Fill in the blanks with suitable words:

‘The resistance R not only depends on the ______ of the conductor but also on the ______ of the conductor.’ 

The correct answer is Material, dimensions.

Key Points

• The resistance (R) of a conductor depends on the material of the conductor, as different materials have different resistivities.
• Resistance is also influenced by the dimensions of the conductor, such as its length (L) and cross-sectional area (A).
• The relationship is mathematically expressed as R = ρ(L/A), where ρ is the resistivity of the material.
• Materials with low resistivity, such as copper and silver, are excellent conductors, while materials with high resistivity, such as rubber, are insulators.
• The length of the conductor is directly proportional to resistance, while the cross-sectional area is inversely proportional.

Additional Information

• Resistivity (ρ):
  • It is a material-specific property that determines how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current.
  • Measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m).
• Factors Affecting Resistance:
  • Material of the conductor (resistivity).
  • Length of the conductor (longer conductors have higher resistance).
  • Cross-sectional area (thicker conductors have lower resistance).
  • Temperature (in most materials, resistance increases with temperature).
• Conductors vs. Insulators:
  • Conductors like copper and aluminum have low resistivity and allow current to flow easily.
  • Insulators like rubber and glass have high resistivity and block the flow of current.
• Applications:
  • Low-resistance materials are used in electrical wiring for efficient current flow.
  • High-resistance materials are used in heating elements and resistors.