Resistance doesn't depend on current

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of resistance in metals, specifically addressing the assertion that resistance does not depend on current. Participants explore the relationship between resistivity, resistance, voltage, and current.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the equations relating resistivity and resistance, questioning how resistance can appear to depend on current when substituting values. They discuss the implications of Ohm's law and the constancy of resistance in the context of changing voltage and current.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the relationships between the variables involved. Some have offered analogies to clarify the concept, while others are reinforcing the idea that resistance remains constant despite variations in current and voltage.

Contextual Notes

There is an underlying assumption that the resistivity of the material is constant, which is typical for metals under normal conditions. The discussion does not address potential exceptions or varying conditions that could affect resistivity.

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.
 
Thanks
 

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