THERMISTOR

2 0 2 0 / 1 4 4 2
 :Objectives
 To investigate the temperature dependence of a non-
linear resistance.
 To measure the exponential temperature coefficient of
resistance β.

:Apparatus
• Two thermistors
• DC power supply
• Digital multi-meters (DMM)
• banana plugs wire connections and a thermometer.
:Theory
The change in resistance (Δ R) of a substance is proportional to the change in
temperature (Δ T).

Metals have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (increase in

resistance with an increase in temperature).

Some materials, such as Carbon, have negative temperature coefficient of

resistance (decrease in resistance with an increase in temperature). Materials
with large negative temperature coefficients called thermistors.
 Thermistor
. A thermistor is thermally sensitive resistor made of semiconducting materials
such as oxides of Nickel and Cobalt.

 Unlike common metal conductors, for a thermistor, the change of a resistance

with a change of temperature is not linear. The temperature dependence of the
resistance for a thermistor is given by an exponential function

Where Ra is the resistance at room temperature, T is the temperature in Kelvin,

β is the exponential temperature coefficient of resistance, and the relation
between the temperature in kelvins and Celsius is given by
T (K) = 273+ T (ºC)
 NTC
PTC
Negative Temperature Coefficient
Positive Temperature Coefficient
(NTC thermistor is one in which the
(PTC thermistor is one in which the resistance
resistance decreases with an increase in
increases with an increase in temperature)
temperature)
 Experimental Procedures:
Connect the circuit shown in the figure.
Record the resistance of the thermistor at room temperature.
Ra = ………..……
Boil the water and place the thermistor cable in the water.
Turn off the heater; record the temperature of the thermistor and
its resistance and fill their values in the table.
Plot ln (R / Ra) vs (1 / T), and find the slope of the straight line and
deduce the value of the exponential temperature coefficient of
resistance β.
RESULTS
NTC   Ra =6150 Ω , Ta=18.3ºC = 291.3 K

Ln() (Ω) R(Ω) T(K) T(ºC)

530   80
790   70
1110   60
1600   50
2230   40
3500   30
4540     25

𝜷=𝒔𝒍𝒑𝒐𝒆=…………
  ………………… ………………… …………