In this lesson you will explore how electric current flows in a wire and explore how current depends on applied voltage, wire length, and wire material. Additionally, you will continue to explore ways to measure current and find ways to aggregate your own data. 

Yesterday, you used this model to explore how wire width affected current and how current can be measured. Now, based on your prior explorations with the model, make a prediction about how wire length will impact current. Use the screenshot below as a reference and answer the question below. 

Use the model below to test your prediction about how wire length affects current.

When you were examining wire width, you compared data with other classmates to come up with a more accurate measurement representing current. Now you can use the modeling tool below to run multiple trials and aggregate your own data.

With your classmates, you found averages by conducting multiple trials and averaging the data collected across trials. Now, you'll be introduced to a tool that allows you to calculate a running average that will average all the measurements for current within one trial. To find that the average current within an individual trial, you can average all the individual current now measurements that you take.

In the workspace below is the model, now with an empty table and empty graph. As you run your model, the table will automatically update data from the model at each tick. Each time you press setup, you will begin a new “run” or trial of data collection. You can graph these data by pulling the variable headers from the table into an axis of the graph. You can also calculate specific information about the data by updating the table with formulas. 

There are instructions on using the data table and graphing tools are embedded in the model's instruction window. You can move this window by dragging it's blue headers and also resize it by dragging any side of it. If you close the instructions, click the GUIDE button that looks like a book in the upper right-hand corner and select "Show Guide". 

Using prior explorations with the model, make a prediction about how wire type will impact current. The model contains three types of wire, each with a different resistance. Resistance is an electrical quantity that measures how the material reduces electric current flow through it. The materials in the model are lead, tin, and aluminum. Use the chart of resistance and the screenshots below to identify what metal matches each model state.

The Ohm meter is a measure of resistivity, with higher values reflecting greater resistance. 

Metal 1 

Metal 2 

Metal 3

Use the model below to test your prediction about how wire metal affects current. When you were examining wire width, you compared data with other classmates to come up with a more accurate measurement representing current measurements taken from multiple trials. Now, just like you did to learn about wire length, you can use the modeling tool below to run multiple trials and aggregate your own data in a similar way.

There are instructions on using the data table and graphing tools are embedded in the model's instruction window. You can move this window by dragging it's blue headers and also resize it by dragging any side of it. If you close the instructions, click the GUIDE button that looks like a book in the upper right-hand corner and select "Show Guide".