Resistance doesn't depend on current

AI Thread Summary
In metals, resistivity is constant, leading to fixed resistance that does not depend on current. The relationship between electric field (E), current (i), and area (A) shows that resistance (R) can be expressed as R = E * L / i, which simplifies to the familiar R = V/I. Although voltage (V) and current (I) are related, changing current does not alter resistance; instead, it affects voltage. The analogy of a car's constant speed illustrates that while distance and time are related, speed remains constant and does not depend on time. Therefore, resistance in metals remains a constant factor, independent of current variations.
Karol
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Homework Statement


In metals the resistivity ρ is constant and the resistance R is fixed and doesn't depend on the current, but when i insert the equation of ρ into R i do get a dependence.

Homework Equations


Resistivity is field E divided by current to area: ##\rho=\frac{E}{i/A}##
Resistance: ##R=\frac{\rho L}{A}##

The Attempt at a Solution


$$R=\frac{\rho L}{A}=\frac{E\cdot L}{i}$$
 
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E*L=V, so you get the usual equation R=V/I. While there are R and I in the equation, this is not considered as "resistance depends on current" - you cannot change resistance by changing current, you will change the voltage instead. Voltage and current are proportional to each other, and the factor between them is the constant (just material-dependent) resistance.A similar example: Imagine a car driving at a constant speed v. With time t and distance d, we can set up the equation v=d/t. Does the speed depend on time now? No - speed is the constant factor between distance and time.
 
E and i are related by a constant: E = (ρ/A)i. So E/i is a constant.
So R = ρL/A is also a constant.
 
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