Resistivity Temperature Dependence: Definition, Unit, Temperature

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Resistivity Temperature Dependence states that Resistivity is indirectly proportional to the temperature. As the temperature of materials increases, the resistivity decreases. Resistivity of a substance is defined as a measurement of the capacity of the substance to resist current from flowing inside the material. The higher the conductivity, the lower the resistivity of the material and vice versa. However, it is found that the resistivities of the materials can be changed by changing the temperature of the material.

Read More: Difference between Earth and Neutral

Key Terms: Resistivity, Conductivity, Conductors, Electrical Resistance, Semi-Conductors, Insulators, Temperature, Electric Current, Electrons


Temperature Dependence of Resistivity

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Resistivity of materials depends on the temperature. The equation ρt = ρ0 [1 + α (T – T0) shows the relation between the temperature and the resistivity for any material. In this equation, ρ0 is the resistivity of material at some particular temperature, ρt is the resistivity of material at t°C, T0 is the reference temperature or temperature at which measurement will be performed and α is the temperature coefficient of resistivity.

Temperature Coefficient Resistance

Temperature Coefficient Resistance

Resistivity is indirectly proportional to the temperature. With the increase in the temperature of materials, resistivities will decrease. But this is not always true for all materials i.e., all materials do not have the same variation with temperature. The resistivities of metallic conductors lie in a limited range of temperature, which is given by the following equation:

ρT = ρ0 [1 + a(T – T0)]

Here,

  • ρT = resistivity at a temperature T
  • ρ0 = resistivity at a reference temperature T0
  • a = temperature coefficient of resistivity of a material, the value of a is (Temperature)-1

As per the above equation, a graph of ρT plotted against T would be a straight line which means the resistivity of a metallic conductor increases with increasing temperature. Different materials have different temperature variations.

Example: Materials like Nichrome, chromium, and constantan change their resistivities very little with temperature. Hence, they are used in wire-wound resistors. While, semiconductors show an inverse relation to temperature. Resistivities of semiconductors decrease with an increase in temperatures.

In terms of ‘n’, resistivity, ρ is given by: ρ = 1/σ = m/ne2ζ

  • Here, n is the no. of free electrons in a material, and ζ is the average time between collisions that are inversely proportional to ρ.
  • With an increase in temperature, there will be an increase in the number of collisions of electrons.
  • This reduces the ζ which means with an increase in temperature the ρ increases.
  • However, in insulators and semiconductors, ‘n’ increases with the increase in temperature.
  • Thus, with an increase in temperature ‘ρ’ decreases.

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Variation of Resistivity

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The resistivity ρ of a material depends on the molecular and atomic structure and is temperature-dependent. For many good conductors, resistivity increases with increasing temperature.

Variation of Resistivity in Conductors

In conductors, valence electrons are loosely bound to the nucleus. Metals or conductors have relatively low ionization energy hence metals lose electrons very easily. When electric current is supplied to metal the delocalized electrons move freely within the compound. 

Variation of Resistivity in Conductors

Variation of Resistivity in Conductors

When we increase the temperature the movements of the metal ions in the material structure also increase. As metal starts to make vibration with a higher amplitude. These movements cause several collisions between the free and the other electrons.

Each collision causes loss of energy of the free electrons, thus not allowing them to move freely. It restricts the movement of the free electrons. When the collision occurs the mean velocity of the electrons decreases. Hence, the resistivity of the metal increases, and hence the current flow of current in the metal decreases. The resistivity increases hence the conductivity of the material decreases.

Variation of Resistivity in Semiconductors

Silicon is an example of semiconductors. In semiconductors, the forbidden gap between the conduction band and the valence band is smaller than the pure conductor. At 0K temperature, the valence band is filled and the conduction band may be left empty or partially filled. 

Variation of Resistivity in Semiconductors

Variation of Resistivity in Semiconductors

Fig: temperature (T) variability with resistivity (ρ) of a semiconductor is represented

When a small amount of energy is supplied, the electrons easily move to the conduction band, which increases the conductivity of the semiconductor. Silicon is an example of semiconductors. Under normal circumstances, silicon acts as a poor conductor. Silicon atom is bonded to 4 other silicon atoms in the lattice structure of silicon. 

