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Conductivity to Resistivity Formula:
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The conversion between electrical conductivity (σ) and electrical resistivity (ρ) is a fundamental relationship in materials science and electrical engineering. These two properties are inversely related and describe how well a material conducts or resists electric current.
The calculator uses the inverse relationship formula:
Where:
Explanation: This simple inverse relationship means that materials with high conductivity have low resistivity, and vice versa. The formula applies to all conductive materials.
Details: Understanding resistivity is crucial for selecting appropriate materials in electrical applications, designing circuits, calculating power losses, and analyzing material properties in semiconductor manufacturing and power transmission systems.
Tips: Enter electrical conductivity in Siemens per meter (S/m). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding resistivity in ohm-meters (Ω·m).
Q1: What is the difference between conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity measures how well a material conducts electricity, while resistivity measures how strongly a material opposes electric current. They are exact reciprocals of each other.
Q2: What are typical resistivity values for common materials?
A: Silver: 1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Copper: 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: 2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Glass: 10¹⁰-10¹⁴ Ω·m, Rubber: 10¹³-10¹⁶ Ω·m.
Q3: Why is this conversion important in engineering?
A: Engineers use this conversion to select appropriate materials for specific applications, calculate voltage drops in conductors, design efficient electrical systems, and analyze material performance.
Q4: Does temperature affect conductivity and resistivity?
A: Yes, for most metals, resistivity increases with temperature. For semiconductors, resistivity typically decreases with temperature. The relationship is described by temperature coefficients.
Q5: What units are commonly used for conductivity and resistivity?
A: Resistivity is typically measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m), while conductivity is measured in Siemens per meter (S/m). Other common units include %IACS for conductivity in copper industry applications.