Physics Assesment : Copper wires resistance

In summary, the speaker is a 15-year-old asking for help with an assessment that counts towards their GCSE, specifically for predicting something related to the resistance of copper wires. They request a detailed explanation and mention the formula for resistance involving a constant of resistivity, length, and cross-sectional area. They also mention that the material is copper and ask for verification.
  • #1
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Hi. This may seem extremely easy for all you guys here but seeing as I am 15 its not quite as simple to me.
Firstly the assesment I am going to be doing will count for my GCSE therefore i want the best possible result (Btw I am taking triple science)
Can someone with as much detail as possible explain a good "prediction" since I am not 100% sure if the thing I am writing is correct therefore i need some help :S thanks
 
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  • #2
We can help you as soon as you ask the problem. From what I can tell it has something to do with the resistance of copper wires (i'm a smart one, ain't I? :smile: ) I don't know if this helps, but the resistance will depend on the thickness of the wire, it's length and a constant of resistivity (or something along those lines, I'm not checking any of this, so make sure you verify it), in the form:

[tex]
R = \rho \frac{L}{A} [/tex]

where p is the constant (depends on the material, look up copper), L is the length, A is the cross-sectional area, and R of course is resistance.
 
  • #3


Sure, I would be happy to help you with your assessment on copper wire resistance. First, let's start with some background information. Resistance is a property of a material that describes how easily it allows electricity to flow through it. It is measured in ohms (Ω). The resistance of a material depends on several factors, including the material's length, cross-sectional area, and temperature.

To predict the resistance of a copper wire, we need to understand Ohm's Law, which states that the current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance. In other words, the longer the wire, the higher the resistance, and the thicker the wire, the lower the resistance.

To make a good prediction for your assessment, you will need to gather some information about the copper wire you will be using. This includes its length, cross-sectional area, and temperature. You can measure the length of the wire using a ruler or measuring tape. The cross-sectional area can be calculated by measuring the diameter of the wire and using the formula A = πr², where A is the cross-sectional area and r is the radius of the wire.

Once you have this information, you can use the formula R = ρl/A, where R is the resistance, ρ (rho) is the resistivity of copper (1.68 x 10^-8 Ωm), l is the length of the wire, and A is the cross-sectional area. This formula will give you the predicted resistance of the copper wire.

However, keep in mind that this prediction is based on the assumption that the wire is made of pure copper and is at room temperature. In reality, there may be impurities in the copper wire and the temperature may affect its resistance. To get a more accurate prediction, you can measure the actual resistance of the wire using a multimeter.

I hope this explanation helps you make a good prediction for your assessment. Remember to include all the relevant information and calculations in your prediction to support your answer. Good luck!
 

What is the purpose of assessing copper wire resistance in physics?

Assessing copper wire resistance in physics is important because it helps us understand how electricity flows through a material and how much energy is lost in the process. This information is crucial in designing and optimizing electrical circuits and devices.

How is copper wire resistance measured?

Copper wire resistance is typically measured using a device called an ohmmeter. This device sends a small amount of current through the wire and measures the voltage drop across it, which is then used to calculate the resistance using Ohm's law (R=V/I).

What factors affect the resistance of copper wires?

The resistance of copper wires is affected by several factors, including the length and thickness of the wire, the temperature of the wire, and the type and purity of the copper used. Additionally, the presence of impurities or defects in the wire can also impact its resistance.

How does temperature affect the resistance of copper wires?

As the temperature of a copper wire increases, its resistance also increases. This is because at higher temperatures, the atoms in the wire vibrate more and create more obstacles for the flow of electricity. This is known as the temperature coefficient of resistance.

What are some practical applications of understanding copper wire resistance?

Understanding copper wire resistance has many practical applications, such as in the design of electrical wiring for buildings and appliances, the development of more efficient and reliable electronic devices, and the optimization of energy transmission and distribution systems.

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