Proof: Resistance of a wire stretched n times its length becomes n2 times the original resistance
Given:
- Original length of wire = L
- Original radius of wire = r
- Wire is stretched to length = n × L
- Volume of wire remains constant during stretching
Step 1: Understand resistance formula
Resistance, R = ρ × (Length) / (Cross-sectional area) = ρ × L / A
Step 2: Effect of stretching on length and area
Since volume remains constant,
Original volume = New volume
π r2 × L = π r’2 × (nL)
→ r’2 = (r2 × L) / (nL) = r2 / n
→ New radius, r’ = r / √n
Step 3: Calculate new resistance
New resistance, R’ = ρ × (nL) / (π r’2)
Substitute r’2 = r2 / n,
R’ = ρ × nL / (π (r2 / n)) = ρ × nL × n / (π r2) = n2 × (ρ L / π r2)
R’ = n2 × R
Conclusion: When the length of a wire is stretched n times, its resistance becomes n2 times the original resistance.