EXPERIMENI

Aim
resistivity of two/three wires by plotting a graph between
To determine
potential difference versus current.

Apparatus Required
battery eliminator, voltmeter, ammeter, rheostat and
Aresistance wire,
connecting wires.

Theory
law, the electric current flowing through a conductor is
According to Ohm's
proportional to the potential difference across its ends, provided the
directly
the conductor
physical state (pressure, temperature and dimensions) of
remains unchanged.
Iflis the current flowing through the conductor and Vis the potential
difference across its end, then
V«l
Or; V RI
Where, Ris the constant of proportionality and is termed as the electrical
resistance of the conductor.

Circuit Diagram

HH
Battery Rheostat
5. PROCEDURE
1.Clean the ends of the connecting wire with the help of sandpaper to remove any insulating
coating on them.
2.Connect the resistance, rheostat, battery, key, voltmeter, and ammeter as shown in the figure.
3.Make sure that the pointers in the voltmeter and milliammeter coincide with the zero mark on
the measuring scale. If not, adjust the pointer to coincide with the zero mark by adjusting the
screw provided at the base using a screwdriver.
4.Note the range and the least count of the given voltmeter and milliammeter.
5.Insert the key Kand slide the rheostat to the end where the current flow is minimum.
6.Note the voltmeter and the milliammeter reading.
7.Remove the key Kand allow the wire to cool. Again insert the key and slightly increase the
voltage by moving the rheostat. Note down the milliammeter and voltmeter reading.
8.Repeat step 7 for four different adjustments of the rheostat. Document the readings ina
tabular column.
9. Experiment to be repeated for 2 more materials
Observations
1
Least count of ammeter =A
20

Least count of voltmeter = V

Observation tablei
For wire one; l21 cm
S.No.Voltmeter Ammeter reading Resistance of given
reading- nx L.C. nx L.C. wire (R V/) 9
(in volt) (in ampere)
1
2Xz0 1X (2X-) 1X=20
2
6X20 3x (xX)=20
3
4x0 (8x4x) -20
4
12X 6X (28x)-(7X)=29
For wire two; l=42 cm
S.No.Voltmeter Ammeter reading Resistance of given
reading - nx L.C. nx L.C. wire (R = V/) Q
(in volt) (in ampere)
1
4x0 40

2
12X0 3x (12*,)(3x)-40
3 20x
20 5X,0 (20x)-(5X)=40
4
28X (28x)-(7x)=40
Calculations
Graph for potential versus current (should be on graph pa
according to readings)
Graph for wire-1:

R0.9/0. 15-2ohn
+ 0.30
-Current
0.25
|A-0.16A
0.20
0.15
0.10

0.05f
o2 o3 o4 0.6 o7
potential difference

Resistance of wire one from the graph, R= PS/Os (i.e. reciprocal of slope of the
graph) 29

Graph for wire-2(Should be drawn in same way as above):

V(Volt

Resistance of wire two from the graph, R= BC/AB (i.e. reciprocal of slope of
the graph) 4Q
2X3.14X (0.04)2
Resistivity of wire one:- p1 = Ri= 21X4
1.19X102-cm
 A 4X3.14X(0.04)2
Resistivity of wire two:- p2=Rz,= 42X4
x1.19X10+2-cm

Result
Value of resistivity of two given wires of different lengths is 1.19X1042-cm
Precautions
Allthe electrical connections must be neat and tight.
Voltmeter and Ammeter must be of proper range.
The key should be inserted only while taking readings.