Experiment to Determine the Resistivity of a Wire

In summary, the conversation discusses a physics question involving the diameter and resistance of a wire. The questioner provides a link to a diagram and asks for help finding a formula in their book. They clarify that the formula they are looking for is not the one mentioned by the responder. The responder then asks for the cross-sectional area of the wire and suggests using Google to learn how to plot a graph in Excel for further help. The questioner is unsure of the relevance of graphing to their question.
  • #1
yeah20112012
3
0
Here is a detailed description of my question:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/3413/physics2.png"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Diameter of the wire = 0.425mm +/- 0.005mm .
 
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  • #2
Look for that formula in your book.
 
  • #3
Do you mean Resistance = ((p x Length) / Area), where p is the Resistivity? If so, that was not my question!
 
Last edited:
  • #4
yeah20112012 said:
Do you mean Resistance = ((p x Length) / Area), where p is the Resistivity?

Yeha that looks right.

EDIT: Wait, something is wrong (not the formula)...

EDIT2: never mind, I was right. Find the cross sectional area of the wire.
 
  • #5
Area = 0.04515625 x pi . How is this relevant to the graph?!
 
  • #6
for learning to graph with excel just google "how to plot a graph in excel"
google is very powerful search engine. learn to use it for your end. if you learn how to
use google (there are lot of different ways you can do search) most of the questions
you get in physics will be easier in the sense that , with right keywords , solutions are easily available. or you can go to the right forums...
 
  • #7
Am i overlooking something here? What are you graphing? what is your graph?
 

1. What is the purpose of this experiment?

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the resistivity of a wire, which is a measure of how strongly the wire resists the flow of electric current. This can help us understand the properties of different materials and their ability to conduct electricity.

2. What materials are needed for this experiment?

To perform this experiment, you will need a wire of known length and diameter, a power supply, an ammeter, a voltmeter, and connecting wires. You may also need a ruler, calipers, and a calculator to measure and calculate the necessary values.

3. How is the resistivity of the wire calculated?

The resistivity of a wire can be calculated by using the formula ρ = (RA)/L, where ρ is the resistivity, R is the resistance, A is the cross-sectional area of the wire, and L is the length of the wire. By measuring the resistance and dimensions of the wire and plugging them into the formula, the resistivity can be determined.

4. What factors can affect the resistivity of a wire?

The resistivity of a wire can be affected by various factors, such as the type of material the wire is made of, its temperature, and its length and cross-sectional area. The purity of the material and any impurities present can also affect the resistivity of the wire.

5. Why is it important to perform multiple trials in this experiment?

Performing multiple trials in this experiment can help ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. By taking multiple measurements and calculating the average resistivity, any errors or anomalies can be identified and a more precise value can be obtained. This also allows for a better understanding of any potential sources of error in the experiment.

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