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PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE FOR TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF SRI JAYEWARDENEPURA

Sessions: Tue.Eve, Thu.Eve, Fri.Mor & Eve Module Title: Properties of Materials

Module Code: ETC 1142 Laboratory: Properties of Materials Laboratory

Lecturer In Charge: Dr. Chathuri Nupearachchi | Experiment No: 01

Facilitators: Mr. Ashen Deemantha Liyanage Experiment Name: Determine & Compare the
Resistivity
Ms. Ishini Sooriyabandra of Different Metals

Determine & Compare the Resistivity of Different Metals

Objective:

To determine the resistivity of Constantan & Nichrome wires.

Apparatus:

Meter ruler, Power supply, lm Constantan & Nichrome wires, Micrometer screw gauge,
Voltmeter, Ammeter, Connecting wires, Pencil jockey.

Theory:

The electrical resistance of a wire is a fundamental property that depends on its


material
and geometry. Resistivity is a material property representing the intrinsic ability
of a substance
to impede the flow of electric current. This experiment aims to determine the
resistivity of a
constantan wire by measuring its resistance at different lengths.

Ohm's Law, expressed as R = (V/I), defines the relationship between resistance (R),
voltage (V), and current (I). The resistance of a wire is influenced by its length
(L), cross-
sectional area (A), and resistivity (p). The resistance of a wire can be calculated
using the
formula R= p(L/A).

A = area
L = length

| p = resistivity
( — : ——y i

©Department of Science for Technology, UST


Analysis of Results

The resistivity, p, of the wire is equal to

RA
L

Where: p = resistivity (Q m), R = resistance (Q), A = cross-sectional area of the


wire (m?),

L = length of wire (m)

p=

Rearranging for the resistance, R:

pL
R=—

A
Comparing this to the equation of a straight line: y = mx,

° y=R
e x=L
eo Gradient=p/A

The resistivity can therefore be calculated from the gradient of the resistance
against length
graph, multiplied by the cross-sectional area of the wire.

1. Calculate the cross-sectional area (A), of the wire.

A
4

2. Plot a graph of the length of the wire, L, against the average resistance of the
wire.
Draw a line of best fit and calculate the gradient of this graph. Calculate the
resistivity
p by multiplying the gradient by the cross-sectional area A,

p = gradient x A

Resistance R/€)

AR Gradient = AR/AL = p/A

~
0 Pe

Length L/m

NE
2
©Department of Science for Technology, USJ
Procedure:

Power Supply
@ @®

® Pencil Jockey

Length

I=
ay

Test Wire

1. Measure the diameter of the constantan wire using a micrometer. The measurement
should be taken atleast 3 times randomly along the wire. Calculate the mean
diameter
from these values.

2. Set up the equipment so the wire is taped or clamped to the ruler with one end
of the
circuit attached to the wire where the ruler reads 0. The ammeter is connected in
series
and the voltmeter in parallel to the wire.

3. Attach the flying lead to the test wire at 0.1 m and set the power supply at a
voltage of
6.0 V. Check that this is the voltage through the wire on the voltmeter.

4. Read and record the current from the ammeter, then switch off the current
immediately
after the reading (the short wire will get very hot).

5. Vary the distance between the fixed end of the wire and the flying lead in 0.1 m
intervals
{0.1 m, 0.2 m, 0.3 etc.) until the full length of the 2.0 m wire. The original
length and
the intervals can be changed (e.g. start at 0.1 m and increase in 0.1 m intervals),
as long
as there are 10 readings.

6. Record the current for each length at least 3 times and calculate an average
current.

7. For each length, calculate the average resistance of the length of the wire
using the

equation.
R= 4
1
Where V is the voltage, and I is the average current through the wire for that
length.

©Department of Science for Technology, USJ

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