Physics AIP - Resistivity

INTRODUCTION

Electrical resistivity is known to be the reciprocal of electrical conductivity.

Resistivity of various materials is mentioned through the function of temperature

as it rises with temperature due to the electron-phonon connection.

Resistivity of the material is restricted even at the ultimate zero due to the

existence of small amounts of defects and impurities. Hence, it is said that

conductivity and resistivity are limited and confined at ultimate zero. Resistivity's

temperature coefficient is mentioned as the transformation in resistivity per unit

material's resistivity per degree transformation in temperature. The electrical

resistivity of various materials is the calculation of the capability of the materials to

repel current flow.

Among the other types, metals possess high conductivity and low resistivity. In

comparison to the metallic conductors, insulators possess high resistivity.

What is Resistivity?
Resistivity is defined as the resistance of the area of cross-section and per unit
length. Resistivity is illustrated as the material property that repelled the flow of
electric current and charge. The SI unit of resistivity is termed as ohm metre

(Ωm)

(Ω�)

Resistivity is tremendously helpful in contrasting distinct materials based on the

ability to conduct the electric currents (Hazrol, Sapuan & Ilyas, 2018). The high

resistivity of the materials entails poor conductors.

 Resistivity-temperature graph

​ Resistivity is not directly proportional to the temperature. Resistivity is

also described as the particular resistance of the material because the

resistance minimises the thick wire. In the context of wire, resistance

increases when it is thin as a result cross-sectional area is also less

(Mathew & Vishnudas, 2021).

​ Resistance possesses effective application in protecting the circuit from

high current flow. The electrons initiate shifting from the negative to

the positive electrode when acceleration is applied throughout the

conductor (Stetson et al. 2019).

​ Resistance often performs as a speed breaker to the flow of high

current when there is a rise in current flow.

Derivation of resistivity
The resistivity of various materials focuses on certain factors which include length,

and cross-sectional area.

Length: Considering two conductors each of area of cross-section "A" and length

"L". Let C be the similar potential difference applicable across two slabs' ends. The

flow of current (I) across the slab is I/2. Now, resistance via every slab is

R=C/I(oh

slaw)

�=�/�(�ℎ�′����)

Rs=C/I/2=2R

��=�/�/2=2�

So, R maximises with the rise of length.

R∝L....(1)

�∝�....(1)

Cross-sectional area: Every length slab “L” possesses the area of cross-section
“A/2”. Resistance through every slab based on halving conductor area is

=V/I/2=2R

�′=�/�/2=2�. In this scenario, R maximises with minimisation in the area of

every half slab.

R∝1/A....(2)

�∝1/�....(2)
Now, joining (1) and (2), it is obtained that

R∝L/A

�∝�/�

Let obsolete the proportionality sign, it is obtained that

R=p∗L/A

�=�∗�/�

Here, p is demonstrated as particular resistance or electrical resistivity.

Relation between resistivity and conductivity

Electrical conductivity is demonstrated as the intrinsic features of the materials

which are illustrated as the calculation of the electric current amount that can be

carried by a material. The SI unit of electrical conductivity is demonstrated as

Siemens per metre (S/m). Conductivity is the opposite of resistivity which is the

calculation of how easy it is for feasible flowing of current through it.

Electrical conductivity and resistivity

The resistivity of the material relies upon the temperature and material and is not

dependent on cross-sectional area and length. Resistivity is epitomised as "p" and

conductivity as "σ" (Sim et al. 2020).

Consider an instance of watering a lot of the plants during summer. If a plant is not

supplied with enough water and sprinkled with a few drops, the plants may get

dried and die after some time (Riwayat, Nazri & Abidin, 2018). So, with more

resistance to enough water to the plants, less is the growth which means less

conductivity.
Factors affecting the resistivity of various materials
The resistivity amount depends on the asset's temperature, opposing the tables of

materials and usually setting the values at 20°C. Resistivity does not depend on

the shape and size. Resistance to the steel conductors basically maximises with

rising temperature (Saito et al. 2019). However, resistance to semiconductors like

silicon and carbon generally minimises with the rising temperature.

From the figure, it is determined that resistivity decreases with increased

conductivity. On the contrary, the resistivity of the conductor rises with increasing

temperature. The resistivity of semiconductors exists between that insulators and

conductors as the good conductor possesses less resistivity whereas the bad

conductor possesses high resistivity. According to the ohm's law, the resistivity of

some material is assumed to be constant.Comparison of resistivity of conductor and

semiconductor

CONCLUSION:

Resistivity of materials is extremely crucial as it helps in enabling the proper

materials to be utilised in the correct places in electronic and electrical elements.

Materials utilised as conductors such as in general and electrical connecting wire

that is required to be able to possess sensitivity level. Resistivity is expressed as

ohm centimetres if the distances are calculated in centimetres. It is determined that

the resistivity of various electrical materials is affected by alloying, mechanical

stressing, age hardening and cool working.