Finding length and diameter of copper wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the length and diameter of a copper wire made from 1.0 g of copper, with a specified resistance of 0.5 ohms. The density of copper is given as 8.93 x 103 kg/m3, and the resistivity is 1.72 x 10-8 Ωm. To find the wire's dimensions, participants suggest using the volume formula for a cylinder and the relationship between resistance, length, and diameter. The volume of the wire can be computed from the mass and density, which is essential for determining the wire's diameter and length.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly resistance and resistivity
  • Familiarity with the formula for the volume of a cylinder: V = πr2h
  • Knowledge of the relationship between resistance, length, and diameter in electrical conductors
  • Basic arithmetic and algebra skills for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the volume of copper using the formula: Volume = Mass / Density
  • Learn how to derive the diameter from the volume of a cylinder using the formula: d = 2√(V / (πh))
  • Explore the relationship between resistance, length, and diameter using the formula: R = ρ(L/A)
  • Investigate the properties of copper wire and its applications in electrical engineering
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in materials science or electrical design, particularly those working with conductive materials like copper.

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Suppose you wish to fabricate a uniform wire out of 1.0 g of copper (Density of copper is 8.93 x 10^3 kg/m^3). If the wire is to have a resistance of R = .5 ohms, and all the copper is to be used, what will

a) the length and
b) the diameter of this wire?



this has me tottally confuzed because i can not put together a formula to find length or the diameter of the wire. Help?
 
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You can compute the volume of the wire from the mass and the density.

If you know the diameter is equal to d, you can compute the length of the wire (from the equation for the volume of a cylinder)

If you know the length and the diameter, you can compute the resistance (resistivity of copper is 1.72 \cdot 10^{-8} \Omega m )

The resistance will be a function of the chosen diameter d. Set this equal to 0.5 and you can find d
 
ok thank you.

so if i have a volume of 1.12 x 10^-4, and the equation for volume of a cylinder is (pi)(h)(r^2), i don't get how to computer the length if i do not have a height or a radius? and then i need the length and diameter to get resistance (given at 0.5), how do i get this into finding the diameter?

i am confuzed on what formula to use or how do use volume of a cylinder to get d??
 

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