Difference Between Electrical Conductivity and Electrical Resistivity
Here are some differences between electrical conductivity and electrical resistivity:
Criteria |
Electrical Conductivity |
Electrical Resistivity |
---|---|---|
Definition |
Electrical conductivity measures how well a material can conduct electricity. |
Electrical resistivity measures how much a material resists the flow of electricity. |
Units |
Electrical conductivity is typically measured in units of Siemens per meter (S/m) or mho per meter (℧/m). |
Electrical resistivity is typically measured in units of Ohm-meter (Ω⋅m). |
Free electrons |
Materials with high conductivity have free electrons that allow electric current to flow easily. |
Materials with high resistivity have very few free electrons and impede the flow of electric current. |
Temperature Dependency |
Electrical conductivity of metals typically decreases with increasing temperature. |
Electrical resistivity increases with increasing temperature. |
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity is a fundamental property that measures a material’s ability to conduct electric current. It varies among materials and is influenced by factors such as temperature, material composition, impurities, and pressure. Electrical conductivity is typically measured in siemens per meter (S/m).
Electrical conductivity finds applications in electronics, power transmission, material science, environmental science, geology, biomedical fields, and more. In this article, we learn about electrical conductivity in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Electrical Conductivity?
- Electrical Conductivity Examples
- Electrical Conductivity of Metals
- Factors Influencing Electrical Conductivity
- How is Electrical Conductivity Measured?
- Applications of Electrical Conductivity