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Electrical Resistivity Formula:
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Electrical resistivity (ρ) is a fundamental property that quantifies how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. It is the reciprocal of electrical conductivity (κ) and is measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m).
The calculator uses the fundamental relationship between resistivity and conductivity:
Where:
Explanation: This inverse relationship means that materials with high conductivity have low resistivity, and vice versa. The calculator performs this simple but important conversion.
Details: Electrical resistivity is crucial in material science, electrical engineering, and electronics for selecting appropriate materials for wiring, insulation, semiconductors, and various electronic components.
Tips: Enter electrical conductivity in siemens per meter (S/m). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding resistivity in ohm-meters (Ω·m).
Q1: What is the difference between resistivity and resistance?
A: Resistivity (ρ) is an intrinsic material property, while resistance (R) depends on both the material's resistivity and its physical dimensions (length and cross-sectional area).
Q2: What are typical resistivity values for common materials?
A: Conductors like copper: ~1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m; semiconductors like silicon: ~2.3×10³ Ω·m; insulators like glass: ~10¹⁰-10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Q3: Why is resistivity temperature dependent?
A: For most materials, resistivity increases with temperature due to increased atomic vibrations that scatter electrons, though semiconductors show opposite behavior.
Q4: How is conductivity measured experimentally?
A: Typically using four-point probe methods or impedance spectroscopy to avoid contact resistance errors and provide accurate measurements.
Q5: What are the applications of resistivity measurements?
A: Material characterization, quality control in manufacturing, geological surveying, corrosion monitoring, and semiconductor device fabrication.