MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: Could you please tell me how resistance in electrical wires is formed?

Date: Wed Jan 3 13:14:50 2001
Posted By: Chris Seaman, Staff, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Alcoa Technical Center
Area of science: Physics
ID: 977089651.Ph
Message:

Resistance is directly proportional to the length of a wire (longer 
wire, more resistance) and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional 
area (bigger cross section, less resistance).

Since this is a research project, I sugguest you check any first year 
college physics book, such as "Sears, Zemansky, and Young", or "Halliday 
and Resnick".  There you will find a complete derivation of the 
relationship of resistance to length and area.  There may also be an 
explanation of why different metals have different resistance; for example,  
why copper is better than aluminum which is better than steel.

Happy Hunting!

Christopher M. Seaman
Alcoa Technical Center





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