CURRENT, RESISTANCE AND

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
for GENERAL PHYSICS 2/ Grade 12/
Quarter 3/ Week 4
I. WHAT HAPPENED

Hello Scientists! Did you know? The flicker of numbers on a

handheld calculator, nerve impulses carrying signals of
vision to the brain, an ultrasound device sending a signal to
a computer screen, the brain sending a message for a
baby to twitch its toes, an electric train pulling its load over
a mountain pass, a hydroelectric plant sending
energy to metropolitan and rural users—these and many
other examples of electricity involve electric current, the
movement of charge?

Wow! That’s awesome! Humankind has indeed

harnessed electricity, the basis of technology, to
improve our quality of life. In this module, we
will explore and gain new insights about the
nature of electricity. Are you ready to learn my
fellow scientists? LET’S BEGIN!

Let’s have a simple self-check

first. We will find out how much do
you know about our lesson for
today.

PRE-TEST:
Directions: Identify what is asked in the statements below. Choose the
correct answer from the words found inside the boxes. Write them on your
notebook/worksheet.

SET A (For number 1‒10):

current current density
electron flow electric circuit
ampere electric field
drift velocity steady acceleration
conventional current sign
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1. Itisanymotionofchargefromoneregiontoanother.
2. Itisthemovementofnegativecharges(electrons)oppositetothe directionofthe
electric field.
3. Itistheunit ofcurrent.
4. Itistheaverage velocityreachedbychargedparticles,suchas electrons,ina
material due to an electric field.
5. Itbehaves as ifthepositivechargecarrierscausecurrentflow.
6. The current per unit cross-sectional area is called the .
7. Itisaconductingpath thatformsaclosedloopinwhichcharges move.
8. Itcauseschargestoflow.
9. A in the direction of ⃗𝐹→will result from the charged particle
moving in vacuum, in which after some time the charged particle
would be moving in that direction at high speed.
10. The current and current density don’t depend on the of the
charge.

SET B (For number 11‒20):

resistivity zero
resistance insulators

amount of resistance conductor’s length

Ω∙m greater
conductivity decrease

11. It is the resistance to the flow of an electric current with some

materials resisting the current flow more than others.
12. Itdependsonthematerial ofwhichtheobjectiscomposed.
13. The amount of electrical current which flows is restricted by the
present.
14. The unit for resistivity.
15. Itisthereciprocalorinverseofresistivity.
16. A perfect conductor has resistivity.
17. have highest resistivities.
18. Itisoneofthefactors wherein theelectricalresistancebetween two points can
depend on.
19. The longer the conductor (or wire), the is its electrical resistance.
20. If we increase the conductor’s cross-sectional area, it’s resistance will
.

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II. WHAT INEED TO KNOW
DISCUSSION

CURRENT AND DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW

Electric Circuit
An electric circuit is a conducting path that forms a closed loop in
which charges move. In these circuits, energy is carried from one place to
another.

Current
A current is any motion of charge from one region to another. In this
lesson we will discuss currents in conducting materials. This kind of currents
are applied on charges in motion on vast majority of technologies.

Current is defined to be the amount of charge that passes a given

point in a given amount of time.

𝑑𝑸 where:
𝐼= 𝑰 = 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕
𝑑𝑡
𝒅𝑸 = 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝒅𝒕 = 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
1 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏
Current has units 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒 =
1 𝑠𝑒𝑐
of
An electric field in a conductor causes charges to flow.

Drift Velocity
In Physics, a drift velocity is the average velocity reached by charged particles, such as
electrons, in a material due to an electric field. In general,
an electron in a conductor will propagate randomly at the Fermi velocity,
resulting in an average velocity of zero. Applying an electric field adds to
this random motion a small net flow in one direction; this is the drift.

