Resistance and How It Varies With Diameter

In summary, resistance is inversely proportional to diameter and can be calculated using the formula R = ρl/A. The resistivity of a material affects its resistance, with higher resistivity resulting in higher resistance. Temperature can also affect resistance, with most materials having a positive temperature coefficient. The diameter of a wire can greatly impact the resistance of an electrical circuit, with thicker wires having lower resistance and able to handle more current.
  • #1
Bashyboy
1,421
5
So, the relationship of resistance is [itex]R= \rho \frac{l}{A}[/itex]; assuming the resistor is cylindrical, the cross-sectional area of the resistor is [itex]A = \pi r^2[/itex]. The relationship between the radius and diameter is [itex]r = \frac{d}{2}[/itex]. Substituting in this relationship, [itex]A = \pi (\frac{d}{2})^2[/itex]

So, if I were to double the diameter, the cross sectional area would become [itex]A = \pi \frac{(2d)^2}{4} \rightarrow A = \pi d^2[/itex] Does this mean that the cross sectional area quadruples? further implying that the resistance decreases by 1/4?
 
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  • #2
Yes. That's correct.
 

1. How does resistance vary with diameter?

The resistance of a material is inversely proportional to its diameter. This means that as the diameter of a material increases, its resistance decreases. This is because a larger diameter provides more space for electrons to flow, resulting in less resistance.

2. What is the formula for calculating resistance?

The formula for calculating resistance is R = ρl/A, where R is resistance, ρ is the resistivity of the material, l is the length of the material, and A is the cross-sectional area (diameter) of the material.

3. How does the resistivity of a material affect resistance?

Resistivity is a measure of a material's ability to resist the flow of electrons. Materials with higher resistivity will have higher resistance, while materials with lower resistivity will have lower resistance. This is because materials with higher resistivity impede the flow of electrons more, resulting in higher resistance.

4. Does the temperature of a material affect its resistance?

Yes, the temperature of a material can affect its resistance. Most materials have a positive temperature coefficient, meaning that as temperature increases, resistance also increases. This is because higher temperatures cause atoms to vibrate more, impeding the flow of electrons and increasing resistance.

5. How can the diameter of a wire affect the resistance of an electrical circuit?

The diameter of a wire can have a significant impact on the resistance of an electrical circuit. A larger diameter wire will have lower resistance and can carry more current without overheating. On the other hand, a smaller diameter wire will have higher resistance and may not be able to handle as much current. This is why thicker wires are often used for high-current applications.

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