Variation of Resistivity in Insulators

In insulators, the energy gap between the conduction band and the valence band is very high. In insulators, the valence band is partially filled with electrons. The forbidden gap between the two bands will be more than 3 eV which needs the energy to move electrons to the conduction bands. Glass, plastics, and diamond are examples of an insulator.

Variation of Resistivity in Insulators

Variation of Resistivity in Insulators

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Things to Remember

  • Factors that Affect the Resistivity of Electrical Materials are Temperature, Alloying, Mechanical stressing, Age Hardening, and Cold Working.
  • While determining the chemical and physical characteristic property of each material, resistivity plays a useful role in comparing various materials based on their ability to conduct electric currents.
  • A high resistivity means poor conductors. 
  • The number of collisions between free electrons and atoms increases. This increases the opposition to the movement of electrons and hence the resistance of the conductor.
  • The temperate dependence of μ is dominated by two factors; phonon scattering and ionized impurity scattering. 

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Sample Questions

Ques. How will you explain the temperature dependence of resistivity for a semiconductor? (2 marks)

Ans. For all semiconductors, resistivity reduces with an increase in temperature. With increases in temperature more electrons become loose from their atoms. A semiconductor with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance is called a thermistor.

Ques. Does the resistivity of a metal depend on temperature? (2 marks)

Ans. Resistivity is inversely proportional to the temperature. Also, as you increase the temperature of materials, their resistivities will decrease.

Ques. Does the resistivity of semiconductors change with temperature? (2 marks)

Ans. As the temperature increases more electrons will get the energy to jump from the conduction band to the valence band, and hence increases the conductivity of the semiconductor. So as the temperature gets higher, the resistivity of semiconductors decreases.

Ques. Why does resistivity decrease with temperature? (2 marks)

Ans. When the temperature increases the gap between the bands becomes very less and the electrons move from the valence band to the conduction band. Thus when the temperature increases in a semiconductor, the density of the charged electrons also increases, and the resistivity decreases.

Ques. What is the effect of temperature on semiconductors? (2 marks)

Ans. When the temperature increases, covalent bonds between compounds break down due to thermal energy supplied to semiconductors. Hence electrons become free, which are engaged in the formation of bonds. Hence, a high-temperature semiconductor no longer behaves as an insulator.

Ques. How can we change resistivity? (2 marks)

Ans. The resistivity of materials depends on the material’s atomic structure. So we can change the resistivity of a substance by changing the temperature. We also know that the valence electrons are loosely held in the nucleus.

Ques. Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other of manganin have the same resistance. Which wire is thicker? (2 marks)

Ans. As R = pl/A, therefore, A = pl/R

For both wires, R and l are the same, and ρ copper < p manganis.

∴ A copper < A manganin

So we can say that Manganin wire is thicker than copper wire.

Ques. A wire of 20 Ω resistance is gradually stretched to double its original length. It is then cut into two equal parts. These parts are then connected in parallel across a 4.0-volt battery. Find the current drawn from the battery. (3 marks)

Ans. When we stretch the wire the resistance of the wire will get to four times, i.e., 80 Ω as volume is constant and R α l2

So the two equal parts will have a resistance of 40 Ω each.

When connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance will be 20 Ω

Therefore, the current drawn will be given by = V/Req

So, it will be equal to = 4/20 = 0.2A.

Ques. What is the difference between resistivity and resistance? (4 marks)

Ans. The difference between Resistivity and Resistance is: 

Parameter Resistance Resistivity
Definition Material’s property that provides resistance to the flow of current Resistance of a material having specific dimensions
Symbol R P
SI Unit Ohms Ohms-meter
Formula R = V/I or, R = ρ(L/A) V = Voltage, I = Current, ρ = Resistivity ρ = (R×A)/L  R = Resistance, L= Length, A = Cross-sectional area
Dependence Temperature, Length, Cross-sectional area of conductor Temperature
Applications Resistance’s property is useful in elements like sensors, fuses, heaters, etc Resistivity is effective as a quality control test

Ques. What is the Effect of Temperature on Conductors? (3 marks)

Ans. If the temperature of a metallic conductor which is connected to the circuit increases, its resistance also increases.