Consider Figure 1, a conducting wire of cross-sectional area 𝐴, having

𝑛 free charge-carrying particles per unit volume with each particle having a
charge q with particles moving at ⃗𝑣→𝑑

Figure1

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The total charge moving past a given point is then given by

𝑑𝑸 = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 𝐴𝑑𝑡
The current is then given by
𝑑𝑸
𝐼=
𝑑𝑡
= 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 𝐴 where:
𝑰 = 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕
or 𝒅𝑸 = 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝒅𝒕 = 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝐼 = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 𝐴 𝒒 = 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝒏 = 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒔
𝒗𝒅 = 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝑨 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂

During electrostatic situations, the electric field ⃗𝐸

→is zeroeverywhereintheconductor,
and there is no current. This does not imply that all charges inside the
conductor are at rest. Some of the electrons are free to move within the
conducting material, (e.g., copper or aluminum). These free electrons
move randomly in all directions and do not escape from the conducting
material, because they are attracted to the positive ions of the material.
Since the motion of the electrons are random, there is no net flow of charge
in any direction and therefore, no current.
What happens when a constant, steady electric field ⃗𝐸 →is established inside
a conductor? A charged particle (such as a free electron) inside
the conducting material is then subjected to a steady force ⃗𝐹→= 𝑞⃗𝐸→.Asteady
acceleration in the direction of ⃗𝐹→will result from the charged particle
moving in vacuum, in which after some time the charged particle would be
moving in that direction at high speed. This charged particle moving in the
conductor frequently collides with the massive, nearly stationary ions of the
material. These collisions cause random change on the particle’s direction
of motion. The random motion of the charged particles within the conductor along
with a very slow net motion or “drift” of the moving charged particles as a
group in the direction of the electronic force ⃗𝐹→= 𝑞⃗𝐸→is the net effect of
the electric field ⃗𝐸→. This motion is what we call drift velocity ⃗𝑣→𝑑 of the
particles. A net current in the conductor is the result.

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Figure 2

DIRECTIONOF CURRENTFLOW

The electric field ⃗𝐸→ does work on moving charges which results to
kinetic energy (KE). This energy is then transferred to the conductor
through collisions with ions. This phenomenon increases the average
vibrational energy of the ions as well as the temperature of the conductor.

The charges of the moving particles may be positive or negative in

different current-carrying materials.

Electron flow (Figure 3-a) is the movement of negative charges

(electrons) opposite to the direction of the electric field. Conventional
current (Figure 3-b) is the flow of positive charges from the positive to the
negative terminal. It behaves as if the positive charge carriers cause
current flow.

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 I I
Figure 3-a: Positive charges Figure3-b:Negative charges
moving in the direction of the moving at the same speed in the
electric field ⃗𝑬→. direction opposite to the electric
field ⃗𝑬→.

Figure 4: Electron Flow and Conventional Current Flow

It is significant to distinguish the difference between electron flow and conventional current, but it is also
important to realize that the difference between this two does not
affect any real-world behavior and computational results in any way.
In general, analyzing an electrical circuit produces results that are independent of the
assumed direction of current flow. Conventional current flow is the
standard that most all of the world follows.

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CURRENT DENSITY
The current per unit cross-sectional area is called the current density 𝐽:

𝐼 where:
𝑱 = 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒏 = 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒔
𝐽= = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑
𝐴 𝑰 = 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒗𝒅 = 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝒒 = 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂

The units of current density are amperes per square meter (𝐴𝑚𝑝/𝑚2).

The current and current density don’t depend on the sign of the
charge.

Sample Problem 1: Current Density and Drift Velocity in a Wire

An 18-gauge copper wire (the size usually used for lamp cords),
with a diameter of 1. 02 𝑚𝑚, carries a constant current of 1. 67𝐴𝑚𝑝 to a 200-
W lamp. The free-electron density of the wire is 8. 5 × 1028𝑚−3. Find (a) the
current density and (b) the drift velocity.

Solution:
IDENTIFYandSETUP:This problem uses the relationships among current
𝐼, current density 𝐽, and drift velocity. We are given 𝐼 and the wire
𝑑, so we use Eq. 𝐽 = 𝐼 = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 to find 𝐽. We will use the same equation diameterto
𝐴
find 𝑣 𝑑 from 𝐽 and the known electron density 𝑛.

