1. What is Conductivity?

Conductivity (σ) is a measure of a material's ability to conduct electric current. It is the reciprocal of resistivity (ρ) and is measured in siemens per meter (S/m).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conductivity formula:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Conductivity (S/m)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity (ohm·m)

Explanation: The conductivity is simply the inverse of the resistivity of the material.

3. Importance of Conductivity Calculation

Details: Conductivity is crucial in electrical engineering, materials science, and physics for designing circuits, selecting materials, and understanding material properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistivity in ohm·m. The value must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical conductivity values?
A: Conductivity varies widely: silver ≈ 63 × 10⁶ S/m, copper ≈ 59 × 10⁶ S/m, seawater ≈ 5 S/m, while insulators like glass ≈ 10⁻¹² S/m.

Q2: How does temperature affect conductivity?
A: For metals, conductivity decreases with temperature. For semiconductors, it increases with temperature.

Q3: What's the difference between conductivity and conductance?
A: Conductivity is an intrinsic property (S/m), while conductance depends on geometry (S).

Q4: Why is conductivity important in materials selection?
A: It determines whether a material is suitable as a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator for specific applications.

Q5: How is conductivity measured experimentally?
A: Typically using a conductivity meter or by measuring resistance and applying geometric factors.