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). The unit of conductivity is siemens per meter (S/m).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conductivity formula:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Conductivity (S/m)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity (Ω·m)
• \( L \) — Length of the conductor (m)
• \( R \) — Resistance (Ω)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)

Explanation: The equation shows the relationship between the geometric dimensions of a conductor, its resistance, and its conductivity.

3. Importance of Conductivity Calculation

Details: Conductivity is crucial for material selection in electrical engineering, electronics, and material science. It helps determine how well a material will perform in electrical applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter length in meters, resistance in ohms, and cross-sectional area in square meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between conductivity and conductance?
A: Conductivity is an intrinsic property of the material (S/m), while conductance depends on the geometry of the material (S).

Q2: What are typical conductivity values?
A: Silver has ~6.3×10⁷ S/m, copper ~5.96×10⁷ S/m, seawater ~5 S/m, while insulators like glass may have 10⁻¹² S/m.

Q3: How does temperature affect conductivity?
A: For metals, conductivity decreases with temperature. For semiconductors, it increases with temperature.

Q4: What are the limitations of this calculation?
A: This assumes uniform material properties and geometry. Real-world factors like impurities and temperature variations may affect actual conductivity.

Q5: Can this be used for AC measurements?
A: This calculates DC conductivity. For AC, you would need to consider frequency-dependent effects like skin depth.