Execute: (a) The cross-sectional area is

𝜋𝑑 2 𝜋(1. 02 × 10−3𝑚)2
𝐴= = = 8. 17 × 10 −7 𝑚 2
4 4

The magnitude of the current density is then

𝐼 1. 67 𝐴𝑚𝑝
𝐽= = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 = = 2. 04 × 106 𝐴𝑚𝑝 ⁄𝑚 2
𝐴 8. 17 × 10−7 𝑚 2

𝐼
(b) From Eq. 𝐽 = = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 for the drift velocity magnitude 𝑣 𝑑 , we
𝐴
find

Note:
𝐽 2. 04 × 106 𝐴𝑚𝑝 ⁄𝑚 2
𝑣𝑑 = = C =Amp/s
𝑛q (8. 5 × 1028 𝑚 −3 )(- 1. 60 × 10-19 C)

= 1. 5 × 10−4 𝑚 ⁄ 𝑠 = 0. 15 𝑚𝑚/𝑠

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Sample Problem 2: Calculating Currents: Current in a Truck Battery and a
Handheld Calculator

(a) What is the current involved when a truck battery sets in motion
720 C of charge in 4.00 s while starting an engine? (b) How long does it take
1.00 C of charge to flow through a handheld calculator if a 0.300-mA
current is flowing?

Strategy:
𝑑𝑸
We can use the definition of current in the equation 𝐼 = 𝑑𝑡 to find
the
current in part (a), since charge and time are given. In part (b), we
rearrange the definition of current and use the given values of charge and
current to find the time required.

Solution for (a):

Entering the given values for charge and time into the definition of
current gives

720 𝐶
𝐼= = 180 𝐶⁄𝑠 = 180 𝐴𝑚𝑝
4. 00 𝑠

Discussion for (a):

This large value for current illustrates the fact that a large charge is
moved in a small amount of time. The currents in these “starter motors”
are fairly large because large frictional forces need to be overcome when
setting something in motion.

Solution for (b):

Solving the relationship 𝐼 = 𝑑𝑸
𝑑𝑡
for time 𝑑𝑡, and entering the known
values for charge and current gives

𝑑𝑸 1. 00 𝐶
𝑑𝑡 = = = 3. 33 × 103𝑠
𝐼 0. 300 × 10−3 𝐶⁄𝑠
Discussion for (b):
This time is slightly less than an hour. The small current used by the
hand-held calculator takes a much longer time to move a smaller charge
than the large current of the truck starter. So why can we operate our
calculators only seconds after turning them on? It’s because calculators
require very little energy. Such small current and energy demands allow
handheld calculators to operate from solar cells or to get many hours of use
out of small batteries. Remember, calculators do not have moving parts in
the same way that a truck engine has with cylinders and pistons, so the
technology requires smaller currents.

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Sample Problem 3: Calculating Drift Velocity in a Common Wire
Calculate the drift velocity of electrons in a 12-gauge copper wire
(which has a diameter of 2.053 mm) carrying a 20.0-Amp current, given
that there is one free electron per copper atom. (Household wiring often
contains 12-gauge copper wire, and the maximum current allowed in
such wire is usually 20 Amp.) The density of copper is 8.80 ×103 kg/m3.

Strategy:
We can calculate the drift velocity using the equation 𝐼 = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 𝐴.
The
current I = 20.0 Amp is given, and q = –1.60×10–19 C is the charge of an electron (C =
Amp.s). We can calculate the area of a cross-section of the wire using the
formula A = πr 2, where r is one-half the given diameter, 2.053
mm. We are given the density of copper, 8.80 × 103 kg/m3 and the periodic
table shows that the atomic mass of copper is 63.54 g/mol. We can use
these two quantities along with Avogadro’s number, 6.02 × 10 23 atoms/mol,
to determine n, the number of free electrons per cubic meter.

