A wire of length 100 cm has a resistance of 10\(\Omega\). If its cross-sectional area is 0.005cm2, determine its resistivity
Answer Details
The resistivity (\(\rho\)) of a material is a measure of how resistant the material is to the flow of an electric current through it. It is defined as the resistance (\(R\)) of a conductor of unit length (\(l\)) and unit cross-sectional area (\(A\)). The formula for resistivity is: \(\rho = RA/l\). We are given the length (\(l\)) of the wire as 100 cm, its resistance (\(R\)) as 10\(\Omega\), and its cross-sectional area (\(A\)) as 0.005cm2. To find the resistivity (\(\rho\)), we rearrange the formula as \(\rho = RA/l\). Substituting the values we have, we get: \(\rho = (10\Omega)(0.005cm^2)/100cm = 0.0005\Omega cm\). Therefore, the resistivity of the wire is 0.0005\(\Omega\)cm. The correct option is (a).