Electricity and Magnetism > Resistance DCS# 5D20.10

TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF RESISTANCE


APPARATUS
DC power supply 202-08-D
multimeter 214-02-B6
GE40 flashlight bulb and socket 202-19-E2
coil of wire 101-11-C
1 L dewar 101-01-B
liquid nitrogen SC dock
video camera 202-09-D

DESCRIPTION
A coil of wire is connected in series with a power supply and light bulb.  The power supply voltage is set to about 8 V so that the bulb barely lights.  When the coil of wire is immersed in liquid nitrogen, the resistance of the wire drops from 150 Ω to 60 Ω and the bulb becomes much brighter.
NOTES  

Use video camera to show bulb or else turn out the lights so the dim bulb is visible.
 

REFERENCE

Sutton H-103, H-104.