SCEN103 -- Play-Doh: Length

Play-Doh: Length Dependence of Resistance:

The resulting values of voltage across various lengths of a Play-Doh cylinder are given below. Note that the values of current through the Play-Doh are constant. Corresponding values of resistance are calculated using Ohm's law.

(meas)   (meas)  (meas)     (calc)
Length  Voltage  Current  Resistance
 (cm)     (V)     (A)      (ohm)
   2      0.98    0.158       6.2 
   4      2.12    0.162      13.1
   6      3.35    0.164      20.4
   8      4.46    0.164      27.2
  10      5.76    0.165      34.9

Data taken 2/27/96.

The linear dependence of resistance on length is evident from the graph.

(Note: the uncertainty in length can be assumed to be 2 mm and the uncertainty in resistance is around 2%.)

"http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/playdo1.html"
Last updated Sept. 26, 1996.
Copyright George Watson, Univ. of Delaware, 1996.