Thus, factors on which resistance of a conductor depends are:

  1. its length,
  2. its area of cross-section,
  3. the nature of its material and
  4. its temperature.

Ques. Temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) of semiconductors, insulators, and metals is significantly based on what factors? (3 marks)

Ans. Resistivity ( ρ ) depends on the mass of the charge carrier (m), and relaxation time ( τ ). Length and mass cannot be a function of T as the mass of a body are constant everywhere. So discards answer (d) and length of body changes negligibly with temperature discards answer (c). 

As τ decreases on increasing T due to the rise in the speed of change-carriers and n increases on increasing temperature. So will affect the ρ or ρ is the function of T verifies answers (a) and (b)

Ques. A battery of 20 Volts connected to a conductor induces a current of 20mA in the conductor. Find the resistance of the conductor. (3 marks)

Ans. The resistance of a conductor is given by the relation: R  = V/I 

Given: V = 20V 

I = 20mA = 0.02 A 

Plugging in the values inside the relation, 

R = V/I 

⇒ R = (20)/(0.02) 

R= 1000 Ohms

Ques. A cylindrical conductor of a length of 0.1m and cross-sectional area of 0.01 m2. The resistivity of the material is 1 x 10-8 ohm-m. Find the resistance of the material. (4 marks)

Ans. The resistance of a conductor is given by: R = \(\frac{\rho l}{A}\)

Given:

l = 0.1m 

A = 0.01 m2

ρ = 1 x 10-8 

Plugging the values in the relation given above,

 R =\( \frac{\rho l}{A}\)

⇒ R =\( \frac{1 \times 10^{-8} 0.1}{0.01}\)

R = 10-7

Ques. At temperature T0 the resistivity of a metallic conductor is 15.4 ohm-m. Let’s say the temperature is increased by 50K and the temperature coefficient of resistivity is given by 0.0045. Find the new resistivity. (4 marks)

Ans. The resistivity of metallic conductors is given by the following equation: 

ρT = ρ0[ 1 + a(T – T0)]

Here, 

ρT =?

ρ0 = 15.4 nOhm-n 

a = 0.0045 

ρT = ρ0[ 1 + a(T – T0)]

⇒ ρT = 15.4[ 1 + (0.0045)(50)]

⇒ ρT = 15.4[1.225] 

ρT = 18.86

Ques. What is the root of the opposition? (3 marks)

Ans. Resistance of a conductor denotes the conductor’s opposition to the charge flow through all of it. Two parts of an electric field are set when a potential difference is introduced across a conductor.

Metal has various electrons and an equivalent number of positive ions that don’t move in the presence of free electron movement. This leads to the acceleration of electrons. The ions and atoms collide as the electrons pass, thus their motion is in opposition. Conductor resistance is the antagonism supplied by ions and atoms.

Ques. What are the main determinants of resistance? (3 marks)

Ans. Property of a material that hinders the flow of electrons is called resistance. Temperature, the area of the cross-section of the wire, which is inversely proportional, and the type of material used are the elements that affect resistance and determine the flow of power. The resistance is mostly unaffected by the conductor’s overall form. Thus, choosing the right material will aid in the proper resistance or conductivity.

Ques. At room temperature (27.0oC) the resistance of a heating element is 100Ω. What is the temperature of the element if the resistance is found to be 117Ω, given that the temperature coefficient of the material of the resistor is 1.70×10−4C−1(3 marks)

Ans. At T = 27oC, R = 100Ω

R1 ​= 117Ω

Thermal coefficient, α = R(T1​−T) R1 ​− R ​= 1.70 × 10 − 4C − 1

⇒ T1 ​= 1027°C

Ques. What is meant by electrical resistivity? (2 marks)

Ans. Electrical resistivity can be defined as the basic property of a body which helps in the measurement of the extent to which the body resists the movement of electric current. In simple words, the lower the resistivity, the better will be the current flow.

Ques. What is temperature dependence of resistivity? (2 marks)

Ans. Resistivity is basically indirectly proportional to the temperature. With increase in the material’s temperature, the resistivities decrease. However, this isn’t true for every material. In other words, not all materials have the same dependence on temperature.

