1. What is Conductivity?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conductivity formula:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Conductivity (S/m)
• \( L \) — Length of the conductor (m)
• \( R \) — Electrical resistance (ohms)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)

Explanation: The formula relates the geometric properties of a conductor (length and cross-sectional area) with its electrical resistance to determine how well it conducts electricity.

3. Importance of Conductivity Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in the correct units (meters for length, ohms for resistance, and square meters for area). 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 a material (S/m), while conductance depends on the geometry of the specific object (S).

Q2: What are typical conductivity values?
A: Silver has ~6.3×10⁷ S/m, copper ~5.96×10⁷ 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: Can this calculator be used for ionic conductivity?
A: The same formula applies, but ionic conductivity typically involves solutions rather than solid conductors.

Q5: What's the relationship between conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity (σ) is the reciprocal of resistivity (ρ): σ = 1/ρ.