Resistivity is a property of materials that defines how strongly they resist the flow of electric current. It is an important concept in understanding electrical circuits.
In the
Class 10 NCERT curriculum,
resistivity is introduced as part of the chapter on "Electricity." Here's a simple breakdown:
Definition of Resistivity:
Resistivity (denoted by the symbol
ρ - rho) is the measure of how much a material resists the flow of electric current. The higher the resistivity, the more the material resists current.
Formula for Resistivity:
The resistivity of a material is given by the formula:
\[
\rho = R \times \frac{A}{L}
\]
Where:
- ρ is the resistivity of the material.
- R is the resistance of the material.
- A is the cross-sectional area of the material.
- L is the length of the material.
Units of Resistivity:
The unit of resistivity is
ohm meter (Ω·m).
Factors Affecting Resistivity:
- Material: Different materials have different resistivities. For example, metals like copper and aluminum have low resistivity, meaning they conduct electricity well, while materials like rubber have high resistivity.
- Temperature: Resistivity of most materials increases with an increase in temperature, especially for metals.
Significance of Resistivity:
- Low resistivity materials are good conductors (e.g., copper, silver).
- High resistivity materials are insulators (e.g., rubber, wood).
In summary, resistivity tells you how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. It depends on the material and temperature and is an important factor when designing electrical circuits.