Re: What affects the resistance of a piece of wire?

Jamie;

Briefly; The resistance of a wire depends on:
the material(s)
the dimensions
the temperature

There are loads of very good posts on the topic with MadSci already. I've 
listed the ones I thought best suit your question.
I hope you don't mind if I leave it at that. I can't improve on the good 
stuff already posted! Honest! I read them all (please take the time to do 
this yourself) and learnt a fair bit.
 http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug97/867430996.Ph.r.html
This was the posting you read?
 http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/oct98/909973774.Eg.r.html
Discussion of the effect of cross-section area.
 http://www.
madsci.org/posts/archives/959092633.Ph.r.html
Discusses the effects when an AC rather than a DC current is considered.
 http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep99/936213072.Ph.r.html
Off the topic, but nicely describes exactly what is an electric current.
 http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/mar99/922166400.Eg.q.html http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/mar99/922166400.Eg.r.html
This query involves the effect of temperature on resistance.
 http:
//www.madsci.org/posts/archives/feb98/886377089.Ph.r.html
An answer with another good discussion of resistance and current.

Good, aren't they?

Ewen McLaughlin