Resistance

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Resistance


Key Definitions

Resistivity - a measure of resistance to flow of current within a material

  • Good conductors have lower resistivity
  • Good insulators have higher resistivity

Electrical Resistance - a measure of resistance to flow of current through a circuit


Ohm’s Law

, $\vec J$, depends on the applied

For linear materials the current density is proportional to the electric field given by Ohm’s Law:

\(\vec E=\rho\vec J\)

Where $\rho$ is the resistivity of the material given by:

\(\rho = \frac{E}{J}\)

Resistance (Alternate Form)

In the context of total current passing through a circuit, resistivity depends on shape/size and type of material, collectively defined as electrical resistance:

\(R=\frac{\rho L}{A}\)

Given :

\(V=IR\)

Temperature Dependance

Resistivity varies with many factors, but nearly all metallic conductors’ resistivity correlates with temperature:

\(\rho(T)=\rho_0[1+\alpha(T-T_0)]\)

Where $\rho_0$ is a reference resistivity at temperature $T_0$ known as the temperature coefficient of resistivity

Resistance (Alternate Form)

Similarly, temperature dependance is given by:

\(R(T)=R_0[1+\alpha(T-T_0)]\)