Question

Plot a graph showing the variation of resistivity of a conductor with temperature.

Answer 1

The resistivity of a metallic conductor is given by

\[\rho = \rho_0 \left[ 1 + \alpha\left( T - T_0 \right) \right]\]

\\text { [where }\]

\[ \rho_0 = \text { Resistivity at reference temperature }\]

\[ T_0 =\text {  Reference temperature }\]

\[ \alpha = \text { Coefficient of resistivity }\]

From the above relation, we can say that the graph between resistivity of a conductor with temperature is a straight line. But, at temperatures much lower than 273 K ( i.e. \[0 °C\], the graph deviates considerably from a straight line as shown below.