Week 11 PHY Apply – KS5 Virtual Lab Book Core Practical 2

Task 1: Results
Length (m) Resistance (Ω)

0.1 2.8

0.2 3.9

0.3 5.1

0.4 6.2

0.5 7.6

0.6 8.7

0.7 9.8

0.8 11.4

0.9 11.9

Diameter of the wire (mm):

0.234 0.233 0.234 Average = 0.234

Task 2: Analysis of results –

1. y2 – y1 / x2 – x1 11.9 – 2.8 / 0.9 – 0.1
9.1 / 0.8 = 11.4

m = 11.4

2. Use your value of m and the diameter d to determine a value for the resistivity ρ of the
metal. Use ρ = mA where A is the cross-sectional area of the wire.

Cross sectional area – (πd^2)/4

d = 0.234mm to m = 0.000234m

(πd^2)/4 = [π(2.34x10^-4)^2]/4 = 4.3x10^-8 m^2

ρ = mA ρ = (4.3x10^-8)(11.4) = 4.9x10^-7 Ωm

3. Determine a value for the uncertainty in your values for the gradient and A.
Hence calculate the uncertainty in your value for the resistivity.
There’s no uncertainty in my values and also for resistivity.
4. Look up a value for ρ from two different sources; one should be online and one
from elsewhere. Use the uncertainties you calculated to comment on your
measurements.
Accepted value of constantan is 4.9 x 10^-7 Ω·m which is the same value that I got so
therefore my prediction of 0% uncertainty was correct.

5. Explain why your graph does not pass through the origin.
 My graph doesn’t pass through the origin because it starts at (0.1, 2.8) and if the line
continued straight then it still wouldn’t pass through the origin but somewhere near 2
ohms but 0m in length.

Task: 3

1. Explain how you might change the apparatus to calculate your value for the
resistivity with greater resolution.
If they used a multimeter that reads to 2 significant figures, using a voltmeter
and an ammeter that reads to three significant figures would provide greater resolution and better
accuracy.

2. Explain why plotting a graph improves your accuracy.

It makes it easier to spot anomalies and is a good way of finding an average.
3. Explain why you need to use a wire to find the resistivity of a metal and explain what
shape of sample would be suitable for a plastic.
The resistance is measurable and not very small. For an insulator such as a plastic, the sample
should be quite thick and short so that the resistance is again measurable. This is difficult for
a good insulating material.
4. Identify the sources of uncertainty in this experiment. Consider the accuracy
(percentage difference) of your result and comment on the effect the uncertainties
might have had.
The sources of uncertainty were the; contact resistance between the wire and plug; crocodile
clip and wire at the 0 mark; the resistance between the crocodile clip and wire at the 0 end of
the wire. These all shift the line of best fit but don’t really affect the gradient so the accuracy
shouldn’t be affected greatly.
5. Explain why the current through the wire should be small.
The wire must not heat up as resistivity is dependent on the temperature.