1. What is Resistivity and Conductivity?

Resistivity (ρ) is a fundamental property that quantifies how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. Conductivity (σ) is the reciprocal of resistivity and measures how easily a material conducts electric current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental relationship:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Electrical conductivity (Siemens per meter, S/m)
• \( \rho \) — Electrical resistivity (Ohm-meter, Ω·m)

Explanation: This inverse relationship means that materials with high resistivity have low conductivity, and vice versa. Good conductors like copper have very low resistivity and high conductivity.

3. Importance of Resistivity and Conductivity

Details: These properties are crucial for material selection in electrical engineering, electronics design, power transmission systems, and understanding material behavior in various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistivity value in Ω·m. The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding conductivity in S/m.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical resistivity values for common materials?
A: Copper: ~1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: ~2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silicon: ~2.3×10³ Ω·m, Glass: ~10¹⁰-10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Q2: How does temperature affect resistivity?
A: For most metals, resistivity increases with temperature. For semiconductors, resistivity decreases with temperature.

Q3: What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?
A: Resistance depends on material and geometry, while resistivity is an intrinsic property independent of size and shape.

Q4: Why are some materials superconductors?
A: Superconductors have zero resistivity below their critical temperature, allowing current to flow without energy loss.

Q5: How is conductivity measured in practice?
A: Typically measured using four-point probe method or conductivity meters for accurate results.