What is the resistivity of paper?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the resistivity of standard writing paper for a physics project. Participants are exploring the concept of resistivity, particularly in relation to paper as a material, and how it compares to known values for other substances like copper.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for an approximate value of paper's resistivity and question what specific figure is being sought. There are suggestions about conducting experiments to measure resistivity and considerations about the setup, including the use of electrodes and the thickness of the paper.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations of the original poster's request. Some participants have offered insights into experimental approaches, while others express confusion about the terminology used. There is no clear consensus on the exact value of resistivity, but there is a shared understanding that it is expected to be relatively high.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that different types of paper may have varying resistivities, and there is mention of the challenges in measuring current through paper with standard lab equipment. The discussion reflects a need for clarity on definitions and expectations regarding the resistivity value.

TicTac2
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Hi all,

New here - have a Physics project and need to find a figure for the resitivity of standard writing paper.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
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You need to find a "figure" for the resistivity of paper? What KIND of a figure?

Zz.
 
I'd start by finding the very thinnest possible leaf of paper, and sandwiching it between two electrodes with very great surface area. Any idea why?
 
sorry for posting this in the wrong place.

Zapper - We were told for research we needed to find an approximate value for the resistivity of paper so we can compare results from an experiment we are doing to the actual values...

It is a bit confusing. I imagine it will be a fairly high value?
 
Hello,

What we have to do is design an experiment to find the resistivity of paper, easy enough.

But to check our results we need to find the "official" value of what the resistivity of paper is.

(The resisitivity is a constant and measured in Ohm Metres, Zapper)

For example the resistivity of copper Copper 1.72 × 10-8 Ωm.

I would imagine paper, as a fairly poor condutcor, would have a larger resistivity, but we don't know what...

Any ideas?
 
putting a paper in between electrodes?
I remember my high school physics teacher doing this demo a while back and he ended up with a burning paper. :smile:
 
TicTac2 said:
sorry for posting this in the wrong place.

Zapper - We were told for research we needed to find an approximate value for the resistivity of paper so we can compare results from an experiment we are doing to the actual values...

It is a bit confusing. I imagine it will be a fairly high value?

So by asking about a "figure", you mean you want a value, rather than a graph of some kind (what is normally referred to as a "figure")? Very confusing.

What is wrong with just measuring it? It's not going to be easy because you probably need to use a rather thin strip of paper and a rather large potential difference to be able to detect any noticable current using standard lab equipment. Then you need to make an estimate of the cross-sectional area of that paper strip to be able to find the approximate resistivity.

Good luck!

Zz.
 
tim_lou said:
putting a paper in between electrodes?
I remember my high school physics teacher doing this demo a while back and he ended up with a burning paper. :smile:
Wouldn't that mean it has low resisitivity?

( :O is this a word: resitivititional, Five i's!)
 
Major_Disaster said:
(The resisitivity is a constant and measured in Ohm Metres, Zapper)

Yes, I'm fully aware what "resistivity" means. I've measured it in myself in layered materials using the 4-point technique. I was asking for what "figure" that was being asked in the OP, if you notice.

Zz.
 
  • #10
:shy:

All we want is the numerical value / number / summin that looks like 1.xxx x10-x

:smile:
 
  • #11
An order of magnitude value will be more than sufficient. Different types of paper will have different resistivities, try a google search.
 

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