# The resistance of a wire (conductor) in cylindrical form is:

Tags:
1. Jan 21, 2016

### prishila

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The resistance of a wire (conductor) in cylindrical form is:
A Disproportional with the length of the wire (conductor)
B Disproportional with the square of the wire (conductor) section
C Proportional with the square of the length of the wire (conductor)
D Proportional with the length of the wire (conductor)

2. Relevant equations
R=constant*length/Surface of the section

3. The attempt at a solution
I think the answer is D because from the equation of the resistance, but in my book the answer is B

2. Jan 21, 2016

### Staff: Mentor

Assuming that "Disproportional" is a translation of "Inversely proportional", and "section" means the cross section diameter, then both B and D seem to be correct.

3. Jan 21, 2016

### prishila

Can you explain me why is B correct?

4. Jan 21, 2016

### Staff: Mentor

The cross sectional area of a cylinder is proportional to the square of the diameter: $A = \pi \left( \frac{D}{2} \right)^2$.

So the resistance should be inversely proportional to ("disproportional" to ) the square of D.

5. Jan 21, 2016

### prishila

But it says inversely proportional to the square of section, to the A, not to the diametre.

6. Jan 21, 2016

### Staff: Mentor

I think it's a matter of a translation issue. I interpreted "section" to be "diameter" rather than "cross sectional area". I could be wrong in this interpretation.

If "section" means "area" then B is not correct, and only D would make sense.