1. What is Conductivity?

Conductivity (σ) is the reciprocal of resistivity (ρ) and measures a material's ability to conduct electric current. It quantifies how easily electric charge can flow through a material when subjected to an electric field.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental electrical relationship:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Conductivity (Siemens per meter, S/m)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity (Ohm-meters, Ω·m)

Explanation: Conductivity and resistivity are inverse properties - materials with high resistivity have low conductivity, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Conductivity Calculation

Details: Conductivity calculations are essential for material selection in electrical engineering, circuit design, semiconductor manufacturing, and understanding material properties for various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistivity value in ohm-meters (Ω·m). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding conductivity in siemens per meter (S/m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity and resistivity are reciprocal properties. Conductivity (σ) = 1 / Resistivity (ρ). They represent opposite aspects of a material's electrical behavior.

Q2: What are typical conductivity values for common materials?
A: Silver: ~6.3×10⁷ S/m, Copper: ~5.96×10⁷ S/m, Aluminum: ~3.5×10⁷ S/m, Sea Water: ~5 S/m, Glass: ~10⁻¹² S/m.

Q3: Why is conductivity important in material science?
A: Conductivity determines a material's suitability for electrical applications, helps classify materials as conductors, semiconductors, or insulators, and influences device performance.

Q4: How does temperature affect conductivity?
A: For metals, conductivity decreases with increasing temperature. For semiconductors, conductivity increases with temperature. The relationship follows specific temperature coefficients.

Q5: What units are used for conductivity and resistivity?
A: Conductivity is measured in Siemens per meter (S/m), while resistivity is measured in Ohm-meters (Ω·m). Both are SI units used in electrical engineering and physics.