OCR (A) specifications: 5.2.

1h,i,j,k,l,m,q

Chapter 10
Resistance and resistivity
Worksheet
Worked examples
Practical 1: The I/V characteristics of components
Practical 2: The effect of temperature on the resistance
of a thermistor
Practical 3: Identifying a material from its resistivity
End-of-chapter test
Marking scheme: Worksheet
Marking scheme: End-of-chapter test

Worksheet
Intermediate level
1
2
3
4

Define electrical resistance.

[1]

State Ohms law.

[1]

Write a word equation for the resistance of a length of metal wire in terms of
the resistivity of the metal, the length of the wire and its cross-sectional area.

[1]

A component is connected to a d.c. supply. The supply has negligible internal

resistance. At 6.0 V, the current in the component is 0.023 A. When the p.d. is
doubled, the current in the component increases to 0.100 A.
a

Calculate the resistance of the component at 6.0 V.

[2]

Does the component obey Ohms law? Explain your answer.

[2]

The diagram below shows the I/V characteristics of two components A and B.
I (A)
1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0
0

V (V)

The components are connected in series to a battery. The current in each

component is the same and equal to 0.60 A.
Calculate the individual resistances of A and B.

[2]

A 14m long copper wire of cross-sectional area 4.2 10 m is wound into a coil
for a loudspeaker. The resistivity of copper is 1.7 108 m. Calculate the resistance
of the wire.
[3]
8

Higher level
7

The diagram shows a thermistor connected to a d.c. supply.

6.0 V

I (mA)

60
S
A
20
0
0

Time

The supply has negligible internal resistance. When the switch S is closed, the
current I in the circuit changes as shown in the graph on the right.

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Explain why the current changes in the manner shown in the graph.

Calculate the ratio:

[2]

minimum resistance of thermistor

maximum resistance of thermistor

[2]

8 The resistance across the ends of a 15 cm long pencil lead is 3.6 . Calculate its
radius given that the pencil lead material has a resistivity of 7.5 105 m.

[3]

A piece of metal is shaped into a rectangular block as shown below.

4.0 cm

0.60 cm
0.80 cm

The metal has a resistivity of 4.3 104 m.

a

The resistance of the block depends on which pair of faces it is measured

between. Calculate the minimum resistance between two opposite faces of
the block.

[4]

What is the maximum current in the block in a when connected to a 0.050 V

supply of negligible internal resistance?
[2]

10 A filament lamp is connected to a d.c. supply. The current in the lamp is 2.0 A when
the potential difference across it is 12 V. When operating at 12 V, the filament of the
lamp has a cross-sectional area of 4.9 109 m2 and the resistivity of the filament
material is 5.6 107 m. Calculate the length of the filament in centimetres.
[4]

Extension
11 A glass tube contains a conducting liquid of length 5.0 cm. The internal radius of

the tube is 1.4 cm. The resistivity of the liquid is 8.5 105 m. The liquid is poured
onto a horizontal surface and quickly sets in the form of a uniform cylindrical disc
of radius 25 cm. Calculate the resistance of this disc across its two opposite larger
surfaces. You may assume that the resistivity of the material remains constant. [4]

12 The resistivity of aluminium is twice that of copper. However, the density of

aluminium is one-third that of copper.
a

For equal length and resistance, calculate the ratio:

mass of aluminium
mass of copper

[3]

Use the Internet to investigate the construction of power cables used for the
National Grid. You may be surprised to find that the current-carrying cables are
made from aluminium and not copper. Explain why this is so.
Total: Score:
36

92

Cambridge University Press 2005

10 Resistance and resistivity

Worked examples
Example 1
A semiconductor diode is connected to a variable d.c. supply of negligible internal
resistance. The current in the diode is zero when the p.d. across it is 0.40 V. The current
increases to 30 mA when the p.d. across the diode is 0.65 V. Calculate the resistance of
the diode at 0.40 V and 0.65 V. Does the diode obey Ohms law?
The resistance R of a component is given by:
R=

V
I

At 0.40 V, the current I is 0 A. Therefore:

R=

0.40
=
0

Remember that any number divided by zero is infinite.

(The diode is not conducting; hence its resistance is infinite.)

At 0.65 V, the current I is 30 mA. Therefore:
R=

0.65
= 22
0.03

Remember to convert the current into amperes.

Failure to do this will give the resistance in k.

(The resistance of the conducting diode is quite small.)

The resistance of the diode changes with p.d. (or current). Therefore, the current cannot
be directly proportional to the p.d. The diode does not obey Ohms law.

