On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend?

Resistance is defined as the opposition to the flow of electrical current through a conductor. The resistance of an electric circuit can be measured numerically. Conductivity and resistivity are inversely proportional. The more conductive, the less resistance it will have.

Resistance = Potential difference/ Current

Factors on which conductor depends

The resistance of the conductor depends on the following factors:

• The temperature of the conductor
• The cross-sectional area of the conductor
• Length of the conductor
• Nature of the material of the conductor

Electrical resistance is directly proportional to the length (L) of the conductor and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area (A). It is given by the following relation.

R=ρl/A

where ρ is the resistivity of the material (measured in Ωm, ohm meter)

Resistivity is a qualitative measurement of a material’s ability to resist flowing electric current. Obviously, insulators will have a higher value of resistivity than of conductors.