Resistivity vs. Conductivity — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 26, 2024
Resistivity measures a material's opposition to electric current flow, expressed in ohm-meters (Ω·m), whereas conductivity quantifies how easily electricity flows through a material, in siemens per meter (S/m).
Difference Between Resistivity and Conductivity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Resistivity is a fundamental property of materials that quantifies their resistance to the flow of electric current. It is highly dependent on the material's composition, structure, and temperature. Materials with high resistivity, such as rubber and glass, are excellent insulators because they strongly oppose the flow of electricity. On the other hand, conductivity is the inverse of resistivity and measures a material's ability to conduct electric current. Metals like copper and aluminum have high conductivity and are therefore used widely as conductors in electrical applications.
The relationship between resistivity and conductivity is reciprocal; as one increases, the other decreases. This inverse relationship is crucial in the selection of materials for specific electrical applications, such as insulators for preventing current flow or conductors for facilitating it. For example, the high resistivity of rubber makes it suitable for insulating electrical wires, while the high conductivity of copper makes it ideal for the wires themselves.
Temperature plays a significant role in both properties; for most conductors, resistivity increases with temperature, while conductivity decreases. This is because increased thermal energy scatters the electrons more, hindering their flow through the material. Conversely, some materials, like semiconductors, decrease in resistivity as temperature increases, due to the increased number of charge carriers available to conduct electricity.
Both resistivity and conductivity are essential for understanding and controlling the flow of electric current in various devices and applications. While resistivity helps in designing insulators and understanding material resistance, conductivity is key to optimizing the efficiency of electrical transmission lines and components.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Measures opposition to electric current flow
Measures ease of electric current flow
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Unit of Measure
Ohm-meters (Ω·m)
Siemens per meter (S/m)
High Value Means
Poor electrical conduction (Good insulator)
Good electrical conduction (Good conductor)
Influenced by
Material composition, structure, temperature
Material composition, structure, temperature
Applications
Designing insulators, understanding material resistance
Electrical transmission, making conductors
Compare with Definitions
Resistivity
Opposition to current flow in a material.
Teflon has a high resistivity, making it an excellent electrical insulator.
Conductivity
Ability to conduct electric current.
Silver has one of the highest conductivities, ideal for high-performance electrical connections.
Resistivity
Varies with temperature.
The resistivity of copper increases as the temperature rises.
Conductivity
Measured in siemens per meter.
The conductivity of seawater is about 5 S/m, enabling it to conduct electricity.
Resistivity
Determines insulation capability.
Materials with high resistivity are used to coat electrical wires.
Conductivity
Decreases with temperature for conductors.
Aluminum's conductivity decreases as it heats up.
Resistivity
Measured in ohm-meters.
Pure silicon has a resistivity of about 2300 Ω·m at room temperature.
Conductivity
Indicates material's conducting efficiency.
Copper is used widely in cables due to its high conductivity.
Resistivity
Affected by material's nature.
Semiconductors have variable resistivity, useful in electronic devices.
Conductivity
Essential for electrical component design.
Materials with high conductivity are selected for making efficient circuits.
Resistivity
The capacity for or tendency toward resistance.
Conductivity
The ability or power to conduct or transmit energy (such as heat, electricity, or sound) or a substance (such as electrons or ions).
Resistivity
(Electricity) An intrinsic property of a material that is measured as its resistance to current per unit length for a uniform cross section.
Conductivity
The conductance of a material.
Resistivity
(electricity) The resistance offered at a particular temperature by an electrical conductor of any given material in a cube of unit length, expressed in ohm-metres (Ωm) in the metric system of measurement.
Conductivity
(Physiology) The conductibility of a structure, especially the ability of a nerve to transmit a wave of excitation.
Resistivity
(thermodynamics) The reciprocal of thermal conductivity, having SI unit: m K W-1
Conductivity
The ability of a material to conduct electricity, heat, fluid or sound
Resistivity
A material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
Conductivity
(physics) The reciprocal of resistivity
Conductivity
The quality or power of conducting, or of receiving and transmitting, as heat, electricity, etc.; as, the conductivity of a nerve.
Conductivity
The transmission of heat or electricity or sound
Common Curiosities
What are some examples of materials with low conductivity?
Materials with low conductivity include rubber, glass, and dry wood, making them good insulators.
Why does conductivity decrease with temperature in most conductors?
In most conductors, increased temperature causes atoms to vibrate more, scattering electrons and hindering their flow, thus reducing conductivity.
Does the resistivity of all materials increase with temperature?
While most conductors exhibit increased resistivity with temperature, semiconductors and some insulators decrease in resistivity as temperature rises.
What determines a material's resistivity?
A material's resistivity is determined by its atomic structure, composition, and temperature.
What role does conductivity play in electronic devices?
High conductivity materials are essential in electronic devices to reduce energy loss and ensure efficient operation of circuits.
Can a material have both high resistivity and high conductivity?
No, resistivity and conductivity are inversely related; as one increases, the other decreases.
Why are semiconductors unique in terms of resistivity?
Semiconductors have variable resistivity that decreases with temperature or when doped with impurities, making them versatile for electronic components.
How does resistivity affect electrical wiring design?
High resistivity materials are chosen for insulation to prevent current leakage, while low resistivity materials are used for the conductive path to ensure efficient current flow.
How is resistivity measured?
Resistivity is measured by determining the resistance of a material sample of known dimensions, then calculating based on its length and cross-sectional area.
How do manufacturers utilize the concept of conductivity?
Manufacturers use materials with high conductivity for electrical components to ensure efficient transmission of electric power.
What makes a good electrical conductor?
A good electrical conductor has low resistivity and high conductivity, allowing for easy flow of electric current with minimal resistance.
How does the environment affect a material's resistivity?
Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and chemical exposure can affect a material's resistivity by changing its physical structure or chemical composition.
Can the conductivity of a material be improved?
Conductivity can be improved by alloying or doping with materials that increase the number of free charge carriers or reduce scattering.
Why is silver not commonly used in electrical wiring despite its high conductivity?
Despite its high conductivity, silver's high cost and scarcity compared to copper make it less economical for widespread electrical wiring use.
What are superconductors, and how do they relate to resistivity?
Superconductors are materials that exhibit zero resistivity below a certain temperature, allowing for the unimpeded flow of electric current, making them ideal for high-efficiency applications.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
