Resistance in a wire Phet simulation

Activity

1. How does the length of conductor effect the resistance? Record values of R for 8 lengths. Plot a graph of R vs L. Describe the relationship between R and L.
2. How does the cross-sectional area of the conductor effect the resistance. Record values of R vs. A for 8 areas. Plot R vs. A. To prove the relationship, you will also need to plot R vs. 1/A. Use your graph to describe the relationship between R and A.
3. How does the resistivity effect the resistance for any particular sample size? Explain why.
4. Explain the statement: ‘resistivity is a material property, whereas resistance is specific to a sample’.
5. Explain how and why an increase in temperature would effect the resistivity of the conductor.