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Specific Resistance (ρ) is defined as the resistance offered per unit length and cross-sectional area when a known amount of voltage is applied. It is a fundamental property of materials that quantifies how strongly they oppose electric current flow.
The calculator uses the specific resistance formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the specific resistance by multiplying the measured resistance by the ratio of pellet area to pellet thickness.
Details: Calculating specific resistance is crucial for material characterization, quality control in manufacturing, and designing electronic components. It helps determine the electrical properties of materials and their suitability for various applications.
Tips: Enter resistance in ohms, pellet area in square meters, and pellet thickness in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between resistance and specific resistance?
A: Resistance is a property of a specific object, while specific resistance (resistivity) is an intrinsic property of the material itself, independent of the object's size or shape.
Q2: What are typical units for specific resistance?
A: The SI unit for specific resistance is ohm-meter (Ω·m). Other common units include ohm-centimeter (Ω·cm) and ohm-inch (Ω·in).
Q3: Why is pellet geometry important in resistance measurements?
A: The resistance of a material depends on its dimensions. Specific resistance normalizes this by accounting for the cross-sectional area and length (thickness) of the sample.
Q4: What factors can affect specific resistance measurements?
A: Temperature, material purity, crystal structure, and measurement technique can all affect specific resistance values.
Q5: How does specific resistance relate to conductivity?
A: Specific resistance and conductivity are reciprocals of each other. Conductivity = 1 / Specific Resistance.