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course Phy 202
We used a hand crank generator and cranked it with the test leads unhooked and then touched them together. When the clips are touched together it becomes harder to crank.We were then asked for the generator being cranked at a constant rate a series of descriptions to match with the conditions of it cranking easier and cranking harder.
It required more force on the handle to turn it when it was hard to crank than it did when it was easier. Work is force*distance, and the crank is being turned at a constant rate so it travels the same distance per unit of time with easy and hard cranks so there is more work being completed per unit of time when the generator is harder to crank since it takes more force to crank.
Power=work/time, so power produced is greater for the harder crank. When the handle is harder to crank, there is more mechanical resistance. A greater amount of mechanical resistance equals lesser electrical resistance, so there is less electrical resistance when the handle is hard to crank.
When there is less electrical resistance more current can flow, so when the handle is hard to crank there is more current flowing through the wires.
We then connected the leads of the generator to a length of small diameter nickel chromium wire. The handle was harder to crank as the leads were moved closer together on the wire, indicating low resistance. As the leads were moved further away on the wire it became easier to crank, indicating higher resistance.
We then connected the leads to a larger diameter wire and compared to the smaller wire. The larger wire required more force to crank, indicating lower resistance.
&#Good work. Let me know if you have questions. &#