Activity 5- Does a light bulb dim if the length of wire used in a circuit increases?

The following activity will explore and answer that question by using an online simulation available at http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc My hypothesis was: yes, the light bulb will become more dim if the wire length increases. The first step was to decide on the materials to start with. I decided to use 1 lightbulb, 2 wires at default length (short), 1 battery at default voltage (9 volts), and a voltmeter placed at the light bulbs junction with the wires to more accurately (quantitatively) measure brightness instead of relying on personal opinion.

I also decided that I wanted to make sure that the number of wires used did not affect the results, so I decided to test 2, 3, and 4 wires in short, medium, and long lengths. I made a table to record my results as the voltage readings (brightness). Number of Wires 3

Length of Wires Short Medium Long

I started the experiment by creating a circuit using 2 short wires, 1 battery, 1 light bulb, and a voltmeter placed at the light bulb's joints with the 2 wires. The result was 9 volts and a fairly dim-looking light.

Then I stretched the wires to approximately double their original length. The result was 9 volts again, and the same brightness, a fairly dim light bulb.

Then I stretched the wires to the far corner, approximately 3 times their original length. My result was 9 volts, and fairly dim brightness.

I wanted to verify my results by changing the number of wires, but keeping the total length of wire relative to the original 2 wires. I began with 3 short wires. The result was 9 volts and the same brightness.

I was pretty sure that all the rest of the measurements would be 9 volts and a fairly dim light bulb, but I wanted to be absolutely sure, so I continued with the rest of the wire combinations.

3 Medium Wires=9 volts, dim light

3 Long Wires=9 volts, dim light

4 Short Wires=9 volts, dim light

4 Medium Wires=9 volts, dim light

4 Long Wires=9 volts, dim light

The final results were recorded in my table: Number of Wires 3 9 volts 9 volts 9 volts

Length of Wires Short Medium Long

2 9 volts 9 volts 9 volts

4 9 volts 9 volts 9 volts

I was concerned that maybe every combination resulted in the same voltage and brightness, so I decided to add a battery and use 3 short wires. 3 Short Wires + 2 Batteries = 18 volts, much brighter

The results were different, confirming my conclusion: the brightness of a light bulb does not decrease as the length of wire in the circuit increases. My hypothesis was wrong. Reflective Analysis This online simulation was great for not only helping me understand a concept I didnt understand before, but also to want to know more, explore further, and eliminate other possibilities until I was sure of my final conclusion. I would love to use something like this in my future classroom. I think it would be very engaging at any grade level, but I would need to find very user-friendly and simple simulations for younger grades (K-2). The most frustrating part of this assignment had nothing to do with the simulation, it was the formatting issues I was having trying to put this on my Weebly page. I finally decided to just embed this document and it worked perfectly!