Ques. Show the symbol that is used to denote electrical resistivity. (1 mark)

Ans. Electrical resistivity can be denoted by ρ (rho).

Ques. Define the relationship between resistivity and conductivity. (1 mark)

Ans. Resistivity can be expressed as the reciprocal of conductivity. With higher conductivity, the resistivity of the material will be lower and vice versa.


Previous Year Questions 

  1. Required potential gradient is….[NEET 2015]
  2. potential drop through 4Ω  resistor is… [ NEET 1993 ]
  3. The current through the potentiometer wire is...[NEET 2015]
  4. When a resistance R  is connected in series, it works perfectly and….[NEET 2016]
  5. Two batteries of emf 4V and 8V with internal resistance… 
  6. The practical unit of resistance is… 
  7. In an experiment of Wheatstone bridge, a null point is obtained at… 
  8. Seven resistances are connected as shown in the given figure…
  9. A circuit consists of five identical conductors as shown in figure… 
  10. The resistance of an ammeter is 13Ω and its scale is graduated for… 
  11. A material B has twice the specific resistance of…
  12. The length of a conductor is halved. Its conductivity will be… 
  13. The masses of three copper wires are in the ratio… 
  14. To increase the range of an ammeter, we need to connect a suitable…
  15. Two electric bulbs, one of 200V, 40W and other of… 
  16. What is the resistance between A and B in the figure…
  17. The ammeter A reads 2 A and the voltmeter V reads 20 V…
  18. All the resistors are equal in value each being 2 ohm…  
  19. A micro-ammeter gives full scale deflection at…
  20. Two ideal batteries of...

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    The resistance of a wire at 25°C is 10.0 \( \Omega \). When heated to 125°C, its resistance becomes 10.5 \( \Omega \). Find (i) the temperature coefficient of resistance of the wire, and (ii) the resistance of the wire at 425°C.


      • 2.
        (a) Consider the so-called ‘D-T reaction’ (Deuterium-Tritium reaction).
        In a thermonuclear fusion reactor, the following nuclear reaction occurs: \[ \ ^{2}_1 \text{H} + \ ^{3}_1 \text{H} \longrightarrow \ ^{4}_2 \text{He} + \ ^{1}_0 \text{n} + Q \] Find the amount of energy released in the reaction.
        % Given data Given:
        \( m\left(^{2}_1 \text{H}\right) = 2.014102 \, \text{u} \)
        \( m\left(^{3}_1 \text{H}\right) = 3.016049 \, \text{u} \)
        \( m\left(^{4}_2 \text{He}\right) = 4.002603 \, \text{u} \)
        \( m\left(^{1}_0 \text{n}\right) = 1.008665 \, \text{u} \)
        \( 1 \, \text{u} = 931 \, \text{MeV}/c^2 \)


          • 3.
            Three batteries E1, E2, and E3 of emfs and internal resistances (4 V, 2 \(\Omega\)), (2 V, 4 \(\Omega\)) and (6 V, 2 \(\Omega\)) respectively are connected as shown in the figure. Find the values of the currents passing through batteries E1, E2, and E3.
            Three batteries E1, E2, and E3 of emfs and internal resistances


              • 4.
                Two point charges \( q_1 = 16 \, \mu C \) and \( q_2 = 1 \, \mu C \) are placed at points \( \vec{r}_1 = (3 \, \text{m}) \hat{i}\) and \( \vec{r}_2 = (4 \, \text{m}) \hat{j} \). Find the net electric field \( \vec{E} \) at point \( \vec{r} = (3 \, \text{m}) \hat{i} + (4 \, \text{m}) \hat{j} \).


                  • 5.
                    A current carrying circular loop of area A produces a magnetic field \( B \) at its centre. Show that the magnetic moment of the loop is \( \frac{2BA}{\mu_0} \sqrt{\frac{A}{\pi}} \).


                      • 6.
                        A vertically held bar magnet is dropped along the axis of a copper ring having a cut as shown in the diagram. The acceleration of the falling magnet is:
                        vertically held bar magnet is dropped along the axis of a copper ring

                          • zero
                          • less than \( g \)
                          • \( g \)
                          • greater than \( g \)
                        CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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