1. What is Wire Resistance?

Wire resistance is the opposition to electric current flow through a conductor. It depends on the material's resistivity, the length of the wire, and its cross-sectional area, as described by the formula R = ρL/A.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the resistance formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Resistance in ohms (Ω)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity of the material (Ω·m)
• \( L \) — Length of the wire (m)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of the wire (m²)

Explanation: Resistance increases with longer wires and higher resistivity materials, but decreases with larger cross-sectional areas.

3. Importance of Resistance Calculation

Details: Accurate resistance calculation is crucial for electrical circuit design, power transmission efficiency, and preventing overheating in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistivity in Ω·m, length in meters, and cross-sectional area in m². All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is resistivity?
A: Resistivity is a material property that quantifies how strongly a material opposes electric current flow. Different materials have different resistivity values.

Q2: How does wire thickness affect resistance?
A: Thicker wires (larger cross-sectional area) have lower resistance, allowing more current to flow with less energy loss.

Q3: What are typical resistivity values?
A: Copper: 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: 2.82×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silver: 1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m (at 20°C).

Q4: Does temperature affect resistance?
A: Yes, for most materials, resistance increases with temperature. This calculator assumes standard temperature conditions.

Q5: Can I use this for AC circuits?
A: This calculates DC resistance. For AC circuits, you may need to consider skin effect and other factors at high frequencies.