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EMF Writeup

The practical aimed to determine the resistivity of a copper wire by measuring voltage, current, and resistance across varying lengths. The experiment involved calculating the mean resistance and resulted in a resistivity value of 3.414 x 10-7 ohm meters, which was approximately 35% off from the standard value. The evaluation suggested inaccuracies in measurements and equipment could have contributed to the error margin.

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26 views3 pages

EMF Writeup

The practical aimed to determine the resistivity of a copper wire by measuring voltage, current, and resistance across varying lengths. The experiment involved calculating the mean resistance and resulted in a resistivity value of 3.414 x 10-7 ohm meters, which was approximately 35% off from the standard value. The evaluation suggested inaccuracies in measurements and equipment could have contributed to the error margin.

Uploaded by

8abidmo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Moaz Abid

EMF and internal resistance practical

Aim: Determining the resistivity of the constant

Method:

- Firstly, we took a copper wire and stretched it out across a meter


ruler and taped the ends using electrical tape. I made sure to
straighten out any kinks so its relatively straight.
- I measured the diameter of the wire in 3 different locations using a
vernier and calculated the mean.
- I set the apparatus shown below [1] and set the initial voltage to
0.5V, where I would be going up in increments of 0.5.

- I clipped crocodile clips on the wire, spacing out about 0.100 metres.
- I noted the current and used voltage and current to calculate
resistance.
- I repeated this but with increasing my length by 0.100 metres up to
0.8 metres and increased my voltage by 0.5V as well to maintain a
current of 0.6A.
- I repeated the entire experiment and made mean results.
Results:

Length/m Voltage/V Current/A Resistance/


Ω
0.100 0.50 0.6 0.833
0.200 1.00 0.62 1.612
0.300 1.50 0.63 2.380
0.400 2.00 0.62 3.225
0.500 2.50 0.68 3.676
0.600 3.00 0.69 4.348
0.700 3.50 0.70 5.0
0.800 4.00 0.70 5.714

I drew a graph of Voltage against current.


It gave me a gradient of 5.17 ohms.

2
πd
I then calculated cross sectional area using giving me 6.605 x 10-8 metres.
4
RA
I used the formula ρ= as the graph gives me R/l. I need to multiply the gradient by cross
l
sectional area.
Conclusion:

6.605 x 10-8 x 5.17 = 3.414 x 10-7 ohm metres.

Evaluation:

The standard value of resistivity is 4.9 x 10-7 ohm metre. This means I was off by around 35%
which is a huge margin. I suspect my measurements of the spacing inbetween the crocodile
clips was not accurate as well as the rounding and calculating mean values compounded to
give this margin of error. I also believe that if I had more accurate voltmeters and ammeters
the value of error would be marginally less.

References:

1. https://www.savemyexams.com/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/5-
electricity/5-2-resistance--resistivity/5-2-4-required-practical-investigating-
resistivity/

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