Since most conductors are circular, as shown in Figure 32, we may deter-

mine the cross-sectional area fromeither the radius or the diameter as follows:
A pr
2
p

d
2

p
4
d
2
(32)
Section 3.1 Resistance of Conductors 61
A = r
2
=
d
2
4
l
FIGURE 32 Conductor with a cir-
cular cross-section.
EXAMPLE 31 Most homes use solid copper wire having a diameter of
1.63 mm to provide electrical distribution to outlets and light sockets. Deter-
mine the resistance of 75 meters of a solid copper wire having the above
diameter.
Solution We will first calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire using
equation 32.
A
p
4
d
2

p(1.63
4
10
3
m)
2

2.09 10
6
m
2
Now, using Table 31, the resistance of the length of wire is found as
R
r
A

0.619
(1.723 10
8
-m)(75 m)

2.09 10
6
m
2
PRACTICE
PROBLEMS 1
Find the resistance of a 100-m long tungsten wire which has a circular cross-sec-
tion with a diameter of 0.1 mm (T 20C).
Answer: 698
EXAMPLE 32 Bus bars are bare solid conductors (usually rectangular)
used to carry large currents within buildings such as power generating sta-
tions, telephone exchanges, and large factories. Given a piece of aluminum
bus bar as shown in Figure 33, determine the resistance between the ends of
this bar at a temperature of 20C.
1
5
0
m
m
6
m
m
A
lu
m
in
u
m
l =
2
7
0
m
FIGURE 33 Conductor with a
rectangular cross section.