Question

Which wire has the highest resistance?

Answer 1

The wire with the highest resistance typically has the following characteristics:

1. Longer Length: The longer the wire, the higher its resistance. This is because electrons have to travel through a longer path, which increases the chance of collisions with atoms, causing resistance.
   

1. Smaller Cross-Sectional Area (Thinner Wire): A wire with a smaller cross-sectional area has higher resistance because there is less space for the electrons to flow through. It’s like trying to squeeze through a narrow passage compared to a wide one.
   

1. Material: Different materials have different resistivities (a property that determines how strongly they resist current). For example, copper and aluminum are good conductors with low resistance, while materials like nichrome and constantan have higher resistance and are often used in heating elements.
   

1. Temperature: Resistance usually increases with temperature for most materials. So, a wire that's heated up will generally have more resistance than when it is cold.
   

So, if you have a long, thin wire made of a high-resistivity material, it will have the highest resistance.