The Accuracy of Listed Values of Resistors
The purpose of our experiment was to determine how length affects the accuracy of listed values of various resistors. Six resistors were tested based on varying lengths. There were two resistors of length less than 1 cm, two resistors of approximately 1 cm, and two resistors greater than 1 cm in length. To find the actual resistance, the resistors were connected to a multimeter set to Ohmmeter. To find the efficiency, we used the formula for percent error [(Measure-Listed)/Listed *100]. The actual and theoretical currents were also found, based on a voltage of 2 volts in a circuit. The percent error in current was also found using the same formula as resistance. To analyze the significance of the percent error, 6 one-sample t tests were done, three based on current and three based on resistance, comparing the different groups of lengths. Five of the t tests resulted in a p-value very close to zero, proving there was a significant difference between the listed and measured values of resistance and current based on length. The t test of the resistance of the high lengths was the one test that did not show a significant difference between the percent errors. Based on the results, resistors with greater lengths have actual resistances closer to the listed value, because the percent error in these resistors does not significantly differ from zero.
Research Done By:
Tejas Kapadia
Cousino High School
Tigi Lukose
Cousino High School
Warren Consolidated Schools