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Example 2
A wire of radius 0.15 mm and length 3.2 m has a resistance of 14 . Calculate the
resistance of a wire made from the same material but having five times the length and
twice the radius.
The resistance R of the wire is given by:
R=

l
A

The cross-sectional area A of the wire is given by:

A = r 2
where r is the radius of the wire.
Therefore:
R=

l
l

r 2 r 2

The resistance of the wire will therefore increase by a factor

5
= 1.25. The resistance of
22

the new wire is:

R = 1.25 14 = 17.5 18

Tip
You do not need to use algebra to get the answer. You can first calculate the
resistivity of the wire and then use this to calculate the resistance of the wire.
The resistivity is given by:

RA
l

R = 14

l = 3.2 m

A = r2 = (1.5 104)2 = 7.07 108 m2

14 7.07 108
= 3.09 107 m
3.2

For the new wire:

l = 3.2 5 = 16m

A = r 2 = (2 1.5 104)2 = 2.83 107 m2

= 3.09 107 m

Its resistance R is therefore:

R=

94

l 3.09 107 16
=
= 17.5 18
A
2.83 107

Cambridge University Press 2005

10 Resistance and resistivity

Practical 1
The I/V characteristics of components
Safety
Always take sensible safety precautions when using mains-operated supplies. Teachers
and technicians should follow their school and departmental safety policies and should
ensure that the employers risk assessment has been carried out before undertaking any
practical work.

Apparatus

variable d.c. supply

1 m of 40 swg nichrome wire
filament lamp (60 mA, 6 V)
silicon diode

digital ammeter
digital voltmeter
100 resistor (for diode experiment)
connecting leads

Introduction
You can identify a component from its I/V characteristics. In this experiment you will
determine the I/V characteristics of a metallic wire kept at a constant temperature, a
filament lamp and a semiconductor diode. You will find information on the
components mentioned above on pages 90 and 91 of Physics 1.

Procedure
The diagrams show appropriate circuits for investigating the different components. For
the diode experiment, it is vital to include a safety resistor.

filament lamp or metallic wire

A

100

diode

VITAL SAFETY RESISTOR

V

1
2
3
4
5

Set up the appropriate circuit for the component you are investigating.
Change the potential difference across the component from zero to 6.0 V in steps of
0.5 V.
Measure the current for each p.d.
Record your results in a table.
On the same axes, plot a current against voltage graph for each of the components.
(You should be able to identify the component from the specific shape of the
I/V graph.)

Guidance for teachers

One metre of the nichrome wire has a resistance of about 90 . Using a 1 m length makes
it possible to plot the I/V graphs for all the components on the same axes for comparison.
If a variable d.c. supply is not available, then a rheostat may be used as a potential divider.

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Practical 2
The effect of temperature on the resistance of a thermistor
Safety
Take care when pouring the boiling water into the beaker. Teachers and technicians
should follow their school and departmental safety policies and should ensure that the
employers risk assessment has been carried out before undertaking any practical work.

Apparatus

6.0 V battery
100 ml beaker
NTC thermistor
plastic bag
electric kettle

thermometer
digital voltmeter
digital ammeter
connecting leads

Introduction
In this experiment you will investigate the effect that temperature has on the resistance
of a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. Their resistive properties are
described on page 93 of Physics 1.

Procedure

6.0 V

The circuit shown here may be used to investigate the

behaviour of a thermistor.

Put the thermistor in a waterproof plastic bag

and place it into a beaker.

2
3

Pour boiling hot water into the beaker.

4
5
6

A
V

Stir the water and measure the temperature of

the water, the potential difference V and the
current I.

thermometer

Record your results in a table.

For every 10 C drop in temperature, measure I
and V.
Calculate the resistance R of the thermistor
at each temperature using the equation:
V
R=
I

beaker with
hot water

Repeat the experiment twice and determine the average resistance at each
temperature.

Plot a graph of resistance R against temperature .

Guidance for teachers

The specifications only require knowledge of NTC thermistors. However, if there is time,
selected students could also determine the properties of PTC thermistors.

96

Cambridge University Press 2005

10 Resistance and resistivity

Practical 3
Identifying a material from its resistivity
Safety
Do not attempt to measure the current for zero length. This will short out the battery
and send a potentially damaging current through the ammeter. Teachers and
technicians should follow their school and departmental safety policies and should
ensure that the employers risk assessment has been carried out before undertaking any
practical work.

Apparatus

6.0 V battery (or d.c. supply)

manganin or eureka or nichrome wire
ruler
micrometer

crocodile clip
digital voltmeter
digital ammeter
connecting leads

Introduction
In this experiment you will determine the resistivity of a metal and identify it by using
either a databook or the Internet.

Procedure

6.0 V

The diagram shows an arrangement that may be used

to determine the resistivity of a metal. You may use any
available wires in the laboratory.
A

1 Measure the diameter of the wire at different

crocodile clip

points. Use the average diameter d to determine

the cross-sectional area A of the wire using:

d2
A=
4

2 For a 10 cm long wire, measure the current I and

resistance wire

the potential difference V.

3 Record your results in a table.

4 Calculate the resistance R of the wire using:
R=

V
I

5 Increase the length of the wire in steps of 10 cm and determine

the resistance for each length.

6 Plot a graph of resistance R of the wire against its length l.

7 Draw a straight line of best fit through the data points.

8 Find the gradient of the line, which is equal to ,

A

gradient =

where is the resistivity of the metal.

9 Calculate the resistivity using the relationship:

= gradient A

0
0

10 Use the Internet or a science databook to identify the metal.

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97

End-of-chapter test
Answer all questions.

1
2

Name a non-ohmic component.

