Resistance of a piece of metal

In summary, the resistance of a piece of metal is halved if both its length and diameter are reduced to one half their original values. This can be calculated using the formula R = pL/A, where P is the resistivity constant, assuming that it is a round wire. The new resistance can be compared to the old resistance by considering the changes in length and diameter.
  • #1
05holtel
52
0

Homework Statement




How does the resistance of a piece of metal change if both its length and its diameter are reduced to one half their original values?
Question 1 answers
It is increased to 4 times the original value
It doubles
It remains unchanged
It is halved
It is reduced to 1/4 of the original value

Homework Equations



R = pL/A where P is the resistivity constant

The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure how to relate the area to change in area
 
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  • #2


05holtel said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure how to relate the area to change in area

I think you can assume it's a round wire.
 
  • #3


they call one dimension a "diameter" , which becomes half
... how does the new Area compare to the old Area ?
(it's not about _change_ , it is about new = "some number" times old)
 
  • #4


lightgrav said:
they call one dimension a "diameter" , which becomes half
... how does the new Area compare to the old Area ?
(it's not about _change_ , it is about new = "some number" times old)

Assume it's a round wire, with diameter d, the new diameter will be d/2.
old length is L, new length is 2L

Calculate old and new resistance, compare.
 

Related to Resistance of a piece of metal

1. What is resistance?

Resistance is a measure of how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms (Ω) and is represented by the symbol R.

2. How is resistance of a piece of metal determined?

The resistance of a piece of metal is determined by its dimensions, temperature, and the material it is made of. Different metals have different levels of resistance, with some being more conductive than others.

3. What factors affect the resistance of a piece of metal?

The resistance of a piece of metal is affected by its length, cross-sectional area, temperature, and the type of material it is made of. As the length of the metal increases, the resistance also increases. A larger cross-sectional area results in lower resistance, and an increase in temperature leads to an increase in resistance.

4. How does temperature affect the resistance of a piece of metal?

As the temperature of a piece of metal increases, its resistance also increases. This is because as the temperature rises, the atoms in the metal vibrate more, making it harder for electrons to flow through the material, thus increasing its resistance.

5. How is the resistance of a piece of metal useful in everyday life?

The resistance of a piece of metal is useful in everyday life for a variety of reasons. It is used in circuitry to control the flow of electricity and prevent damage to devices. It is also used in heating elements, such as in electric stoves and toasters, where the resistance of the metal converts electrical energy into heat energy. Additionally, the resistance of a metal is used in sensors and meters to measure and monitor various aspects of our environment.

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