Experiment # 1

Name:
Date: November , 2023
Title: Resistivity of a metal wire
Aim: 1) To determine the resistance of a length of constantan wire.
2) To determine the resistivity of constantan wire.
Apparatus/Materials:
d.c. power supply reel of wire
connecting wires scissors
crocodile clips adhesive tape
ammeter wire cutters
voltmeter micrometer
rheostat
metre rule
switch

Diagram of Apparatus:

Figure 1.1: Wire attached with tape to a metre rule.

Figure 1.2: Circuit diagram.

Procedure:
 Use the wire cutters to cut a wire of length 110 cm.
 Use the scissors to cut sufficient tape to attach the tape to the metre rule as shown in Figure 1.1.
 Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.2.
 Switch both meters to suitable scales, move the slider on the rheostat and take a series of readings
of V and I.
 Record these readings in a suitable table in the Results section.
 Open the switch between readings to prevent the wire from heating up.
 Use the micrometer to measure the diameter of the wire.
Results:
Length of wire = m
Mean diameter of wire =

TABLE 1
Potential difference ,V /V Current , I / A

Treatment of results
a) Use values from Table 1 to plot a graph, of potential difference, V/V against current, I/A and draw
the straight line of best fit.
b) Determine the gradient of the graph.
c) Deduce the resistance of the wire from the gradient.
d) Calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire.
e) Determine the resistivity of the constantan wire.

Discussion:
Questions to assist you with your Discussion
What value did you get for the resistivity of constantan?
How does the experimental value compare to the literature value?
What were some possible sources of error? How could they be minimised?

Conclusion: