Difference Between Resistance and Resistivity

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Nov 13, 2024 04:54 PM IST

We know that electric currents pass through some materials but do we know that there are some materials that oppose the flow of Electric Current? This opposition is called Resistance While resistivity, on the other hand, is a material property that can give information on how much that material naturally opposes the flow of current for it in terms of its size and shape. But before we go any further, let’s see what resistance and resistivity are, how they are connected to length, area, and temperature, and why they are useful.

JEE Main 2025: Physics Formula | Study Materials | High Scoring Topics | Preparation Guide

JEE Main 2025: Syllabus | Sample Papers | Mock Tests | PYQs | Study Plan 100 Days

NEET 2025: Syllabus | High Scoring Topics | PYQs

This Story also Contains

What is Resistivity?
What is Resistance?
Difference Between Resistance and Resistivity

Difference Between Resistance and Resistivity

What is Resistivity?

Resistivity definition or Resistivity meaning - The resistivity of a substance is defined as the resistance of a cube of that substance with unit-length edges, with the assumption that current flows normally to opposite faces and is dispersed uniformly across them.

At a given temperature, electrical resistivity is defined as the electrical resistance per unit length and cross-sectional area.

The ohm metre (m) is the SI unit for electrical resistivity. The Greek letter $\rho$ rho is widely used to represent it. Resistivity has real-world implications.

The ability to use the proper materials in the right places in electrical and electronic components is dependent on the resistivity of materials.

Conductive materials, like those used in electrical and general connecting wires, must have a low level of resistance. This means that the wire's resistance will be low for a given cross-sectional area. Knowing the characteristics of a material, such as its resistivity, is essential for choosing the right one

Related Topics,

What is Resistance?

Resistance in an electrical circuit is the amount of resistance to current flow (also known as ohmic resistance or electrical resistance). Resistance in ohms is represented by the Greek letter omega (Ω).

"A quality of an electric circuit or a component of an electric circuit that converts electric energy into thermal energy in the presence of an opposing electric current is known as resistance."

The resistance of conducting material is determined to be— directly proportional to the material's length and inversely proportional to the material's cross-sectional area, depending on the material's nature and temperature.

Mathematically, the resistance of conducting material is given by;

$$
R=\rho \frac{L}{A}
$$

where:

$\quad R$ is the resistance,
$\quad \rho$ (rho) is the resistivity of the material, which depends on the material's nature and temperature,
$L$ is the length of the material,
$A$ is the cross-sectional area of the material.

When a potential difference is introduced to a conductor, current begins to flow or free electrons begin to move. The unbound electrons collide with the conductor's atoms and molecules as they move.

The passage of electrons or electric current is slowed due to collisions or obstructions. As a result, we can conclude that there is some resistance to electron or current flow. Thus, resistance refers to a substance's opposition to the flow of electric current. The greater the resistance, the greater the obstacle to current flow.

Unit of Electrical Resistance

The electrical resistance is measured in ohms $(\Omega)$, The ohm unit is named after Georg Simon Ohm, a great German physicist and mathematician.

Also, check-

JEE Main Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics

Just Study 40% Syllabus and Score upto 100%

Download E-book

Difference Between Resistance and Resistivity

Understanding the differences between resistance and resistivity is an essential component of physics education. Furthermore, the movement of free electrons is a significant distinction between resistance and resistivity. In addition, resistance is a property that prevents free electrons from flowing freely. Resistivity, on the other hand, is a property of any substance that describes its resistance in a specific dimension. Knowing the concept or Difference between Resistance and resistivity will help you deal with more complicated electrical topics.

Resistance	Resistivity
The physical property of a substance that opposes the flow of current, i.e. electrons, is called resistance.	Resistivity is a physical property of a certain substance that has specific dimensions.
Resistance is related to both length and temperature, but is inversely proportional to the material's cross-sectional area.	The nature and temperature of a material's resistivity are only proportionate to one another.
Temperature, Length, and Conductor Cross-Sectional Area Effect resistance	Temperature effect Resistivity
$\begin{aligned} & R=\rho(L / A) \\ & \rho=\text { Resistivity }\end{aligned}$	$$ \rho=(R \times A) / L $$ Here: R = Resistance; L= Length; $A=$ Cross-sectional area
Ohms is the SI unit of resistance.	Ohms-meter is the SI unit for resistivity.
The resistance property is applied in a variety of applications, including heaters, fuses, and sensors.	For calcareous soil, electrical resistivity measurement is used as a quality control test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does "resistance" mean?

Resistance is a measure of resistance to current passage in an electrical circuit. Furthermore, resistance occurs because the journey from one terminal to the next is not direct. Instead, an electron travels in a zigzag pattern. As a result, the electrons' mobility is hampered.

2. What is resistivity class 10 or What is resistivity definition class 10 and how does it work?

Resistivity is a basic measurement of an object's resistance to the conduction of electricity in a certain dimension. Additionally, items with lower resistivities will have less resistance to electric flow. High resistivity objects, on the other hand, are poor conductors.

3. Is resistivity significant in deciding resistance?

The resistivity of a material, as well as its size and shape, influence its resistance.

4. Is the resistance proportional to the resistivity?

Yes, when the resistivity of a thing increases, so does the resistance. The flow of charges in a conductor is opposed by resistance. Resistance is proportional to the conductor's length and area. The resistance is measured in ohms.

5. What influences the resistance and resistivity of a material?

Temperature, wire length, cross-sectional area, and material nature are all factors that affect resistance. Free electrons move across conductive materials and occasionally clash with atoms when current flows through them. Temperature affects Resistivity.