9 Jd-5

Calculating resistances
1

Name Class Date

You can calculate the resistance of a component or material using this formula:

resistance =

1 The table below shows some measurements of current and voltage for different wires.
a Fill in the missing units.
b Calculate the resistance of each wire and complete the last column.

Voltage ( ) Current ( ) Resistance ( )

12  2
50 10
20  4
6  2

2 A 2 metre long piece of wire has a resistance of 2 Ω.

a What would its resistance be if it was 4 metres long? Tick (✔) one box.
⬜ 1 Ω ⬜ 2 Ω ⬜ 4 Ω

Explain why you think this.

b Another wire is the same length and made of the same material, but it is thicker. What is its
resistance? Tick (✔) one box.
⬜ 1 Ω ⬜ 2 Ω ⬜ 4 Ω

Explain why you think this.

3 A piece of material has a resistance of 50 000 Ω.

a Is this a high resistance or a low resistance?
b What material is this likely to be? Tick (✔) one box.
⬜ copper ⬜ plastic ⬜ aluminium
c Explain your answer to part b. Use the words ‘conductor’ and ‘insulator’ in your explanation.

© Pearson Education Ltd 2015. Copying permitted for

purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. 29
 9 Jd-5
Calculating resistances
1

I can…
● describe some variables that affect resistance
● use the formula relating voltage, current and resistance.

© Pearson Education Ltd 2015. Copying permitted for

purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. 30