Measuring the Resistivity of Copper Wire of Different Lengths
Measuring the Resistivity of Copper Wire of Different Lengths
In this report I will be writing about the experiment I will conduct on copper wire of different lengths. The dependent variable I will be measuring is the resistance of the Copper wire. To do this experiment, one needs to obtain measurements with a high degree of accuracy, taking care of the equipment they use and measuring each value to a certain degree of accuracy for all results. The problem with measuring the resistivity of Copper wire is due to the properties of copper as a material. Copper naturally has a low resistance due to it being a superconductor, meaning that it only has a resistance of minute amounts. As it has this property, it is important to use a copper wire specimen that is long enough and thin enough to have an appreciable resistance. The normal value for the resistivity of copper is about 10-8Ωm. A 1m length of copper wire with a cross sectional area of 1mm² (10-6m²) can be predicted to have a resistance of 0.01Ω. This can be calculated by using the resistance formula of:
R=ρlA≈ 10-8 Ωm x 1m10-6m2=10-2Ω The wire I will use is going to be thinner than this and will vary in length from 0.2-1.0 metres with a difference of 0.2m from the previous wire specimen. In total I will have 5 different lengths.
Apparatus:
* Voltmeter- Accuracy stated as (± 0.5% Read. + 1dgt) in the user manual * Ammeter- Accuracy stated as (± 1.2% Read. + 1dgt) in the user manual * Battery Supply of 6V * Copper Wire * 1m Ruler in cm * Scissors * Electrical Wires * Crocodile clips * Micrometer
Method:
The following procedure described below is how I intend to gain my results: 1. I will measure out the different lengths of copper wire I intend to use using a millimetre ruler to gain the most accurate results I can. 2. Once the lengths are cut, the diameter of the copper wire I am using must be measured. To gain the most accurate result, I will use a micrometer and measure the
In this report I will be writing about the experiment I will conduct on copper wire of different lengths. The dependent variable I will be measuring is the resistance of the Copper wire. To do this experiment, one needs to obtain measurements with a high degree of accuracy, taking care of the equipment they use and measuring each value to a certain degree of accuracy for all results. The problem with measuring the resistivity of Copper wire is due to the properties of copper as a material. Copper naturally has a low resistance due to it being a superconductor, meaning that it only has a resistance of minute amounts. As it has this property, it is important to use a copper wire specimen that is long enough and thin enough to have an appreciable resistance. The normal value for the resistivity of copper is about 10-8Ωm. A 1m length of copper wire with a cross sectional area of 1mm² (10-6m²) can be predicted to have a resistance of 0.01Ω. This can be calculated by using the resistance formula of:
R=ρlA≈ 10-8 Ωm x 1m10-6m2=10-2Ω The wire I will use is going to be thinner than this and will vary in length from 0.2-1.0 metres with a difference of 0.2m from the previous wire specimen. In total I will have 5 different lengths.
Apparatus:
* Voltmeter- Accuracy stated as (± 0.5% Read. + 1dgt) in the user manual * Ammeter- Accuracy stated as (± 1.2% Read. + 1dgt) in the user manual * Battery Supply of 6V * Copper Wire * 1m Ruler in cm * Scissors * Electrical Wires * Crocodile clips * Micrometer
Method:
The following procedure described below is how I intend to gain my results: 1. I will measure out the different lengths of copper wire I intend to use using a millimetre ruler to gain the most accurate results I can. 2. Once the lengths are cut, the diameter of the copper wire I am using must be measured. To gain the most accurate result, I will use a micrometer and measure the