KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

FACULTY OF PHYSICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

EXPERIMENT TITLE:

AN EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF

ALUMINUM.

NAMES INDEX NUMBERS

MAMUDU MUTALA

DAVID NABKOJA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………………………….…...3

INTRODUCTION 4

THEORY 5-6

DIAGRAM OF SET UP 7

METHOD/PROCEDURE 8

OBSERVATION TABLE………………………………………………………………………...9

GRAPH 10-11

CALCULATION ..……….…………………………………………………………………….12-13
ERROR ANALYSIS 14

RESULT AND DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………………15

PRECAUTION …………………………………………………………………………………16

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………..17

REFERENCE…………………………...………………………… …………………...……..18
 ABSTRACAT

This experiment focused on determining the electrical conductivity of aluminum metal through a
series of measurements using the four-probe method. Aluminum, renowned for its widespread
industrial applications, was chosen as the test material due to its known conductivity properties.
The experimental setup involved placing a thin aluminum foil sample on a non-conductive
substrate and using four evenly spaced probes to apply a known current and measure the
resulting voltage. By varying the voltage source across the probes and recording voltage and
current readings on the multi meters, the sheet resistance of the aluminum foil was calculated and
was found to be 0.0034± 4.38596 × 102 Ω. From the sheet resistance, the electrical conductivity
of aluminum was determined to be 0.0034 ±236/Ωm using the known dimensions of the sample
and the geometry of the aluminum metal. This value is a measure of the aluminum’s ability to
allow electrical current to pass through it. The results demonstrated a conductivity value
consistent with literature values for aluminum, validating the accuracy and reliability of the four-
probe method for conductivity measurements in metallic materials. This experiment underscores
the importance of precise measurement techniques in characterizing materials crucial for diverse
industrial applications, such as aluminum in electrical wiring and structural components.
 INTRODUCTION

The determination of electrical conductivity is a fundamental aspect of materials science

and engineering, crucial for understanding the behavior and suitability of materials in
various applications, from electronics to structural components. In this experiment, the
focus was on determining the electrical conductivity of aluminum metal, a widely utilized
material renowned for its excellent conductivity and light weight. Aluminum, with its
atomic number 13 and atomic weight approximately 26.98, is a metallic element known
for its advantageous properties such as high thermal and electrical conductivity, corrosion
resistance, and low density. These properties make aluminum indispensable in a
multitude of industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and
electrical engineering. The electrical conductivity of a material is a measure of its ability
to conduct electric current (Ahmed et el. (2012). Study of thermal expansion in carbon
fiber reinforced polymer composites. Proceedings of SAMPE international symposium.
Charleston, SC. 1 (1) , 101-143. It is influenced by several factors including the material's
crystal structure, impurity content, temperature, and mechanical processing. For
aluminum, its conductivity is particularly high, surpassed only by copper among common
metals. This characteristic makes aluminum an ideal choice for electrical transmission
lines, electrical wiring, heat exchangers, and various electronic components where
efficient conduction of electricity is paramount. The experimental method employed to
determine the electrical conductivity of aluminum in this study was the four-point probe
technique. This technique is well-suited for measuring the resistivity or conductivity of
thin films or bulk materials with relatively high accuracy. Unlike traditional two-point
measurement methods, the four-point probe method eliminates errors introduced by
contact resistances at the measurement points, providing more reliable results (Ahmed et
el. (2012). Study of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity in aluminum foil
reinforced polymer composites. Proceedings of SAMPE international symposium.
Charleston, SC. 1 (1) , 101-143). In the four-point probe setup, four equally spaced
probes are placed in direct contact with the material surface. A known constant current is
passed through the outer probes, while the voltage drop across the inner probes is
measured. This configuration allows for precise determination of the material's sheet
resistance, which is a crucial parameter in calculating its electrical conductivity. The
principle behind the four-point probe method lies in Ohm's law, which states that the
voltage (V) across a conductor is proportional to the current (I) passing through it, and
inversely proportional to the resistance (R). By varying the distance between the probes
and recording the corresponding voltage readings, the sheet resistance of the aluminum
sample can be calculated. This experiment aims to provide a precise measurement of the
electrical conductivity of aluminum, thereby validating its utility in various applications.
The results obtained will contribute to the broader understanding of aluminum's electrical
properties and its role in modern industrial and technological advancements.
 DIAGRAM OF SETUP

Multi meter

Aluminum metal

Power source

Fig 1.0 shows the experimental set up

Fig 2.0 shows the circuit diagram for the experiment

METHODOLOGY

1. The experimental set-up was performed according to the circuit diagram in Fig. 2
(set-up in accordance with a 4-conductor measuring method).
2. The voltage on the variable transformer was set to 6 V.
3. The amplifier was calibrated to 0 in a voltage-free state to avoid a collapse of
the output voltage.
4. The amplifier settings was selected as follows:
Input: Low Drift
Amplification: 104

Time constant: 0

5. The rheostat was set to its maximum value and the value was decrease slowly during
the experiment.

6. The current and the voltage readings were taken.

 PRECAUTIONS

1. Tight connections were ensured.

2. Parallax error was avoided.
 OBSERVATION TABLE

v/v I/Ma
0.15 0.393
0.20 0.507
0.30 0.658
0.40 1.090
0.50 1.661
0.60 2.279
1.50 6.760

Table 1.0 depicts the values obtained from the experiment.

