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Experiment 7.1

Aim: To study the effect of changes in resistance and voltage on the electric current

A To study the effect of changes in resistance

Problem statement:
How the change in resistance affects the electric current in the circuit?
Hypothesis:
The higher the resistance, the lesser current would flow in the circuit.

Manipulated variable: The length of the constantan wire

Responding variable: Reading of the ammeter
Constant variable: Number of dry cells
Materials and apparatus: 10 cm constantan wire, dry cells, resistor, connecting wires,
bulb, dry cell holder, ammeter, crocodile clip and a jockey.
Procedure:

Diagram 7.7
1. The circuit is set up as in Diagram 7.7.
2. The end of the jockey is moved at the constantan wire at 𝑙 = 10 𝑐𝑚.
3. The switch is closed and the ammeter reading is recorded.
4. Steps 1 -3 are repeated with the length of constantan wire
𝑙 = 20 𝑐𝑚, 30 𝑐𝑚, 40 𝑐𝑚, 50 𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 60 𝑐𝑚.
5. The results are recorded in a table and a graph of current against voltage is
plotted.
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Observation:
Length of constantan wire, l (cm) Ammeter reading, I (A)
10
20
30
40
50
60

Graph plotted at the graph paper

Discussion:
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Conclusion:
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B To study the effect of changes in voltage on current

Problem statement:
How the change in voltage affects the electric current in the circuit?
Hypothesis:
As the voltage increases, the current in the circuit increases too.

Manipulated variable: Number of dry cells

Responding variable: Ammeter reading
Constant variable: Type of bulb
Materials and apparatus: Dry cells, connecting wires, bulb, cell holder, ammeter,
crocodile clip and voltmeter.

Procedure:

Diagram 7.8
1. The circuit is connected as in Diagram 7.8 using one dry cell.
2. The switch is closed and the ammeter and voltmeter readings are recorded.
3. Steps 1 and 2 are repeated by using two, three and four dry cells.
4. The results are recorded in a table and the current against voltage graph is
plotted.
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Observation:
Total number of dry cells Ammeter reading, I (A) Voltmeter reading, V (V)
1
2
3
4

Graph plotted at the graph paper

Discussion:
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Conclusion:
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