EXPERIMENT 1

Aim: To determine the resistivity of two/three wires by plotting a graph for potential difference
versus current.

Apparatus: Resistance wires, voltmeter, ammeter, battery eliminator, rheostat, metre scale,
one way key, connecting wires, screw gauge.

Theory:

According to Ohm’s law, the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference across its ends provided the physical conditions (temperature, dimensions,
pressure) of the conductor remains the same. If I be the current flowing through the conductor
and V be the potential difference across its ends, then according to Ohm’s Law:

𝑉∝𝐼

𝑉 = 𝑅𝐼

𝑉
𝑅=
𝐼

Where, R is resistance of the conductor.

Specific resistance or resistivity is given by:

𝑅𝐴
𝜌=
𝑙

𝜋𝑟 2 𝑅
𝜌=
𝑙

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑅 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑟 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒

𝑙 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒

Diagram:

Observations:
 i. Length of resistance wire 1, 𝑙1 = 20 𝑐𝑚
ii. Length of resistance wire 2, 𝑙2 = 10𝑐𝑚
iii. Table for Ammeter and Voltmeter readings
Material of Wire SNo. Ammeter reading, 𝑰 (𝑨) Voltmeter reading, 𝑽 (𝑽)
Wire 1 1
2
3
Wire 2 1
2
3
iv. Zero error of screw gauge, 𝑒 = 𝐿. 𝑆. 𝑅 + 𝑛 × 𝐿. 𝐶 = 𝐿. 𝑆. 𝑅 + 𝑛 × 0.01𝑚𝑚
v. Table for the radius of the wires
Material SNo. L.S.R Number of C.S.R= 𝒏 × Observed Corrected Radius, Radius,
of Wire (mm) circular 𝑳. 𝑪 (mm) diameter, diameter, 𝑟 𝑟 (𝑐𝑚)
scale 𝐷= 𝐷˳ = 𝐷 − 𝐷
= (𝑚𝑚)
divisions 𝐿. 𝑆. 𝑅 + 𝑒 (𝑚𝑚) 2
on the 𝑛×
reference 𝐿. 𝐶 (𝑚𝑚)
line (n)
Wire 1 1
2
3
Wire 2 1
2
3

Calculations/ Graphs:

Plot the V-I graph for each wire. The slope of the V-I wire gives resistance of the wire(s).

I. Wire 1:
∆𝑉
i. Resistance, R1 =
∆𝐼
 ii. Mean radius, 𝑟1 =
𝜋𝑟12 𝑅
iii. Resistivity, 𝜌1 = 𝑙1
II. Wire 2:
∆𝑉
i. Resistance, R2 =
∆𝐼
ii. Mean radius, 𝑟2 =
𝜋𝑟22 𝑅
iii. Resistivity, 𝜌2 = 𝑙2

Result:

• Resistivity of wire 1= ____________ ohm-cm

• Resistivity of wire 2= ____________ ohm-cm

Precautions:

1. The connections should be neat, clean and tight.

2. Readings should be noted accurately.
3. Current should not be allowed to flow for too long.

Sources of error:

• Loose connections
• The wire may not be of uniform thickness.
• The screw gauge may have faults like back lash error.