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Conductivity Formula:
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The conductivity formula defines the relationship between electrical conductivity (σ) and resistivity (ρ). Conductivity is the reciprocal of resistivity and measures a material's ability to conduct electric current.
The calculator uses the fundamental conductivity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula shows the inverse relationship between conductivity and resistivity. Materials with high resistivity have low conductivity, and vice versa.
Details: Electrical conductivity is crucial for material selection in electrical engineering, electronics design, and understanding material properties for various applications including wiring, semiconductors, and insulation materials.
Tips: Enter resistivity value in Ω·m (Ohm-meter). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding conductivity in S/m (Siemens per meter).
Q1: What is the difference between conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity measures how well a material conducts electricity, while resistivity measures how strongly a material opposes electric current flow. They are reciprocal quantities.
Q2: What are typical conductivity values for common materials?
A: Silver: ~6.3×10⁷ S/m, Copper: ~5.96×10⁷ S/m, Aluminum: ~3.5×10⁷ S/m, Iron: ~1.0×10⁷ S/m, Sea water: ~5 S/m, Pure water: ~5.5×10⁻⁶ S/m.
Q3: How does temperature affect conductivity?
A: For metals, conductivity decreases with increasing temperature. For semiconductors, conductivity increases with temperature. For electrolytes, conductivity generally increases with temperature.
Q4: What are the units of conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity: Siemens per meter (S/m). Resistivity: Ohm-meter (Ω·m).
Q5: Why is conductivity important in material science?
A: Conductivity determines a material's suitability for electrical applications, helps classify materials as conductors, semiconductors, or insulators, and is essential for designing electronic components and circuits.