Electricity and

Conductors
MOORE 3.17 PHYSICS: ELECTROMAGNETICS

Question

How Do Different Conductors Affect the Electric Current of A

Circuit?

Abstract

Conductors are a very important part of our lives. They allow our
planet to work as it does. Knowing which conductive materials are
most conductive allows us to be efficient in moving electricity. My
question was, how do different conductors affect the electric current
of a circuit? My hypothesis was, if I construct circuits using different
conductors, then the circuits using copper as the conductor will have
the highest rate of flow of electric current, because copper has lower
resistivity. I tested my question by constructing circuits using
different conductors and measuring the amperage with a multimeter.
My results found the circuits galvanized steel wires to have the
highest amperage. Although, the difference between galvanized steel
and copper was negligible. My results may also have been affected
by human error. Through my testing, my hypothesis was not
supported.

Hypothesis

If I construct circuits using different conductors, then the circuits

using copper as the conductor will have the highest rate of flow
of electric current, because copper has lower resistivity.

Materials

400 cm of 18 Gauge Solid Bare Copper Wire

400 cm of 18 Gauge Solid Bare Aluminum Wire

400 cm of 18 Gauge Solid Bare Galvanized Steel Wire

5 1.5V Light Bulbs

Bulb holder

4 E90 Batteries

Multimeter

Procedure
(Slide 1 of 2)
1.

For each different wire material, cut 20 pieces that are 10 cm long and 40
pieces that are 5 cm long.

2.

Grab 1 10 cm long piece and 2 5cm long pieces that are of the same
material.

3.

Connect one end of the 10 cm long piece to the positive side of the
battery, and the other end to one of the contact screws of the bulb holder.

4.

Connect one of the 5 cm long pieces to the other contact screw of the bulb
holder.

5.

Connect the remaining 5 cm long wire to the negative side of the battery.

6.

Prepare the multimeter by selecting DC amperage, setting the range, and

plugging in the leads.

Procedure
(Slide

2 of 2)

Independent Variable: The conductor being used in the circuit

Dependent Variable: The rate of flow of electric current of the

circuits

Constants: The type of batteries being used in each circuit, the

type of light bulb being used in each circuit, the gauge of the
wires being used, the multimeter being used

Experimental Pictures

Results
Conduct
or
Material

Amperag Amperag Amperag Amperag Amperag Average

e for
e for
e for
e for
e for
Amperag
Circuit 1 Circuit 2 Circuit 3 Circuit 4 Circuit 5 e

Copper

0.235

0.240

0.235

0.220

0.220

0.230

Aluminum

Galvanized
Steel

0.225

0.235

0.230

0.225

0.240

0.231

Graph
Chart Title
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0

Copper

Aluminum
Circuit 1

Circuit 2

Circuit 3

Galvanized Steel
Circuit 4

Circuit 5

Conclusion

Galvanized steel had a slightly higher average than copper. I was

not able to collect results for the aluminum wire. This may have
been caused by an issue with the circuit connections, the wire, or
the multimeter. Therefore, my hypothesis was not supported.
Since this was a small scale experiment with potential human
errors, the results may not be perfectly accurate. A larger scale,
more carefully performed experiment would most likely have
different results than my own.

Works Cited

HyperPhysics Concepts. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

"Electromagnetism - Electrostatic Force: The Four Fundamental Forces of Physics

#4a."

YouTube. YouTube, 26 June 2012. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

Chavis, Jason, and Bronwyn Harris. WiseGeek. Conjecture. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

"Power System." How Do Batteries Work? Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

"What Is "Electricity"?1996 William J. Beaty Electrical Engineer." What Is

Electricity? Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

"Science Concept: Volts, Watts, and Amps." Volts, Watts, and Amps. Web. 17
Sept. 2015.

"Copper and Electricity. Resistance and Resisitivty." Copper and Electricity.

Resistance and Resisitivty. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

"Rules for All Projects." Student Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2015.