Solution:
First, calculate the density of free electrons in copper. There is one free electron per
copper atom. Therefore, is the same as the number of copper atoms per
m3. We can now find n as follows:
1𝑒− 6. 02 × 1023 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 1000 𝑔 8. 80 × 10 3 𝑘𝑔
𝑛= × × × ×
𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑙 63. 54 𝑔 1 𝑘𝑔 1 𝑚3

= 8. 342 × 1 0 28 𝑒 − ⁄𝑚 3

The cross-sectional of the wire is

2
2. 053 × 10−3 𝑚
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 = 3. 141592654 ( ) = 3. 141592654(1. 0265 × 10−3𝑚)2
2

= 3. 141592654(1. 05370225 × 10 −6 𝑚 2 ) = 3. 310 × 10 −6 𝑚 2

Rearranging 𝐼 = 𝑛q𝑣 𝑑 𝐴 to isolate drift velocity gives

𝐼 20. 0 𝐴𝑚𝑝
𝑣𝑑 = =
𝑛q𝐴 (8. 342 × 1 0 𝑒 ⁄ 𝑚 )(- 1. 60 × 10-19 C)(3. 310 × 10−6𝑚 2)
28 − 3

Note, the unit C or Coulomb is equal to Amp ∙ s, therefore,

20. 0 𝐴𝑚𝑝
𝑣𝑑 =
(8. 342 × 1 0 28 𝑒 − ⁄ 𝑚 3 )(- 1. 60 × 10-19 Amp ∙ s)(. 310 × 10−6 𝑚 2 )

𝑣 𝑑 = −4. 53 × 10−4 𝑚⁄𝑠

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Discussion for Sample Problem 3:
The minus sign indicates that the negative charges are moving in the
direction opposite to conventional current. The small value for drift
velocity (on the order of 10–4 m/s) confirms that the signal moves on the order of
1012 times faster (about 108 m/s) than the charges that carry it.

CONDUCTION OF ELECTRICITY AND HEAT

Good electrical conductors are often good heat conductors,
too. This is because large numbers of free electrons can carry electrical
current and can transport thermal energy.

RESISTANCEAND RESISTIVITY

Resistivity

Resistivity of materials is the resistance to the flow of an electric current with

some materials resisting the current flow more than others. The resistivity
of a material is a key factor in determining the electrical resistance of a
conductor, and it is the part of the equation for resistance that considers
the differing characteristics of different materials.

Ohms Law states that when a voltage (V) source is applied between
two points in a circuit, an electrical current (I) will flow between them
encouraged by the presence of the potential difference between these
two points. The amount of electrical current which flows is restricted by
the amount of resistance (R) present. In other words, the voltage
encourages the current to flow (the movement of charge), but it is
resistance that discourages it.

For a given shape, the resistance depends on the material of which

the object is composed. Different materials offer different resistance to
the flow of charge. We define the resistivity 𝝆 of a substance so that the
resistance 𝑅 of an object is directly proportional to 𝝆.
Resistivity 𝝆 is an intrinsic property of a material,
independent of its shape or size. The resistance 𝑅 of a uniform cylinder
of length 𝑅, of cross-sectional area 𝐴, and made of a material with
resistivity 𝝆, is

𝐿
𝑅=𝝆
𝐴

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 where:
𝑹 = 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝑳 = 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
𝝆 = 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝑨 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂

Figure 5.

Table 1 gives representative values of resistivity 𝝆. The materials listed

in the table are separated into categories of conductors, semiconductors, and
insulators, based on broad groupings of resistivities. Conductors have the smallest
resistivities, and insulators have the largest; semiconductors have intermediate
resistivities.

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 Adapted from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/austincc-physics2/chapter/20-3-resistance-and-
resistivity/

The unit of resistivity is the ohm-meter (Ω ∙ 𝑚). The reciprocal of

resistivity is conductivity. Its units are (Ω ∙ 𝑚)−1. A perfect conductor would
have zero resistivity, while a perfect insulator would have infinite resistivity.

Resistivity 𝝆 usually is constant at a certain temperature and does not

depend on electric field. Materials with constant 𝝆 is called ohmic
conductor.

