Meassuring Resistance under water?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on measuring the resistance of a wire while it is joule heated under water, utilizing a four-point probe method. The participant, Matt, plans to attach electrodes to a metal wire and measure the voltage drop across it while submerged in distilled water. The consensus is that the high resistance of distilled water compared to the wire will allow for accurate measurements, provided the terminology is corrected from "water" to "resistor" in one instance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical resistance and Ohm's Law
  • Familiarity with four-point probe measurement techniques
  • Knowledge of joule heating principles
  • Basic concepts of electrical insulation and electrode materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of four-point probe measurements in detail
  • Study the effects of joule heating on different materials
  • Explore the properties of distilled water as an insulating medium
  • Investigate methods for improving measurement accuracy in submerged environments
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Electrical engineers, experimental physicists, and students conducting research on resistance measurements and thermal properties in aquatic environments.

HappMatt
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Hey,

So as part of a experiment I am curious to be able to measure the resistance of a wire as I joule heat it under water to be able to get a steady state temp vs current. My thought is to attach electrodes to a metal wire to put a current across it and measure a voltage drop(4 point probe). I would likely use insulated leads attached to the wire that i want to measure. Additionally I would put the wire in distilled water when I make the measurements. So my thought is that since the resistance of the water is so much greater than that of the water I should be able to get a relatively accurate measurements. Does this make sense or am I missing something.

Thanks
Matt
 
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HappMatt said:
Hey,

So as part of a experiment I am curious to be able to measure the resistance of a wire as I joule heat it under water to be able to get a steady state temp vs current. My thought is to attach electrodes to a metal wire to put a current across it and measure a voltage drop(4 point probe). I would likely use insulated leads attached to the wire that i want to measure. Additionally I would put the wire in distilled water when I make the measurements. So my thought is that since the resistance of the water is so much greater than that of the water I should be able to get a relatively accurate measurements. Does this make sense or am I missing something.

Thanks
Matt

Makes perfect sense, except for the simple typo in your next to last sentence. You should be fine.
 
berkeman said:
Makes perfect sense, except for the simple typo in your next to last sentence. You should be fine.

sense instead of since? not the first time and I actually meant to type it that way.
Thanks
Matt
 
HappMatt said:
... So my thought is that since the resistance of the water is so much greater than that of the water I should be able to get a relatively accurate measurements...

Your typo was saying that you plan to compare the resistance of the water to the water (itself).
 
Yeah, change the 2nd water --> resistor.
 

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