Temperature co efficient of resistance help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the temperature coefficient of resistance (tempco) for materials, exploring whether it is a constant value and how to determine it at specific temperatures. Participants address both theoretical and practical aspects of measuring and understanding tempco across different materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the temperature coefficient of resistance is not a constant for materials and is often quoted at specific temperatures, such as 20 degrees Celsius.
  • It is mentioned that thermistors exhibit particularly non-linear behavior, with resistance potentially halving with every 8-degree increase in temperature.
  • Others argue that while some materials may show a linear relationship between resistance and temperature, others may display a curved graph, indicating a varying coefficient.
  • Participants suggest measuring resistance as a function of temperature to derive the tempco from the slope of the graph.
  • One participant notes that charts and resources, such as the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and Wikipedia, can provide data on resistivity and temperature dependence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the temperature coefficient of resistance is not constant across all materials, but there are multiple competing views on how to measure and interpret this coefficient, particularly regarding linear versus non-linear behavior.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific temperature ranges and material types, as well as the potential for non-linear behavior in certain materials, which complicates the determination of a single temperature coefficient.

kocchumon
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is temperature co efficient of resistance a constant for a material?

if no how can i find the temperature co efficient of resistance at particular temperature?
 
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Measure the resistance as a function of the temperature, over the temperature range you want.

You can get the tempco from the slope of the graph.
 
kocchumon said:
is temperature co efficient of resistance a constant for a material?

if no how can i find the temperature co efficient of resistance at particular temperature?

No, it isn't constant. That is why the temperature coefficient is always quoted at 20 deg C or some specific temperature.
Thermistors are particularly non linear. Their resistance can drop to half with every 8 degrees increase in temperature.
Metals are much better than this.

I have seen charts of this non linearity for some specific metals. I think it might have been in the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. I don't have this book, but good libraries would probably have it.
Or, there is always Google.
 
vk6kro said:
No, it isn't constant. That is why the temperature coefficient is always quoted at 20 deg C or some specific temperature.
Thermistors are particularly non linear. Their resistance can drop to half with every 8 degrees increase in temperature.
Metals are much better than this.

I have seen charts of this non linearity for some specific metals. I think it might have been in the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. I don't have this book, but good libraries would probably have it.
Or, there is always Google.



if i don't have a graph with t vs r then how can i fing the temperature so efficient?
 
You look it up on a chart. Other people have already done the measurements.

Some substances will give a straight line graph, meaning the coefficient is fairly constant with temperature.
Others will give a curved graph of R vs Temperature which means the coefficient is not constant with temperature.

With most metals the coefficient is linear enough that you can predict the resistance at other temperatures using the coefficient at 20 deg C.

Wikipedia has some data on resistivity and some formulae that describe resistor behaviour.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistivity#Table_of_resistivities
look for the section on temperature dependence.
 

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