Chapter 16

Current Electricity
(Resistance)

16.4

Resistance

Resistance is a property of material that

restricts the movement of free electrons
in the material.
difficult
Resistance is a measure of how _________
___________________________________
it is for an electric current to pass
through a material

The Measurement of Resistance

Resistance of a component is defined as the
ratio of V/I, where V is the potential
difference across the material and I is
the current flowing in it.

V
R=
I

where R = Resistance in ohms ()

V = Potential Difference (V)
I = Current (A)

The Measurement of Resistance

S.I unit for Resistance is ohms ().

Resistors
Resistors are used in a circuit to
control the size of current flowing in a
circuit.

Resistors
Types of Resistors
Fixed Resistor - Resistance is fixed

Variable Resistor (rheostats) - Resistance

can be varied.

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Apparatus: resistor, R (unknown resistance)
voltmeter, ammeter,
variable resistor (rheostat),
wires, switch, dry cells.

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Procedure:
1. Set up the circuit according to the
circuit diagram shown.
A

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Procedure:
2. Adjust the variable resistor to allow
the smallest possible current to flow
in the circuit.
3. Note the ammeter reading (I ) and
voltmeter reading (V ).

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Procedure:
4. Adjust the variable resistor to allow
a larger current to flow in the circuit.
Again note the values of I and V.
5. Repeat the above for five sets of I
and V readings.

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Procedure:
6. Plot a graph of V against I, and
determine the gradient of the graph.
V/V
V
Gradient =
I

I/A

Determining the resistance of a

resistor
Conclusion:
The gradient of the graph gives the
resistance of the load R.
V/V
V
Gradient =
I
= resistance
I/A

Resistivity
Beside temperature , the resistance of a
given conductor depends on
(i)
its lengths, l
(ii)
its cross-sectional area, A
(iii)
the type of material

Resistivity
Cross-sectional area of conductor
Thinner wires have higher resistance than
thicker wire.
Length of conductor
Longer wires have higher resistance than
shorter wire.

Resistivity

R 1
A
R l
A
R = kl
A

Rl

R = Resistance ()
K = Resistivity (m)
l = length of conductor (m)
A = Cross-sectional area of conductor (m2)