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Resistivity Formula:
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Resistivity (ρ) is a fundamental property of materials that quantifies how strongly they oppose the flow of electric current. It is an intrinsic property that depends on the material's composition and temperature, independent of its shape or size.
The calculator uses the resistivity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula defines resistivity as the material's inherent resistance property, calculated from resistance, cross-sectional area, and length of the conductor.
Details: Resistivity is crucial for material selection in electrical engineering, determining appropriate materials for wires, resistors, and other electronic components based on their conductive properties.
Tips: Enter resistance in ohms (Ω), cross-sectional area in square meters (m²), and length in meters (m). All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?
A: Resistance depends on the material's dimensions and shape, while resistivity is an intrinsic property of the material itself, independent of its size or shape.
Q2: What are typical resistivity values for common materials?
A: Copper: 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: 2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silver: 1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Glass: 10¹⁰ to 10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Q3: How does temperature affect resistivity?
A: For most metals, resistivity increases with temperature. For semiconductors, resistivity decreases with temperature increase.
Q4: What are the units of resistivity?
A: The SI unit is ohm-meter (Ω·m), but ohm-centimeter (Ω·cm) is also commonly used in some applications.
Q5: Why is resistivity important in material science?
A: Resistivity helps classify materials as conductors, semiconductors, or insulators, and is essential for designing electrical circuits and electronic devices.