Background Information
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the build-up of charged particles, either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current (Oxford dictionary, 2015). The effect of electricity can be seen in play daily, whether through a simple light bulb, or a complex application such as providing energy to a power plant. It is often stated that electricity is the most versatile and easily controlled form of energy, and at the point of use it is practically loss-free and essentially non-polluting (I.E.C., 2015). However, as with most energy, electricity experiences a force that acts against its efficiency, known as resistivity or resistance. Resistivity is the material property that pertains to how difficult it is for …show more content…
The power pack was connected to a non-power electrical outlet.
2. Alligator-clip wires were attached to the D.C. outputs of the power pack.
3. An ammeter with already an alligator clip wire attached, was connected to one end of a wire that was attached to the power pack (See Diagram A).
4. The opposite ends of the alligator clip wires were attached to either end of a 17.5cm long graphite pencil (making sure that both ends of the pencil were sharpened).
5. A voltmeter that had two alligator clip wire attached was connected to either end of the graphite pencil
6. The electrical outlet and the power pack were turned on, ensuring that the voltage on the power pack was set to 8V.
7. The current and the voltage were then recorded for the pencil type and length*
8. The results were then implemented into the resistance (see formula A), and resistivity (see formula B) formula.
9. The following steps were repeated for the 10V setting on the power pack, along with the other eight varieties of lead pencils, as well as for the lengths: 13cm, 9cm, and 5cm.
* Ensure that results are recorded before the graphite pencil gains heat; otherwise results will be inaccurate.
Formula B: Resistivity (Ω•m) = R x
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the build-up of charged particles, either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current (Oxford dictionary, 2015). The effect of electricity can be seen in play daily, whether through a simple light bulb, or a complex application such as providing energy to a power plant. It is often stated that electricity is the most versatile and easily controlled form of energy, and at the point of use it is practically loss-free and essentially non-polluting (I.E.C., 2015). However, as with most energy, electricity experiences a force that acts against its efficiency, known as resistivity or resistance. Resistivity is the material property that pertains to how difficult it is for …show more content…
The power pack was connected to a non-power electrical outlet.
2. Alligator-clip wires were attached to the D.C. outputs of the power pack.
3. An ammeter with already an alligator clip wire attached, was connected to one end of a wire that was attached to the power pack (See Diagram A).
4. The opposite ends of the alligator clip wires were attached to either end of a 17.5cm long graphite pencil (making sure that both ends of the pencil were sharpened).
5. A voltmeter that had two alligator clip wire attached was connected to either end of the graphite pencil
6. The electrical outlet and the power pack were turned on, ensuring that the voltage on the power pack was set to 8V.
7. The current and the voltage were then recorded for the pencil type and length*
8. The results were then implemented into the resistance (see formula A), and resistivity (see formula B) formula.
9. The following steps were repeated for the 10V setting on the power pack, along with the other eight varieties of lead pencils, as well as for the lengths: 13cm, 9cm, and 5cm.
* Ensure that results are recorded before the graphite pencil gains heat; otherwise results will be inaccurate.
Formula B: Resistivity (Ω•m) = R x