What is the resistivity of paper?

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The discussion revolves around finding the resistivity of standard writing paper for a physics project. Participants suggest measuring the resistivity by using a thin strip of paper sandwiched between electrodes, noting that paper is a poor conductor and will likely have a high resistivity value. They emphasize the need for a numerical value in Ohm Metres to compare with experimental results. There is some confusion about what is meant by "figure," but the consensus is that an approximate order of magnitude value would suffice. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges of measuring resistivity and the variability of values across different types of paper.
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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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