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Question

Resistivity of the wire depends on mainly ________

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is
Material

Resistivity Dependence on Material

Resistivity is a fundamental property of a substance that quantifies how strongly it resists electric current. It is an intrinsic characteristic of the material itself.

The formula relating resistance ($R$), resistivity ($\rho$), length ($L$), and cross-sectional area ($A$) is given by:

$ R = \rho \frac{L}{A} $

Analysis of Factors

  • Material: Resistivity ($\rho$) is inherent to the material. For example, copper has a much lower resistivity than rubber. This is the primary factor.
  • Number of wires: This relates to quantity, not the intrinsic property of the material.
  • Diameter of the wire: Diameter affects the cross-sectional area ($A$). While area influences resistance ($R$), it does not change the material's resistivity ($\rho$).
  • Length of the wire: Length ($L$) directly influences resistance ($R$) but does not alter the resistivity ($\rho$) of the material.

Key Takeaway

Resistivity is solely dependent on the nature of the Material and, to some extent, temperature (though material is the main factor). Dimensions like length and diameter affect resistance, not resistivity.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which of the following statements is correct?
  2. A cylindrical wire of length L and radius r has a resistance R. The resistance of another wire of the same material but half its length and half its radius will be:
  3. The length and the cross-sectional area of a conductor in the shape of a cylinder are '\(l\)' and '\(A\)' respectively. The resistivity of the material of the conductor is '\(\rho\)'. Its resistance depends upon
    (p) \(l\) only
    (q) \(l\) and \(A\)
    (r) \(\rho\), \(l\) and \(A\)
    (s) \(\rho\) and \(l\), but not \(A\)
    Pick up the right option from those given above.
  4. The resistance of a metallic wire of length 1m and area of cross-section 1sq.metre having a resistivity is $2 \times 10^{-6}$ ohm - m is:
  5. A cylindrical wire of length \(L\) and radius \(r\) has a resistance \(R\). The resistance of another wire of same material but having four times its length and half its radius will be:
  6. A cylindrical wire of length L and radius r has a resistance R. The resistance of another wire of the same material but half its length and half its radius will be:
  7. The resistance of a 10 m long copper wire is R ohm. What will be the resistance of a 5 m long copper wire?

  8. When a number of resistance are connected in _______, their combined resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance.

  9. A cylindrical wire of length L and radius r has resistance R. The resistance of another wire of the same material but of twice its length and one-fourth its radius is:

  10. The resistance of a metallic wire is R. If the radius of the metallic wire is reduced to half of its initial value while keeping all other parameters the same, the new resistance becomes__________.


Important Questions from Resistance and Resistivity

  1. Which of the following metals has the lowest electrical resistivity?

  2. A uniform wire of resistance 9Ω is bent in the form of an equilateral triangle. Find the effective resistance across a side of the triangle.

  3. The value of carbon resistance is 54 × 103 Ω. The percentage tolerance is 5%. What is the colour code sequence of carbon resistance?

  4. Which of the following relations are wrong?

    I. The specific conductance is given by the relation \(k = \frac{1}{R}\left( {l/A} \right)\)

    II. The equivalent conducting is given by the relation \(\lambda = \frac{{100\;K}}{C}\)

    III. The specific resistance is given by the relation \(\rho = \frac{{Rl}}{A}\)

  5. A current is flowing through a metallic wire. If the wire is heated, which quantities change?

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