In this experiment, you will determine the resistivity of constantan wire. You measures the resistance R of a 1.00 m length of wire using a battery, ammeter...

Assessment: Physics 0625 | Paper 5 Mock 01 | Practical Test Subject: Physics - 0625

Question 1 Report

In this experiment, you will determine the resistivity of constantan wire. You measures the resistance R of a 1.00 m length of wire using a battery, ammeter and voltmeter. You measures the diameter d of the wire at three points along its length using a micrometer. You calculates the resistivity using ρ = R × A / l, where A = π(d/2)2. Your micrometer readings are shown in Table 57.1.

diagram
MeasurementValue
Micrometer reading 1 / mm0.38
Micrometer reading 2 / mm0.36
Micrometer reading 3 / mm0.37
Voltmeter reading / V1.15
Ammeter reading / A0.29

(a) Record the three micrometer readings. [1]

(b) Calculate the mean diameter. [1]

(c) Calculate the cross-sectional area in mm2 and then in m2. [2]

(d) Calculate the resistance of the wire. [1]

(e) Calculate the resistivity of the wire in Ω m. Show your working. [2]

(f) State one reason why you takes three micrometer readings. [1]

(g) Describe how to check for zero error on the micrometer. [1]

(h) Record the resolution of the micrometer. [1]

(i) Measure the range of micrometer readings. [1]

Answer Details

(a) The three micrometer readings are: 0.38 mm, 0.36 mm, and 0.37 mm. [1]

(b) Mean diameter:

\[ d = \frac{0.38 + 0.36 + 0.37}{3} = \frac{1.11}{3} = 0.37 \text{ mm} \] [1]

(c) Cross-sectional area: [2]

\[ A = \pi \left(\frac{d}{2}\right)^2 = \pi \times (0.185)^2 = \pi \times 0.03423 = 0.1075 \text{ mm}^2 \] [1]

Converting to m\( ^2 \):

\[ A = 0.1075 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}^2 = 1.075 \times 10^{-7} \text{ m}^2 \] [1]

Since 1 mm = 10\( ^{-3} \) m, 1 mm\( ^2 \) = 10\( ^{-6} \) m\( ^2 \).

(d) Resistance of the wire:

\[ R = \frac{V}{I} = \frac{1.15}{0.29} = 3.97 \text{ }\Omega \] [1]

(e) Resistivity of the wire: [2]

\[ \rho = \frac{R \times A}{l} = \frac{3.97 \times 1.075 \times 10^{-7}}{1.00} \] [1]

\[ \rho = 4.3 \times 10^{-7} \text{ }\Omega\text{ m} \] [1]

The accepted value for constantan is approximately \( 4.9 \times 10^{-7} \) \( \Omega \) m. The slight difference is within experimental error.

(f) Three micrometer readings are taken to detect if the diameter varies along the wire and to obtain a more reliable average. A non-uniform wire would give different values at different points. [1]

(g) To check for zero error: close the micrometer jaws with nothing between them and check that the reading is exactly zero. If it is not, note the zero error and subtract it from all subsequent readings. [1]

(h) The resolution of the micrometer is 0.01 mm. [1]

(i) Range of micrometer readings:

\[ \text{Range} = 0.38 - 0.36 = 0.02 \text{ mm} \] [1]

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