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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Physics => Topic started by: luken93 on April 19, 2010, 04:28:49 pm

Title: What should I do???
Post by: luken93 on April 19, 2010, 04:28:49 pm
For an upcoming investigational prac, we have to measure the resistance of a pencil line.

The only problem is, I understand how to measure it, but can anyone think of a method of getting the same thickness of line everytime, and then doubling, tripling etc to show variables?

I just can't think of a way to get exactly the same thickness, because otherwise it won't really show any true results
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: the.watchman on April 19, 2010, 04:32:57 pm
For an upcoming investigational prac, we have to measure the resistance of a pencil line.

The only problem is, I understand how to measure it, but can anyone think of a method of getting the same thickness of line everytime, and then doubling, tripling etc to show variables?

I just can't think of a way to get exactly the same thickness, because otherwise it won't really show any true results

HA lol, our school is doing VYPT (victorian youth physics tournament), and that's one of the questions :P
We're having trouble thinking of a way to control it as well, but we haven't had much time to work on it yet :)
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: luken93 on April 19, 2010, 05:04:57 pm
For an upcoming investigational prac, we have to measure the resistance of a pencil line.

The only problem is, I understand how to measure it, but can anyone think of a method of getting the same thickness of line everytime, and then doubling, tripling etc to show variables?

I just can't think of a way to get exactly the same thickness, because otherwise it won't really show any true results

HA lol, our school is doing VYPT (victorian youth physics tournament), and that's one of the questions :P
We're having trouble thinking of a way to control it as well, but we haven't had much time to work on it yet :)
Well thats the thing, even if you had a machine drawing lines, it would still get blunt after every line, which would create a broader line etc etc...

Btw still haven't found that yr 11 methods stuff yet? I could do with something other than the crappy ones our school uses.
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: the.watchman on April 19, 2010, 05:18:28 pm
For an upcoming investigational prac, we have to measure the resistance of a pencil line.

The only problem is, I understand how to measure it, but can anyone think of a method of getting the same thickness of line everytime, and then doubling, tripling etc to show variables?

I just can't think of a way to get exactly the same thickness, because otherwise it won't really show any true results

HA lol, our school is doing VYPT (victorian youth physics tournament), and that's one of the questions :P
We're having trouble thinking of a way to control it as well, but we haven't had much time to work on it yet :)
Well thats the thing, even if you had a machine drawing lines, it would still get blunt after every line, which would create a broader line etc etc...

Btw still haven't found that yr 11 methods stuff yet? I could do with something other than the crappy ones our school uses.


I know, it's a tough one to sort out...

No, I haven't, sorry
I think it's been taken off our school intranet
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: /0 on April 19, 2010, 05:27:20 pm
resistance of a pencil line?
What exactly is that o.O
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: the.watchman on April 19, 2010, 05:30:25 pm
resistance of a pencil line?
What exactly is that o.O

Basically, if you draw a pencil line on some paper and hook a circuit and battery up to it, electricity will flow (coz graphite is conductive...)

But to control the variables when testing seems pretty hard...
Title: Re: What should I do???
Post by: luken93 on April 20, 2010, 06:04:49 pm
Ended up putting a pencil on the front of one of those trolley carts and putting a couple of weights on it, the teacher said that was the best we could do. Worst part about it is that you have to sharpen it to maintain the same thickness after every line :(