What is the difference between resistance and resistivity ?

In summary, resistance and resistivity are two related but distinct concepts in physics. Resistance refers to the measure of how much a material opposes the flow of electric current, while resistivity is a material's intrinsic property that determines its resistance. Resistivity takes into account the material's dimensions and its electrical conductivity, and is often used to compare the resistance of different materials. In essence, resistance is an external property that can be measured, while resistivity is an intrinsic property that is specific to a material.
  • #1
sankalpmittal
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15
What is the difference between resistance and resistivity ??

I have studied that the electric resistance is directly proportional to length of material and inversely proportional to area of cross section . In this resistivity becomes constant and determines conductivity by sign "rho" . What is it exactly ??
 
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  • #2


It is the property of the material that will define the resistance once the shape is known.

If you make the same shape out of another material (with different rho) the resistance will be different.
 
  • #4


Antiphon said:
It is the property of the material that will define the resistance once the shape is known.

If you make the same shape out of another material (with different rho) the resistance will be different.

That is more like it .

Please do add me and can you teach me about it more if you are free ??
 
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  • #5
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1. What is the definition of resistance?

Resistance is the measure of how much a material or component opposes the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms (Ω).

2. What is the definition of resistivity?

Resistivity is the measure of how much a material resists the flow of electric current. It is an inherent property of a material and is measured in ohm-meters (Ω*m).

3. How are resistance and resistivity related?

Resistance and resistivity are related by the formula R = ρ * L/A, where R is the resistance, ρ is the resistivity, L is the length of the material, and A is the cross-sectional area. In other words, the resistance of a material is directly proportional to its resistivity and the length of the material, and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area.

4. What are the units of resistance and resistivity?

The units of resistance are ohms (Ω), while the units of resistivity are ohm-meters (Ω*m).

5. How are resistance and resistivity different?

Resistance is a measure of how well a material or component conducts electricity, while resistivity is a measure of how well a material resists the flow of electricity. In simpler terms, resistance is the opposition to current flow, while resistivity is the measure of a material's ability to resist current flow. Resistivity is an inherent property of a material, while resistance depends on the dimensions and shape of the material.

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