Does net charge affect resistance?

[greypilgrim]

Hi.

Is the resistance of a charged cable different compared to a cable with zero net charge? If it is charged negatively, one could argue that now there are more carriers for the current, so the resistance should be smaller (similarly to water that becomes more conductive if ions are added). On the other hand, more particles might increase scattering which should increase resistance.

Or can we just argue that by linearity, this superposition of charges doesn't affect the current at all?

 

[Svein]

How do you propose to create a "charged cable"?

 

[greypilgrim]

For example by connecting it to a Van de Graaff generator?

Ok the capacity of a cable is quite small, so let's use the generator directly: If the resistance of the sphere is measured between two opposite points on the surface, will it change if the generator is turned on? Of course under the assumption that the static electricity doesn't affect the measurement device directly.

 

[Svein]

For example by connecting it to a Van de Graaff generator?

So you basically want a cable with a high voltage bias? In that case @anorlunda is the one to ask. Also look for a recent thread mentioning HVDC transmission.