The electrical resistance between two points can depend on many

factors such as the conductor’s length, its cross-sectional area, the
temperature, as well as the actual material from which it is made. For
example, let’s assume we have a piece of wire (a conductor) that has a
length 𝐿, a cross-sectional area 𝐴 and a resistance 𝑅 as shown.

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A Single
Conductor

The electrical resistance, 𝑅 of this simple conductor is a function of

its length, 𝐿 and the conductor’s area, 𝐴. Ohms law tells us that for a
given resistance 𝑅, the current flowing through the conductor is
directly proportional to the applied voltage as 𝐼 = 𝑉/𝑅. Now what if we
connect two identical conductors together in a series combination as
shown.

Doubling the Length of a Conductor

In this section, by connecting the two conductors together in a series combination, that is
end to end, we have effectively doubled the total length of the conductor
(2𝐿), and the total resistance of the conductor, giving 2𝑅 as: 1𝑅 + 1𝑅 =
2𝑅. While the cross-sectional area (𝐴) remains exactly the same as
before.

Therefore, we can see that the resistance of the conductor is

proportional to its length, that is: 𝑅 ∝ 𝐿. We would expect that the longer the
conductor (or wire), the greater is its electrical resistance.

Observe also that by doubling the length and therefore the

resistance of the conductor (2𝑅), to force the same current, 𝐼 to flow through
the conductor as before, we need to double (increase) the applied voltage
as now 𝐼 = (2𝑉)/(2𝑅). Next suppose we connect the two identical conductors
together in parallel combination as shown.

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Doubling the Area of a Conductor

In this example, by connecting the two conductors together in a

parallel combination, we have effectively doubled the total area giving 2𝐴,
while the conductors length, 𝐿 remains the same as the original single
conductor. But as well as doubling the area, by connecting the two
conductors together in parallel we have effectively halved the total
resistance of the conductor, giving 1/2𝑅 as now each half of the current
flows through each conductor branch.

Therefore, the resistance of the conductor is inversely proportional to its

area, that is: 𝑅 1/∝ 𝐴 or 𝑅 ∝ 1 / 𝐴. Which means that we would expect
the electrical resistance of a conductor (or wire) to proportionally decrease
as its cross-sectional area increases.

Also by doubling the area and therefore halving the total resistance of the
conductor branch (1/2𝑅), for the same current, i to flow through the
parallel conductor branch as before we only need half (decrease) the
applied voltage as now 𝐼 = ( 1 / 2 𝑉)/(1/2𝑅).

The resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to the length (𝐿) of

the conductor, that is: 𝑅 ∝ 𝐿, and inversely proportional to its area (𝐴),
𝑅 ∝ 1 / 𝐴.

Electrical Conductivity

Electrical conductivity is simply defined as the inverse of resistivity,

so a high resistivity means a low conductivity, and a low resistivity means a high
conductivity. Mathematically, the conductivity of a material is represented
by:

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 1 where:
𝝈=
𝝆 𝝆 = 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝝈 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚

where 𝝈 istheconductivityand𝝆 istheresistivity,asbefore.Ofcourse,youcanre-arrangetheequationfor

resistance to express this in terms of the resistance, 𝑅, cross-sectional area
𝐴 of the conductor and the length 𝐿, depending on the problem.

Sample Problem 4: Calculating Resistor Diameter: A Headlight Filament

A car headlight filament is made of tungsten and has a cold
resistance of 0.350 Ω. If the filament is a cylinder 5.00 cm long (it may be
coiled to save space), what is its diameter?

Strategy:

Let’s rearrange the equation 𝑅 = 𝝆 𝐿 𝐴 to find the cross-sectional area

of the 𝐴filament from the given information. Then its diameter can be found
by assuming is has a circular cross-section.

