Why this practical matters
These experiments link current, potential difference, resistance, and energy in a clear lab circuit.
A thermistor does the opposite of a metal, which is a favourite exam comparison.
What You Need
Apparatus
- power supply or cells
- ammeter and voltmeter
- variable resistor
- resistor, wire, thermistor, or bulb
- thermistor probe
Key Formula
Say the formula out loud before you start the calculation. It helps students and examiners follow your logic.
How To Do It
- Set up the resistance of a thermistor with temperature apparatus neatly and make sure the scale or meter reading starts from a known point.
- Build the circuit neatly, check the meter polarity, vary one quantity at a time, and plot a graph where needed.
- Use the result to explain the physics idea in simple English. A thermistor does the opposite of a metal, which is a favourite exam comparison.
Simple Explanation
A thermistor does the opposite of a metal, which is a favourite exam comparison.
In the lab, we are not just collecting numbers. We are showing a physics rule in a real and reliable way. That is why careful setup, repeat readings, and clear labelling matter so much.
Common Mistakes
- Putting the voltmeter in series.
- Forgetting to switch off before changing the circuit.
- Using too high a current and heating the component too much.
Exam Tips
- Say which meter goes in series and which goes in parallel.
- Describe the graph shape, not only the readings.
- Mention why the circuit must be kept cool when needed.
- State the observation, the method, and the conclusion in that order.