AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS LAB 1
Summer 2020-2021
Section: AA, Group: 06

LAB REPORT 5:
To determine the temperature coefficient of resistance of the material of a wire.

Supervised By
Md. Masud Parvez

Submitted By:
Name ID Contribution
1. Anonnya Barua 20-42590-1 I have done Theory and Apparatus of this
report
2. Ridita Zaman Adikta 20-43679-2 I have done Procedure part of this report
3. Tasnimul Hasan 20-43833-2 I have done Experimental Data part of this
report
4. Sumayea Khatun 20-43837-2 I have done Analysis and Calculation part
of this report
5. Sayeem Bin Ezaz 20-43770-2 I have done Result and Discussion part of
this report

Date of Submission: July 18,2021

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 1 of 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page no

I. Title Page 1

II. Table of Content 2

1. Theory 3

2. Apparatus 5

3. Circuit Diagram for the experiment 5

4. Procedure 5

5. Experimental Data 6

6. Calculation and Analysis 7

7. Result 8

8. Discussion 8

9. References 8

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 2 of 8

1. Theory
For metals used as electrical conductors, there is a relationship between resistance and temperature. This
relationship depends upon what is called the temperature coefficient of resistance.

Figure 1: These two graphs show the changes in resistances of a conductor and a semiconductor with
temperature. For conductor, the resistance increases linearly and for semiconductor the resistance decreases
exponentially with the temperature.

For a conductor, the resistance increases with increase of temperature, as the figure 1 shows. If R1 is the
resistance of a conductor at temperature θ1 and at a higher temperature 𝜃2 the resistance raises to R2, then
we can write,

𝑅2 = 𝑅1[1 + 𝛼 (𝜃2 – 𝜃1)] …………..(1)

where 𝛼 is the temperature coefficient of the material of the conductor.

Rearranging Eq. 1, we get,
𝑅2 = 𝑅1 + 𝛼𝑅1(𝜃2 – 𝜃1)
 𝛼𝑅1(𝜃2 – 𝜃1) = 𝑅2 – 𝑅1
𝑅2 − 𝑅1 ∆𝑅
 𝛼=𝑅 = ………………. (2)
1 (𝜃2 − 𝜃1 ) 𝑅1 ∆𝜃

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where ∆𝑅 (= 𝑅2 − 𝑅1) is the change in resistance due to the change in temperature ∆𝜃= (𝜃 2 − 𝜃1).
In Eq. (2) if we put 𝑅1 = 1 Ohm and ∆𝜃 = 1 0C we get 𝛼 = ∆𝑅, thus we define the temperature
coefficient of resistance of a substance as the change in resistance per unit resistance (per ohm) for
unit change in temperature (per 0C). Also, we find the unit of 𝛼 as per 0C.

For a conductor, if we know the resistances 𝑅1 at a temperature θ1 and 𝑅2 at a higher temperature

θ2, then we can calculate the temperature coefficient of resistance of its material by using the Eq. 2.

A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit used to measure an unknown electrical resistance by balancing
two legs of a bridge circuit, one leg of which includes the unknown component. The unknown resistance
can be determined by a meter bridge that works with the Wheatstonebridge principle.

Figure 2: A meter bridge can be used to determine an unknown resistance by using the
Wheatstone bridge principle.

In the meter bridge circuit as in fig. 2, for the null deflection in the galvanometer we get,
𝑃 𝑅
=
𝑄 𝑋
𝑄 𝜌(100−𝑙)/𝐴 100−𝑙
 X=𝑃 ×𝑅 = ×𝑅 = × 𝑅………… (3)
𝜌𝑙/𝐴 𝑙

where 𝜌 is the specific resistance of the material and A is the cross-sectional area of the wire ofthe
meter bridge.
According to Eq. (3) if we know the length of the balance point, l and the resistance, R we can
determine the unknown resistance X.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 4 of 8

2. Apparatus
➢ Power supply ➢ Meter bridge ➢ Galvanometer ➢ Jockey
➢ Resistance box ➢ Coil of conducting wire ➢ Commutator ➢ Thermometer
➢ Beeker ➢ Water ➢ Electric heater

3. Circuit Diagram for the experiment

Figure 3: Circuit diagram for the experiment.

4. Procedure
1. First, we have to set up the apparatus as the circuit diagram shows in figure 3.

2. Then we have to connect the coil of the wire in the left gap G1 and keep it inside the
Beeker at room temperature.We have to note the temperature, θ1 from the thermometer.
We connected the resistance box in the right gap G2 of the meter bridge. By closing the
nobs in different positions of the commutator we can change the direction of current
flow in the circuit. We take different resistances (like 5,7,9 Ω) from the resistance box
to find the position of the balance points on the wire of the meter bridge for direct
current as well as reverse current.

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 3. After that, we connected the coil of the wire in the right gap G2 and the resistance box
in the left gap G1. Found the balance points for direct current and reverse current for
5,7 and 9 Ω.
4. Poured hot water in the Beeker to raise the temperature. We noted the high temperature,
θ2 from the thermometer. For different resistances (5,7 and 9 Ω) we found the balance
points for direct current as well as reverse current connecting the coil of the wire in the
left gap then in the right gap.
5. Finally, we calculated the value of unknown resistances for left gap and right gap by
using the two equations given in the calculation part. Also calculated the temperature
coefficient, 𝛼.