Solution:
The cross-sectional area, found by rearranging the expression for the
resistance of a cylinder given in = 𝝆 𝐿 , is 𝐴 = 𝝆 𝐿.
𝐴 𝑅

Substituting the given values, and taking 𝝆 from Table 1, results to

5. 00 × 10−2 𝑚
𝐴 = (5. 6 × 10−8Ω ∙ 𝑚) ( )
0. 350 Ω

𝑚
𝐴 = (5. 6 × 10 −8Ω ∙ 𝑚) (1. 4285714286 × 10 −1 )
Ω

𝐴 = 8. 0 × 10 −9 𝑚 2
The area of a circle is related to its diameter D by

𝜋𝐷 2
𝐴=
4
Solving for the diameter D, and substituting the value found for A, gives
1 1
𝐴 2 8. 0 × 10−9 𝑚 2 2 1
𝐷 = 2( ) = 2( ) = 2(2. 5477707006 × 10 −9𝑚 2)2
𝜋 3. 14
= 2(5. 047545 × 10 −5 𝑚)
𝐷 = 10. 1 ×
10−5𝑚
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Discussion:
The diameter is just a tenth of a millimeter. It is quoted to only two
digits, because 𝝆 is known to only two digits.

Temperature Dependence of Resistivity

The resistivity of a metallic conductor nearly always increases with

increasing temperature.

As 𝑇 increase, the ions of the conductor vibrate with greater

amplitude, making it easier for electrons to collide with an ion.

This will decrease drift velocity 𝑣 𝑑 and reduce the current 𝐼.

Over relatively small temperature changes (about 100ºC or less),

resistivity 𝝆 varies with temperature change ∆𝑇 as expressed in the following
equation

𝝆 = 𝝆0(1 + 𝛼∆𝑇)

where: 𝝆0 =the original resistivity

𝛼 = the temperature coefficient of resistivity
∆𝑇 = temperature change

Always remember that 𝛼 is positive for metals, meaning their resistivity

increases with temperature. Some alloys have been developed specifically
to have a small temperature dependence. Also note that 𝛼 is negative for
the semiconductors meaning that their resistivity 𝝆 decreases with increasing
temperature. They become better conductors at higher temperature,
because increased thermal agitation increases the number of free charges
available to carry current.

This property of decreasing resistivity 𝝆 with temperature is also related

to the type and amount of impurities present in the semiconductors. The
resistance of an object also depends on temperature since resistance 𝑅 0 is
directly proportional to resistivity 𝝆. For a cylinder we know 𝑅 = 𝝆 𝐿, and
𝐴
so, if
𝐿 and 𝐴 do not change greatly with temperature, 𝑅 will have the same
temperature dependence as 𝝆. Thus, the temperature dependence of the
resistance of an object is,

𝑅 = 𝑅 0 (1 + 𝛼∆𝑇)

Where 𝑅 0 is the original resistance and 𝑅 is the resistance after a

temperature change ∆𝑇.

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 Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/austincc-physics2/chapter/20-
3- resistance-and-resistivity/

Let’s try understanding the temperature dependence of resistivity

better by analyzing the sample problem on the next page.

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Sample Problem 2: Calculating Resistance: Hot-filament Resistance

Although caution must be used in applying 𝝆 = 𝝆𝟎(𝟏 + 𝜶∆𝑻) and

𝑹 = 𝑹𝟎(𝟏 + 𝜶∆𝑻) for temperature changes greater than 100ºC, for
Tungsten the equations work reasonably well for very large temperature
changes. What, then, is the resistance of tungsten filament in the
previous example if its temperature is increased from room temperature
(20ºC) to a typical operating temperature of 2850ºC? The original resistance
𝑹𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝛀.

Strategy:
We can directly use the equation 𝑹 = 𝑹𝟎(𝟏 + 𝜶∆𝑻), since the original
resistance of the filament was given to be 𝑹𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝛀 and the
temperature change ∆𝑻 = 𝟐𝟖𝟓𝟎℃ − 𝟐𝟎℃ = 𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟎℃.

Solution:

The hot resistance 𝑹 is obtained by entering known values into the

above equation:

𝑹 = 𝑹𝟎(𝟏 + 𝜶∆𝑻)
= (𝟎. 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝛀)[𝟏 + (𝟒. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑/℃)(𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟎℃)]
= 𝟒. 𝟖𝛀

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 Great work for reaching this far my
fellow scientist! Now let’s do some simple
post activity. Prepare the material, read,
and follow the procedures carefully and
answer the question.

