Investigating the Resistance of a Wire

Investigating the Resistance of a Wire

The aim of this investigation is to see how the length of a wire

affects its resistance.

Background knowledge

To make current flow through a conductor, there must be a potential

difference (voltage) across it. As the current continues to flow there

are certain factors which increase the resistance;

Length of wire: as the length increases there will be a higher

percentage of fixed atoms, therefore the electrons carrying the charge

will collide more frequently, increasing the resistance Surface Area

of wire- As you increase the surface area of a wire the resistance

will decrease because the electrons will be able to travel by many

different routes making the conduction

easier.

Type of conductor- If the wire is a good conductor of electricity then

the resistance will be less because the electrons are able to flow

through the wire avoiding as many collisions with the positive

protons.

Temperature- As the temperature increases, the resistance also

increases because as the wire heats up the protons start vibrating and