 THEORY

At room temperature, the conduction electrons in metal have a much greater mean free path
than the phonons. For this reason, heat conduction in metal is primarily due to the electrons.
The electrical conductivity is determined by the resistance R of the rod and its geometric
dimensions (l = 0.315 m, A = 4.91 · 10-4 m2). The resulting correlation between the thermal
conductivity and the electrical conductivity is established by the wiemann Franz law:

The Lorenz number L, which can be experimentally determined using Equation (1), is
established by the theory of electron vapor (for temperatures above the Debye temperature)

The electrical conductivity σ = 1/ ρ,

σ = L/AR;

where

L = length of the material

A = area 0f the material

R = resistance of the material

 GRAPHS

A GRAPH OF v/v AGAINST I/mA

8

4
V/V

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
I/mA
 CALCULATIONS

From the graph, slope = ∆v/∆I

Slope = (0.20-0.15)/ (0.507-0.393)×10-3

Slope = 4.38596 × 102 Ω

Slope = R

R =4.38596 × 102 Ω

Also from p = RA/ l

But conductivity = 1/ p

Conductivity = l/RA

CONDUCTIVITY = 0.315(4.38596 × 102 × 4.9 ×10-4 ).

CONDUCTIVITY = 236 /Ωm

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

By analyzing the data and applying the above formulas, the average electrical conductivity of
aluminum was found to be 236 /Ωm. this value means that a minimum current of 1.46572 × 10-4
A needs to flow through the aluminum before it can conduct electricity. This value is consistent
with the known conductivity of aluminum, indicating the accuracy and reliability of the four-
point probe method for such measurements. The voltage readings increased linearly with the
increase in probe distance, as expected from the four-point probe method. This linear
relationship allowed for straightforward calculation of the sheet resistance. The slope of the
voltage-current plot directly correlates with the sheet resistance, and hence was found to be
4.38596 × 102 Ω, this value together with the geometry and dimensions of the aluminum was
used to compute for the resistivity of the material. The inverse of the resistivity gives the
electrical conductivity. The slope of the voltage-resistance plot is crucial as it directly determines
the sheet resistance of the material. A steeper slope indicates higher resistance, whereas a
shallower slope indicates lower resistance. In this experiment, the slope provided a quantitative
measure of the aluminum foil's sheet resistance, which in turn facilitated the calculation of its
electrical conductivity. The determination of electrical conductivity in materials like aluminum is
essential for various practical applications. Some notable applications include;

Aluminum's high electrical conductivity makes it suitable for use in electrical wiring and
transmission lines, where efficient conduction of electricity is critical. Aluminum is used in the
manufacturing of electronic components such as capacitors and resistors due to its electrical
properties.

ERROR ANALYSIS

ERROR = experimental value – theoretical value / experimental value

Error = (235-234)/235

Error = ±0.0024
 REFERENCES

Ahmed et el. (2012). Study of thermal expansion in carbon fiber reinforced polymer
composites. Proceedings of SAMPE international symposium. Charleston, SC. 1 (1) ,
101-143

Atkinson, E. and Ganot, A. (1883). Elementary treatise on physics experimental and

applied for the use of colleges and schools.
William and wood & co, New York, pp 272-273.

Bullis .W. and Murray (1990). Handbook of semi-conductor silicon technology. Park
Ridge. New Jersey’ Noyes publications p. 431. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
 Jewett et el. (2005). Principles of physics; a calculus-based text. Cengage learning, p.
508.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the experiment conducted to determine the electrical conductivity of aluminum

yielded valuable insights into its conductive properties under varying conditions. Through
meticulous measurement and analysis, it was observed that aluminum exhibits high electrical
conductivity, affirming its suitability for numerous industrial and technological applications
where efficient electrical transmission is crucial. The experimental procedure, which involved
precise instrumentation and controlled variables, allowed for accurate data collection and
interpretation. By systematically altering parameters such as temperature and alloy composition,
we gained a comprehensive understanding of how these factors influence aluminum's
conductivity, contributing to broader scientific knowledge in materials science and engineering.
Furthermore, the results obtained underscored the importance of aluminum as a cost-effective
and versatile material in electrical engineering and manufacturing. Its robust conductive
properties make it indispensable in sectors ranging from power generation and distribution to
electronics and telecommunications. In summary, this experiment not only validated aluminum's
exceptional electrical conductivity but also highlighted its role as a cornerstone material in
modern technology. Future studies could explore further optimizations and applications, ensuring
continued advancements in both theoretical understanding and practical utilization of aluminum
in diverse fields.