L

R=ρ
A

Resistivity Example No1

Calculate the total DC resistance of a 100 metre roll of 2.5mm2 copper wire if the resistivity of copper at 20oC is
1.72 x 10-8 Ω metre.

Given:

L = 100m

A = 2.5mm2 (convert into meters)

2
1m
¿ 2.5 mm 2
1000 mm ( )
A=2.5 ( 10−6 ) m2
ρ(200C) = 1.72(10-8) Ω-m

Required:

R = _____ Ω

Solution:

L
R=ρ
A
100 m
R=[ 1.72 ( 10−8 ) Ωm ]
2.5 ( 10−6 ) m2
R=0.688 Ω
R=688mΩ
Resistivity Example No2

A 20 metre length of cable has a cross-sectional area of 1mm2 and a resistance of 5 ohms. Calculate the resistivity of
the cable.

Given:

L = 20m

A = 1mm2 = 1(10-6)m2

R = 5 ohms

Required:

ρ = ____Ωm

Solution:

L
R=ρ
A
RA
=ρ
L

5Ω [ 1(1 0−6)m 2 ]
=ρ
20 m

ρ=2.5(1 0−7 )Ωm

Resistivity Example No3

A 100 ft length of cable has a square cross-section area having 1mm side and If the resistivity is 1.77x10-6 Ohm-cm.
Calculate the resistance of the cable.

Given:

L = 100 ft = 3048cmm

A = (1mm)2 = 1mm2 = 0.01cm2m

ρ = 1.77x10-6 Ohm-cmm

Required:

R = ______ Ω

Solution:

L
R=ρ
A
3048 cm
R=[ 1.77(10−6 )Ωcm ]
0.01 c m 2
R=0.5394 Ω
1. A platinum resistance thermometer has a resistance R0 = 50.0 Ω at T0=20 ºC. α for Pt is 3.92×10-3 (/ºC). The
thermometer is immersed in a vessel containing melting tin, at which point R increases to 91.6Ω. What is the
melting point of tin?

Given :

R0 = 50.0 Ω ; T0 = 200C

α = 3.92×10-3 /ºC

Rt = 91.6 Ω

Required:

Tt = _________ 0 C

Solution:

Rt =R0 [ 1+ α (T t −T 0) ]

91.6 Ω=50.0 Ω [ 1+(3.92× 10−3 /ºC)(T t −20 0 C ) ]

91.6 Ω
=1+(3.92 ×10−3 /ºC)(T t −2 00 C)
50.0 Ω
91.6
−1
50.0
−3
=(T t −2 00 C)
3.92× 10 /ºC
91.6
−1ºC
50.0
−3
+2 00 C=T t
3.92 ×10
Tt = 232 0 C  232.2448 0 C

2. A platinum resistance thermometer uses the change in R to measure temperature. Suppose R0 = 50 Ω at T0=20
ºC. α for Pt is 3.92×10-3 /ºC in this temperature range. What is R when T = 50.0 ºC
Given:

R0 = 50 Ω ; T0=20 ºC

α = 3.92×10-3 /ºC

Tt = 50.0 ºC

Required:

Rt = ______ Ω

Solution:

Rt =R0 [ 1+ α (T t −T 0) ]

Rt =50 [ 1+(3.92 ×1 0−3 )(50−20) ]

Rt =50 [ 1+(3.92 ×1 0−3 )(30) ]

Rt =5 5.88 Ω