PERFORMANCE TASK:

EXAMINING TINY DETAILS: FILAMENT OBSERVATIONS

Objective: Examine the flow of electricity in a filament of a light bulb.

Material: Light bulb

Procedure:
1. Find a light bulb with a filament (See
the sample picture at the right).
2. Look carefully at the filament and
describe its structure.

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answers on your

notebook/worksheet.

Questions:
1. Describe the structure of the filament inside the light bulb.
2. To what points is the filament connected?

VI. WHAT IHAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION/POST‒TEST:

MULTIPLECHOICE.
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on
your notebook/worksheet.

1. It is the movement of negative charges (electrons) opposite to

the direction of the electric field.
a. electron flow c. current flow
b. convention current d. current

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2. It behaves as if the positive charge carriers cause current flow.
a. drift velocity c. electron
b. conventional current flow
3. The current per unit cross-sectional area is called d. the
proton flow .
a. current flow c. drift velocity
b. current density d. temperature dependence
4. A in the direction of ̅𝐹→will result from the charged particle
moving in vacuum, in which after some time the charged particle
would be moving in that direction at high speed.
a. steady current c. steady acceleration
b. steady speed d. steady flow
5. A large lightning bolt had a 20,000-A current and moved
30.0 C of charge. What was its duration?
a. 2 ms c. 3 ms
b. 1.5 ms d. 2.5 ms
𝟼. It is any motion of charge from one region to another.
a. current c. electric circuit
b. drift velocity d. drift circuit
7. What is the current in milliamperes produced by the solar cells of a
pocket calculator through which 4.00 C of charge passes in 4.00 h?
a. 0.278 mA c. 0.176 mA
b. 0.479 ma d. 0.200 mA
8. It is the average velocity reached by charged particles, such
as electrons, in a material due to an electric field.
a. drift velocity c. electron
b. current velocity velocity
9. A 14-gauge copper wire has a diameter of 1.628
d. proton mm. What
velocity
magnitude current flows when the drift velocity is 1.00 mm/s?
((See Sample problem 3: Calculating Drift and Velocity in a
Common Wire for useful information.)
a. −2.78 × 101 𝐴 c. −2.78 × 109 𝐴
b. −1.78 × 101 𝐴 d. −2.50 × 101 𝐴
10.It is a conducting path that forms a closed loop in which charges
move.
a. current c. electric circuit
b. drift velocity d. drift circuit
11. Itisthereciprocalorinverseofresistivity.
a. resistivity c.
b. conductivity resistance
12. It is the resistance to the flow of an electric current d.
with some materials resisting
insulators
the current flow more than others.
a. insulators c. resistance
b. conductivity d. resistivity
13. It depends on the material of which the object is composed.
a. conductors c. resistance
b. conductivity d. resistivity

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14. A perfect conductor has resistivity.
a. large c. zero
b. medium d.
15.It is one of the factors wherein the electrical resistance between two
small
points can depend on.
a. Conductor’s length c. Conductor’s current
b. Conductor’s d. Conductor’s area
1𝟼. The amount of electrical current which flows is restricted by the
resistivity
present.
a. amount of resistivity c. amount of current
b. amount of resistance d. amount of conductivity
17.The longer the conductor (or wire), the is its electrical resistance.
a. smaller c.
b. greater larger
18. If we increase the conductor’s cross-sectional area, it’s d. equal will
resistance
.
a. increase c. does not change
b. decrease d. expand
19. What is the resistance of a 25.0-m-long piece of 12-gauge copper
wire having a 2.053-mm diameter?
a. 1.299 × 10−3Ω c. 1.299 × 103Ω
b. 2.299 × 10−3Ω d. 2.299 × 103Ω
20. If the 0.100-mm diameter tungsten filament in a light bulb is to have a resistance
of 0.300 Ω at 20ºC, how long should it be?
a. 4.31 × 10−18𝑚 c. 4.21 × 1018𝑚
b. 4.31 × 10 𝑚 18 d. 4.21 × 10−18𝑚

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