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Can large resistors give false readings?
1) True
2) False

1 Answer

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Final answer:

True, Large resistors can indeed sometimes lead to false readings due to inherent resistance in wires and connections, temperature variations, and the limitations of certain measurement devices. Precision digital devices can help mitigate these errors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The accuracy of measurements in electrical circuits can be affected by various factors, including the characteristics of the resistors themselves. One potential source of false readings is the resistance of wires and connections within a measurement setup, such as in a null measurement, which, although minimal, cannot be eliminated. Furthermore, temperature variations can alter the resistance in a circuit, potentially giving incorrect readings. These variances can be mitigated to some degree by the selection of materials with stable resistive properties across temperature changes. High-precision digital devices sensitive to smaller currents can substantially improve the accuracy of measurements by minimizing these errors, as they allow for the current to be measured very close to zero. In the context of voltmeters, precision instruments must have a very high resistance to ensure minimal impact on the circuit they are measuring. Some digital voltmeters have resistances in the range of 10 MΩ (megohms), while more advanced ones can go as high as 10 GΩ (gigaohms).

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