3.1.5
Resistance & Current 2
Measuring Resistance
Measuring Resistance
We calculate the resistance using R = V/I. We calculate potential difference using a voltmeter and current using an ammeter at the same time.
Potential difference across a component
Potential difference across a component
- To measure the resistance of a component (e.g. lamp or resistor), measure the potential difference across the component.
Current through a component
Current through a component
- Use an ammeter to measure the current flowing through a component.
Resistance
Resistance
- The longer the wire, the higher the resistance
Resistors in Series
Resistors in Series
In series circuits, the resistors all oppose the flow of electric current through the circuit. Their total resistance is calculated by adding up the resistances of each individual resistor: R = R1 + R2 + R3 +....
Water pipes
Water pipes
- If you take a single pipe with water (like electric current) flowing through it, and put a rock into it, the rock blocks the flow of water (like a resistor).
- Adding more rocks next to each other in the pipe makes it harder to push water through.
Resistance
Resistance
The combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than the resistances of either of the two resistors by themselves.
Like water draining through a bucket
Like water draining through a bucket
- Consider a bucket full of water with a hole in the bottom:
- Water drains out of the bucket.
- If a second hole is drilled into the bucket the water (like adding another resistor in parallel) will drain faster.
- It does not matter how narrow the second hole is (how high it’s resistance is), it is always faster for water to flow through two holes instead of one.
1Biology
2Chemistry
2.1Practicals
2.1.1Salts
2.1.2Neutralisation
2.1.3Titration
2.1.4Electrolysis
2.1.5Electrolysis 2
2.1.6Rate of Reaction
2.1.7Rate of Reaction 2
2.1.8Chromatography
2.1.9Identifying Gases
2.1.10Identifying Gases 2
2.1.11Identifying Ions
2.1.12Carbonates, Halides & Sulfates
2.1.13Flame Emission Spectroscopy
2.1.14Water Purification
2.1.15Water Purification 2
3Physics
3.1Practicals
Jump to other topics
1Biology
2Chemistry
2.1Practicals
2.1.1Salts
2.1.2Neutralisation
2.1.3Titration
2.1.4Electrolysis
2.1.5Electrolysis 2
2.1.6Rate of Reaction
2.1.7Rate of Reaction 2
2.1.8Chromatography
2.1.9Identifying Gases
2.1.10Identifying Gases 2
2.1.11Identifying Ions
2.1.12Carbonates, Halides & Sulfates
2.1.13Flame Emission Spectroscopy
2.1.14Water Purification
2.1.15Water Purification 2
3Physics
3.1Practicals
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