Electric Circuit: What Slope Tells You

[AddversitY]

What does the slope of a length vs. resistance graph tell you?
Slope=?

What does the slope of an inverse resistance vs. current graph tell you?
Slope=?

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Here's what I had to do for my lab:

1: Construct a circuit where I connect a clip onto a wire that allows electricity to flow. Move the clip down the meter stick until you reach 100cm. Result: The farther I moved the clip down the wire the dimmer my light bulb got. The power source was a battery.

2: Measure and record the voltage of the circuit across the battery - this needs to only to be done once. Result: The voltage stayed the same (I do not know if that is correct).

3: Instert an ammeter and measure and record in a table the corresponding current (I) at each position (l).

4: Predict the Resistance (R) at each position.

5: Construct the following:
A) Length (l) vs Resistance (R)
B) Inverse Resistance (1/R) vs Current (I)

My graphs looked like the following: (If anybody has any recommendations on where to create graphs PLEASE tell me, this site isn't too great.)
A = http://www.chartgo.com/share.do?id=d886b9a8aa
B = http://www.chartgo.com/share.do?id=94f8b0fdaa

 

[rock.freak667]

Firstly how does resistance relate to length? (think of resistivity of a material)

Secondly what does Ohm's law state?

 

[AddversitY]

Firstly how does resistance relate to length? (think of resistivity of a material)

Secondly what does Ohm's law state?

1: The greater the length results in more resistance.

2: Ohm's law: The current passing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference (i.e. voltage drop or voltage) across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.

 

[rock.freak667]

1: The greater the length results in more resistance.

So what formula relates resistance and length?

2: Ohm's law: The current passing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference (i.e. voltage drop or voltage) across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.

So then you have V = IR, how would you rearrange the formula to get in the form Y=MX where you plotted Y against X?

 

[asteriatic]

I would like to provide a response to the content and steps provided in this lab. First, let's discuss what an electric circuit is. An electric circuit is a closed loop or path through which an electric current flows. It typically consists of a power source (such as a battery), conductors (such as wires), and a load (such as a light bulb). The flow of current in a circuit is directly related to the voltage and resistance in the circuit. Now, let's focus on the two graphs that were constructed in this lab - length vs. resistance and inverse resistance vs. current.

The slope of a length vs. resistance graph tells us the resistance per unit length of the wire. In other words, it shows the relationship between the length of the wire and the resistance it presents to the flow of current. The greater the slope, the greater the resistance per unit length of the wire. This can also be seen in the equation R = ρl/A, where R is the resistance, ρ is the resistivity of the material, l is the length of the wire, and A is the cross-sectional area of the wire. Therefore, the slope of a length vs. resistance graph can provide us with information about the resistivity of the wire.

Moving on to the inverse resistance vs. current graph, the slope of this graph tells us the resistance per unit current in the circuit. In other words, it shows the relationship between the current flowing through the circuit and the resistance it encounters. The greater the slope, the greater the resistance per unit current in the circuit. This can also be seen in the equation V = IR, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance. Therefore, the slope of an inverse resistance vs. current graph can provide us with information about the resistance in the circuit.

In conclusion, the slope of a graph in an electric circuit can provide us with valuable information about the resistance and resistivity in the circuit. By analyzing the slope, we can better understand the behavior of the circuit and make predictions about its performance. Additionally, it is important to note that the voltage in the circuit remained constant in this lab, as it is a characteristic of the power source. I hope this response has been helpful in understanding the concepts and implications of the graphs constructed in this lab.