0.4mm
0.40
0.38
0.41
0.40
Voltage/Volts
0.48
Voltage/Volts
0.29
0.21
0.17
0.55
Voltage/Volts
Average Resistance
0.49
=
0.41
0.27
0.22
0.18
Average Resistance
=

Resistance/Ohms
1.41
Resistance/Ohms
1.42
1.62
1.55
1.49
Resistance/Ohms
1.50
1.36
1.37
1.35
1.38
1.38
1.37

Formulae
Area = (d/2)2
Resistance = Voltage/Current
Sample Calculation:Cross-Sectional Area = (0.35/2)2 = 0.096mm2
Resistance = 0.48/0.34 = 1.41
Graph

The graph above clearly shows the relationship between the diameter of the
cross-section of the wire and the resistance. As the diameter, and therefore the
area, increases the resistance that the flow of electrons experiences becomes
greater. This seems to be because of the increased amount of atoms present in
the increased area of the wires which provides new obstacles for the electrons
that are flowing.
Error Analysis
Error Source

Error Type

Heating Effect of

Random Error

Effect on
Experiment
If the wire heats

Improvement
The wire should

Resistance

Uncertainty in
Micrometer

Systematic Error

Uncertainty in
Ruler

Systematic Error

up after many
trials as a result
of resistance,
then the value for
obtained for the
current will
decrease
The uncertainty in
the micrometer
may result in two
wires being of the
same diameter
which may result
in readings being
similar for two
different trials
The uncertainty in
the ruler would
change the length
of the wire, which
would affect the
resistance. This
would ensure that
the diameter is
not the only
factor affecting
the resistance

continually be
disconnected in
order to ensure
that temperature
does not rise

Conclusion
The graph clearly shows the relationship between the two variables that have
been investigated. As the diameter of the wire increases, the resistance of the
wire decreases i.e. they have an inversely proportional relationship. Although
there are other factors that had played a role in determining the final resistance
that I obtained, we can assume that the change in diameter had the greatest
effect on the magnitude of the resistance.