to investigate the variation of current(i) with pd(v) for a thin metallic conductor

Question 1

name the device in the circuit that is used to vary the potential difference across the conductor.

Answer 1

a rheostat or variable resistor

Question 2

explain how the student used this device to vary the potential difference.

Answer 2

by adjusting the rheostat, the resistance of the circuit is adjusted. the voltage is being divided between the thin metallic conductor’s resistance and the rheostat’s resistance, and when adjusted or varied, results to lowering/increasing the voltage

Question 3

use the data in the table to draw a graph to show the variation of current with potential difference.

Answer 3

current vs voltage

Question 4

explain the shape of your graph

Answer 4

the graph is a straight-line graph through the origin showing that for a thin metallic conductor at constant temperature, the current is directly proportional to the applied voltage.