Name: Maryanne King
Class: Grade 10A
Date: 2025-10-21
Lab Number: 18
Title: Effect of Wire Length on Bulb Brightness in a Simple Circuit
Problem Statement: How does the length of the wire in a simple circuit affect the brightness
of a bulb?
Hypothesis: If the connecting wire length is increased, then the bulb will be less bright
because longer wire increases the total circuit resistance, which decreases the current through
the bulb as well as the voltage across the bulb.
Aim: To design and construct a simple circuit to test how varying wire lengths (10 cm, 20
cm, 30 cm) affect bulb brightness and voltage.
Materials/Apparatus:
- 1.5V battery (AA or D-cell)
- Small bulb (1.5V) with holder
- Insulated copper wires (30 cm, 20 cm, 10 cm lengths)
- Alligator clips (6)
- Switch
- Multimeter
- Ruler
- Tape
Method:
1. Connect the battery to the switch using a 10 cm wire.
2. Attach the switch to the bulb holder using another 10 cm wire.
3. Complete the circuit by connecting the bulb holder back to the battery.
4. Connect the 10cm wire
5. Close the switch and observe bulb brightness.
6. Measure voltage across the bulb using the multimeter.
7. Record observations.
8. Replace the wires connecting the bulb holder with 20 cm wires.
9. Repeat brightness observation and voltage measurement.
10. Replace the wires with 30 cm wires.
11. Repeat observations and measurements.
12. Record bulb brightness (qualitative: dim, normal, bright).
13. Record voltage readings for each wire length.
Variables:
- Independent Variable: Length of the connecting wire (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm).
- Dependent Variable: Bulb brightness and bulb voltage (V).
- Control Variables: Battery type and charge level, bulb type, wire type, switch, measurement
method, room lighting, room temperature, and connection method.
Presentation of Data:
TITLE
Wire Length (cm) Bulb Brightness Voltage (V)
10
20
30
Expected Results:
- With additional wire length, overall resistance in the circuit is increased somewhat. This
reduces current through the bulb, so the bulb becomes dimmer as wire lengths increase.
- The reading on voltage across the bulb will be somewhat reduced with longer wires because
of voltage drops through wires and battery internal resistance when under load.
- Accordingly: 10 cm → most brilliant, 20 cm → medium, 30 cm → least brilliant.
Sources of Error:
- Poor or loose connections at clips causing additional contact resistance.
- Battery not fully charged or battery voltage dropping over time (internal resistance
changes).
- Variations in wire gauge or oxidation on wire/crocodile clip surfaces.
Limitations:
- Only using one bulb and one battery restricts generalization, results with other bulbs or
larger voltages may vary.
-Qualitative observation of brightness is subjective unless a light meter or photometer is used
to take the measurements.
- Lengths of wire tested are short (10–30 cm); differences in resistance are slight, so changes
are subtle.
Precautions:
- Check polarity of batteries prior to plugging in.
- Make secure connections using alligator clips to avoid sparks or poor fit.
- Never short directly between battery terminals (to prevent overheating).