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Difference between revisions of "Electrical Resistance"

(Example Calculations)
(Example Calculations)
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| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''A student [[measure]]s a [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] of 5.9[[V]] across a [[component]] and a [[Electrical Current|current]] of 0.11[[A]]. Calculate the resistance correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]].'''
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| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''A student [[measure]]s a [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] of 5.9V across a [[component]] and a [[Electrical Current|current]] of 0.11A. Calculate the resistance correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]].'''
 
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''Calculate the resistance of a [[buzzer]] connected in [[Series Circuit|series]] to a 9V [[battery]] with an [[ammeter]] reading of 23mA correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]].'''
 
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''Calculate the resistance of a [[buzzer]] connected in [[Series Circuit|series]] to a 9V [[battery]] with an [[ammeter]] reading of 23mA correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]].'''
 
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Revision as of 15:13, 25 February 2019

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Resistance is a description of how difficult it is to increase the current through a conductor when increasing the potential difference.

About Resistance

The unit of resistance is the Ohm (Ω).
Resistance cannot be directly measured. Resistance must be calculated by dividing the Potential Difference by the Current.
Conductors have a low resistance and insulators have a high resistance.

Equation

Resistance = (Potential Difference)/(Current)

\[R = \frac{V}{I}\] Where: \[R\] = Resistance of a component. \[V\] = The Potential Difference across the component. \[I\] = The current through the component.

Example Calculations

A student measures a potential difference of 5V across a component and a current of 0.1A. Calculate the resistance. A bulb has a current of 200mA passing through it and a potential difference of 12V across it. Calculate the resistance of the bulb. Calculate the resistance of a buzzer connected in series to a 6V battery with an ammeter reading of 10mA.

Potential Difference = 5V

Current = 0.1A

\(R = \frac{V}{I}\)

\(R = \frac{5}{0.1}\)

\( R = 50 \Omega\)

Potential Difference = 12V

Current = 200mA = 0.2A

\(R = \frac{V}{I}\)

\(R = \frac{12}{0.2}\)

\( R = 60 \Omega\)

Potential Difference = 6V

Current = 10mA = 0.01A

\(R = \frac{V}{I}\)

\(R = \frac{6}{0.01}\)

\( R = 600 \Omega\)

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Resistance is the ratio of potential difference to current.

About Resistance

The unit of resistance is the Ohm (Ω).
Resistance cannot be directly measured. Resistance must be calculated by dividing the Potential Difference by the Current.
Conductors have a low resistance and insulators have a high resistance.

Equation

Resistance = (Potential Difference)/(Current)

\[R = \frac{V}{I}\] Where: \[R\] = Resistance of a component. \[V\] = The Potential Difference across the component. \[I\] = The current through the component.

Example Calculations

A student measures a potential difference of 5.9V across a component and a current of 0.11A. Calculate the resistance correct to two significant figures. Calculate the resistance of a buzzer connected in series to a 9V battery with an ammeter reading of 23mA correct to two significant figures.
1. State the known quantities in correct units.

Potential Difference = 5.9V

Current = 0.11A

1. State the known quantities in correct units.

Potential Difference = 9V

Current = 23mA = 23x10-3A

2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.

\(R = \frac{V}{I}\)

\(R = \frac{5.9}{0.11}\)

\( R = 53.635 \Omega\)

\( R \approx 54\Omega\)

2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.

\(R = \frac{V}{I}\)

\(R = \frac{9}{23\times10^{-3}}\)

\( R = 391.304 \Omega\)

\( R \approx 390 \Omega\)