[1]

The graph shows the I/V

characteristics of two types of
filament lamps X and Y.

I (mA)

Does lamp X obey Ohms law?

Explain your answer.
[1]

80

Calculate the resistance of

lamp X at 2.0 V.

60

100

[3]

Describe how the resistance

of lamp Y depends on the
current.
[1]

40

20

0
0

V (V)

A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor and its connecting leads are
coated with a high-resistivity plastic material. The thermistor is placed in a beaker
containing hot water. The temperature of the water is kept constant at 80 C. The I/V
characteristic of the thermistor is shown below.
I (mA)
100
80 C
80

60

40

20

0
0

4
5

10

12

V (V)

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

[2]

State and explain the change, if any, to the shape of the I/V graph when the
temperature is lowered and maintained at 30 C.

[2]

A wire is made of a material of resistivity . Write an equation for the

resistance R of a wire of length l and diameter d.

[2]

According to a databook, a manganin wire of radius 0.15 mm has a resistance of

5.33 per metre of length.
a

Calculate the resistivity of manganin.

[4]

Explain how your answer to a would change if the manganin wire had
twice the radius.

[2]

Total: Score:
18

98

Cambridge University Press 2005

10 Resistance and resistivity

Marking scheme
Worksheet
potential difference
[1]
current

Resistance =

The current in a metallic conductor kept at a constant temperature is directly

proportional to the potential difference across its ends. [1]

Resistance =

R=

At double the p.d., the resistance is

R=

resistivity length
[1]
cross-sectional area

V 6.0
=
[1];
I 0.023

R = 260 [1]

12
= 120 [1]
0.100

The resistance is not constant. Therefore, the current cannot be directly

proportional to the voltage. The component is non-ohmic. [1]

RA =

R=

1.0
= 1.7 [1];
0.60

RB =

3.5
= 5.8 [1]
0.60

1.7 108 14
l
[1]; R = 5.67 [1]
[1]; R =
A
4.2 108
As current flows in the thermistor, its temperature increases. This causes a
decrease in the resistance of the thermistor and therefore an increase in the
current (the p.d. is constant at 6.0 V). [1]
Eventually, the temperature reaches a maximum and therefore the resistance of
the thermistor is lower but constant. The current is therefore also constant. [1]

Rmin =

6.0
6.0
= 100 , Rmax =
= 300 [1]
0.060
0.020

Ratio =

R=

l
l 7.5 105 0.15
[1]; A = =
= 3.13 106 m2 3.1 106 m2 [1]
A
R
3.6

A = r2

Rmin 100 1
=
= 0.33 [1]
Rmax 300 3

so

r=

3.13 106
= 9.97 104 m 1.0 103 m [1]

Minimum resistance shortest length and largest cross-sectional area [1]

l = 0.60 cm,
R=
b

I=

A = 4.0 0.80 = 3.2 cm2 = 3.2 104 m2 [1]

l 4.3 104 6.0 103

=
[1]; R = 8.1 103 [1]
A
3.2 104

V
0.050
=
[1];
R 8.1 103

I = 6.2 A [1]

V 12
= 6.0 [1]
I 2.0

10 R = =
l=

RA
[1];

l=

6.0 4.9 109

= 0.053 m [1];
5.6 107

l = 5.3 cm [1]

11 Volume remains constant (r 2h = constant) [1]

252 l = 1.42 5.0 (l = new length), so
R=

l = 1.57 102 cm = 1.57 104 m [1]

l 8.5 105 1.57 104

=
[1]; R = 6.8 108 [1]
A
(25 102)2

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99

12 a Mass = density volume (M = DV) [1]

Resistance remains the same, and equal length l, therefore:

Cu l Al l
=
ACu
AAl
Ratio =

so

AAl Al
=
= 2 [1]
ACu Cu

DAl AAl
MAl DAl AAl l
1 2
=
=
= = 0.67 [1]
MCu DCu ACu l DCu ACu 3 1

( )( )

The mass (and hence weight) of aluminium overhead cables is 67% that of
copper for equal length and resistance.
b

100

Internet research. Cables are typically aluminium with steel reinforcement.

Cambridge University Press 2005

10 Resistance and resistivity

Marking scheme
End-of-chapter test
1
2

Semiconductor diode or a filament lamp [1]

a

The current is not directly proportional to the p.d., therefore X does not obey
Ohms law. [1]

V = 2.0 V and I = 60 mA [1]

R=

R=

V
I

l
A

and

A = r 2 =

d 2
l 4l
[1]; R = = 2 [1]
4
A d

l = 1.0 m, r = 1.5 104 m, R = 5.33 [1]

=
b

12
= 150 [1]
0.080

The resistance of the thermistor is higher at a lower temperature. [1]

1
Since R =
, the graph is a straight line of smaller gradient. [1]
gradient of line
R=

2.0
= 33 [1]
0.060

The resistance of Y decreases as the current increases. [1]

a R = [1]; R =
b

V
[1];
I

RA 5.33 (1.5 104)2

=
[1];
l
1.0

= 3.8 107 [1]; Unit: m [1]

There is no change. [1] The resistivity depends on the material and not on its
dimensions. [1]

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