Formula Used:
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Resistivity is the measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of current through them. It is a fundamental property that quantifies how strongly a given material opposes the flow of electric current.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the resistivity of a material based on power losses, cross-sectional area, length of the conductor, and the current flowing through it.
Details: Accurate resistivity calculation is crucial for selecting appropriate materials for electrical wiring, designing efficient power transmission systems, and minimizing energy losses in electrical circuits.
Tips: Enter line losses in watts, area in square meters, length in meters, and current in amperes. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What factors affect resistivity?
A: Resistivity depends on the material's composition, temperature, and in some cases, pressure and magnetic fields.
Q2: How does temperature affect resistivity?
A: For most conductors, resistivity increases with temperature, while for semiconductors and insulators, it typically decreases with temperature.
Q3: What are typical resistivity values for common materials?
A: Silver has the lowest resistivity (~1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m), followed by copper (~1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m), while materials like rubber can have resistivities as high as 10¹³-10¹⁶ Ω·m.
Q4: Why is resistivity important in electrical engineering?
A: Resistivity helps engineers select appropriate materials for specific applications, calculate power losses, and design efficient electrical systems.
Q5: How is resistivity different from resistance?
A: Resistivity is an intrinsic property of a material, while resistance depends on both the material's resistivity and its physical dimensions (length and cross-sectional area).