Question

name: wire simulation investigation activator: how do you think adding more batteries will affect... a) the electricity in a wire. b) the brightness of light - bulbs. research question: in physics we often ask questions framed in the following way: what is the effect of voltage on current in a wire? independent variable dependent variable we answer these questions by conducting an experiment. 1. what do you see happen to the electrons in the wire as you increase the voltage of the energy source? answer: results: when increases, independent variable dependent variable increases / decreases / doesnt change naming variables: lets name some of the variables in the simulation and categorize them as dependent or independent. what are some variables (things we can change or measure) in the simulation? variable how we measure it independent can we change this variable directly? dependent does this variable change when you adjust something else? voltage volts (v) independent

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Ohm's Law concept

According to Ohm's Law $I=\frac{V}{R}$ (where $I$ is current, $V$ is voltage and $R$ is resistance). When the resistance of the wire is constant, increasing the voltage (by adding more batteries) will increase the current. Current is the flow of electrons. So, more electrons will flow through the wire.

Step2: Identify independent and dependent variables

The independent variable is the one we can change directly, which is the voltage (measured in volts, V). The dependent variable changes as a result of the change in the independent variable. In this case, as the voltage increases, the current (flow of electrons) increases. So the dependent variable is the current (or the flow - rate of electrons in the wire).

Answer:

1. More electrons flow through the wire.

Results: When the independent variable (voltage) increases, the dependent variable (current or flow - rate of electrons) increases.
NAMING VARIABLES:

Variable	How We Measure It	Independent	Dependent
Current	Amperes (A)	No	Yes