Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A wire of length and diameter is the unknown resistance in a meter bridge. A box is in the other gap. The bridge balances at from the end joined to the wire. Find the resistance of the wire and its resistivity. If the diameter could be wrong by , what is the percentage error in from the diameter alone?
At balance, , with measured from the end where is joined. A resistor in parallel with makes the right arm . For a wire, .
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The resistance. .
Step 2. The resistivity. .
Step 3. The error. , which is .
What to learn. The diameter has the biggest effect on the error, so measure it with care, at several places along the wire.
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