In the FlinnPREP™ Inquiry Lab for AP® Physics 1: Resistance and Resistivity, students identify how resistivity, length and gauge affect resistance.
Includes access to exclusive FlinnPREP™ digital content to combine the benefits of classroom, laboratory and digital learning. Each blended learning lab solution includes prelab videos about concepts, techniques and procedures, summary videos that relate the experiment to the AP® exam, built-in student lab safety training with assessments, and standards-based, tested inquiry labs with real sample data. FlinnPREP™ Inquiry Lab Solutions are adaptable to you and how you teach with multiple ways to access and run your AP labs.
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AP Physics 1, Big Idea 1, Investigation 16
All matter has one thing in common—resistivity, an intrinsic property that resists the flow of electricity. However, resistivity is a small part of determining the resistance of a specific material. Metal wire is a terrific conductor, but the length and thickness (gauge) of the wire can hinder the flow of electricity. In this advanced-inquiry lab, students study how these three factors—resistivity, length and gauge—affect resistance.
Students begin by investigating the resistance of nichrome wire using a multimeter and varying the separation of the measuring probes. This procedure provides a model for the guided-inquiry activity, during which students design an experiment to determine the effect the gauge of wire has on resistance. Error analysis of resistivity for each gauge of wire provides students with a method to assess their experimental design. Students may also investigate further by studying the effect temperature has on resistance.
Complete for 24 students working in pairs. Multimeters and meter sticks are required and available separately. All materials are reusable.
FLINNprep is just one of the powerful learning pathways accessed via PAVO, Flinn’s award-winning gateway to standards-aligned digital science content paired with hands-on learning.
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