Experiment on Electrical Resistance

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Experiment on Electrical Resistance

The electrical resistance of a material is its opposition to the flow

of electric current (slowing the flow of electrons down). Resistance

occurs when the electrons travelling along the wire collide with the

atoms of the wire. These collisions slow down the flow of electrons

causing resistance. Resistance is a measure of how hard it is to move

the electrons through the wire.

A current is the rate of the flow of charge (electrons) and the

resistance controls the amount of current flowing. If we want to

calculate the current flowing through the circuit, we need to know how

much resistance it has. A resistor that has a large resistance only

allows a small current through it and a small resistance allows a

large current through. Resistors are usually long coils of wire, or

small pieces of material that do not conduct electricity very well,

therefore the conductivity of the metals affect resistance. As the

potential difference (voltage) between the ends of conductor is

increased the current passing through it increases. If the temperature

of the conductor doesn't change, the current that flows is

proportional to the voltage applied. This is called Ohms Law.

Ohms Law= Potential Difference x Current or

Potential Difference = resistance x current or

The unit of resistance is measured in Ohms (W).

Measuring Resistance

The voltage across the resistor is measured using the voltmeter. The

current flowing through the resistor is measured using the ammeter.

The resistance can then be calculated using the formula: Resistance =

Voltage

Current

The width, length, material and temperature are factors, which affect

the resistance of a wire.

Temperature: If the wire is heated up the atoms in the wire will start

to vibrate because of their increase in energy. This causes more

collisions between the electrons and the atoms as the atoms are moving

into the path of the electrons. This increase in collisions means that

there will be an increase in resistance.

Material: The type of material will affect the amount of free

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