What does a negative temperature coefficient of resistance mean?

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SUMMARY

A negative temperature coefficient of resistance indicates that as temperature increases, the resistance of the material decreases. This phenomenon is primarily observed in semiconductors, where the number of charge carriers increases with temperature, enhancing conductivity. In contrast, metals exhibit a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, where resistance increases with temperature due to increased carrier scattering. Understanding these principles is crucial for applications involving temperature-sensitive electronic components.

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  • Basic understanding of electrical resistance and conductivity
  • Familiarity with semiconductor physics
  • Knowledge of temperature effects on materials
  • Concept of charge carriers in materials
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  • Research the properties of semiconductors and their applications in electronics
  • Study the relationship between temperature and resistivity in different materials
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  • Learn about materials with negative temperature coefficients and their uses in thermistors
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Students, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in the design and analysis of electronic components that operate under varying temperature conditions.

xllx
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If a material has a negative temperature coefficient or resistance, what does this mean?

Does it mean that as temperature increases, the resistance will increase instead of decrease.
Or something totally different?

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! Many Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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Other way round.
The conductivity increases with temperature, ie resistance decreases.

In general, electrical resistivity of metals increases with temperature (+ve), resistivity of semiconductors decreases with increasing temperature (-ve).
 
xllx said:
If a material has a negative temperature coefficient or resistance, what does this mean?

Does it mean that as temperature increases, the resistance will increase instead of decrease.
Or something totally different?

It means that the resistivity will decrease (or the conductivity will increase) with an increase in temperature. This is a common feature of semiconductors, because the number of charge carriers increases strongly with temperature. In metals, conversely, the number of charge carriers isn't strongly dependent with temperature. Instead, the dominating effect is increased carrier scattering with temperature. This results in a positive temperature coefficient of resistance: increased resistance due to a temperature increase.
 

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