EXPERIMENT NO.
1 RESISTIVITY OF WIRES
Aim: To Determine the resistivity of the given wires by plotting a graph between
potential difference and current
Apparatus Required:
A wire of unknown resistance , Voltmeter, ammeter, Battery Eliminator, rheostat, one
way key, connecting wire and screw gauge.
Theory: At constant physical conditions, the potential difference applied across is
directly proportional to current through it. V I
Formula: Unknown Resistance i) R=V / I where V is the potential difference I is the
current flowing through the conductor
ii) Diameter of the unknown resistor D= (PSR+HSR) ±ZC, where PSR is the pitch
scale reading, HSR is Head scale reading and ZC is zero correction
Procedure:
1. Connect the components according to the circuit diagram
2. Note whether pointers in ammeter and voltmeter coincide with the zero mark
on the measuring scale. If it is not, note the zero error and apply the zero
correction.
3. Insert the key K and slide the rheostat contact to one of its extreme ends, so
that current passing through the resistance wire is minimum.
4. Note the milli-ammeter and voltmeter readings.
5. Take five different readings by adjusting the position of the rheostat. Record
your observations in a tabular form.
6. Plot a graph between the potential difference and current and determine the
resistance from the graph.
7. Find the thickness of the wire using screw gauge.
8. Use the formula to determine the resistivity of the given wire.
9. Now insert wire 2 and repeat the steps from 4 to 8.
Range of ammeter = 0 - ……A Least count of ammeter = ……A
Range of voltmeter = 0 - ……V Least count of voltmeter = …..V
Model graph
R = slope = AB / BC
To find the area of cross section of the unknown wire using a screw gauge
L.C = 0.01mm, Z.E = ……div Z.C = ………mm
Length of the wire 1 = 1m Length of the wire 2 = ….m
Wire Pitch Scale Head scale H.S.R = Total Reading Area of cross
Reading coincidence HSC x LC PSR+HSR±ZC section r2
mm mm x 10-6 m2
Wire 1 0
Wire 2 0
OBSERVATIONS:
Wire [Link] Voltmeter reading Ammeter reading
in Volts in ampere
Wire 1 1
2
3
4
5
Wire 2 1
2
3
4
5
Calculations:
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Ensure the circuit connections are correct and tight before inserting the key.
2. Do not pass the current for a long time as this can heat the wire and change its
value.
3. A low resistance rheostat must be used.
SOURCES OF ERROR:
1. The ammeter and voltmeters are not ideal and so this can affect the value of the
resistance.
2. The resistance of the connecting wires and rheostat has not been included.
3. The resistance wire may have kinks.
4. The screw gauge may have a back lash error, and this can affect the value of the
resistivity.
RESULT: The resistivity of i) wire 1……….Ω m
ii) wire 2……….Ω m
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