5. Experimental Data

Position of Balance
Temp. Know Position of point, l (cm) Mean 100 – l X Mean
resistance unknown l (cm) (Ohms) X
R resistance (cm) (Ohms)
(0C) (Ohms) (X) Direct Reverse
current current

Left 58.2 59.1 58.65 41.35 7.09

5
Right 49.5 50.5 50 50 5
Left 22.5 51.9 37.2 62.8 4.14
𝜃1 = 24 7 X1 = 6.13
Right 54.5 51.8 53.15 46.85 6.17
Left 47.3 45.5 46.4 53.6 7.79
9
Right 59.3 55.9 57.6 42.4 6.62
Left 58.1 56.1 57.1 42.9 6.65
5
Right 44.5 40.2 42.35 57.65 6.80
Left 56.9 50.7
𝜃2 = 80 7 53.8 46.2 8.15
X2 = 7.66
Right 46.7 49.6 48.15 51.85 7.53
Left 54.3 45.4 49.85 50.15 8.94
9
Right 52.6 54.1 53.35 46.65 7.86

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6. Calculation and Analysis
𝒍
 For Left Gap we use the equation, X = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝒍 × 𝑹

So, with 𝜃1 = 24 °C, we get the following values for X

𝑙 58.65
• When Known Resistance = 5 Ω, X = ×𝑅= × 5 = 7.09 Ω
100−𝑙 100 − 58.65

𝑙 37.2
• When Known Resistance = 7 Ω, X = 100−𝑙 × 𝑅 = 100 − 37.2 × 7 = 4.14 Ω

𝑙 46.4
• When Known Resistance = 9 Ω, X = 100−𝑙 × 𝑅 = 100 − 46.4 × 9 = 7.79 Ω

And, with 𝜃2 = 80 °C, we get the following values for X

𝑙 57.1
• When Known Resistance = 5 Ω, X = 100−𝑙 × 𝑅 = 100 − 57.1 × 5 = 6.65 Ω

𝑙 53.8
• When Known Resistance = 7 Ω, X = ×𝑅= × 7 = 8.15 Ω
100−𝑙 100 − 53.8

𝑙 49.85
• When Known Resistance = 9 Ω, X = 100−𝑙 × 𝑅 = 100 − 49.85 × 9 = 8.94 Ω

𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝒍
 For Right Gap we use the equation, X = 𝒍
× R

Then, with 𝜃1 = 24 °C, we get the following values for X

100 − 𝑙 100 − 50
• When Known Resistance = 5 Ω, X = 𝑙
×R= 50
× 5=5Ω

100 − 𝑙 100 − 53.15

• When Known Resistance = 7 Ω, X = ×R= × 7 = 6.17 Ω
𝑙 53.15

100 − 𝑙 100 − 57.6

• When Known Resistance = 9 Ω, X = 𝑙
×R== 57.6
× 9 = 6.62 Ω

Finally, with 𝜃2 = 80 °C, we get the following values for X

100 − 𝑙 100 − 42.35

• When Known Resistance = 5 Ω, X = ×R= × 5 = 6.80 Ω
𝑙 42.35

100 − 𝑙 100 − 48.15

• When Known Resistance = 7 Ω, X = 𝑙
×R= 48.15
× 7 = 7.53 Ω

100 − 𝑙 100 − 53.35

• When Known Resistance = 9 Ω, X = 𝑙
×R= 53.35
× 9 = 7.86 Ω

So, the temperature coefficient of resistance,

𝑋1 − 𝑋2 6.13745 − 7.66112
α =𝑋 = = 4.43511 × 10−3 ℃−1
1 (𝜃2 − 𝜃1 ) 6.13745(80 − 24)

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7. Results

Temperature coefficient
Temperature (ᵒC) Resistance (Ω) of
resistance (/ᵒC)

24 6.13
4.43511 ×10−3 ℃−1
80 7.66

8. Discussion
i. Care should be taken that the hypsometer and the burner do not heat any other electrical accessories
of the experiment.
ii. While making preliminary adjustment the shunt for the galvanometer should be used. Final
adjustments for the null points should be made without the shunt.

iii. Thermometer reading should remain steady for at least five minutes before reading for balance
point are taken. The correct expression is 𝑅2 = 𝑅1[1 + 𝛼 (𝜃2 - 𝜃1)] where X2 and X1 are resistances
at 𝜃2 and 𝜃1 respectively.
iv. For most pure metals, resistance increases with temperature but for certain alloys such as manganin
and constantan, there is no change in resistance with the change of temperature within a certain
range. For carbon, resistance decreases with temperature and hence 𝛼 is negative. 𝛼 is also negative
for most insulators and electrolytes.

9. References
1. Fundamental of Physics (10th Edition): Resistance and resistivity (Chapter 26, page 755)

2. Video links
i. Temperature coefficient: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmOfi2rn0s

ii. Meter Bridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqx8vIdHVkQ

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