What is the effect of temperature on electrical resistance?

The electrical resistance of a material increases with temperature.

When a current flows through a material, the electrons collide with the atoms in the material, causing resistance. At higher temperatures, the atoms vibrate more, which increases the likelihood of electron-atom collisions. This leads to an increase in resistance.

This effect is described by the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), which is the rate at which resistance changes with temperature. The TCR is positive for most materials, meaning that resistance increases with temperature. However, some materials, such as superconductors, have a negative TCR, meaning that their resistance decreases with temperature.

The TCR can be quantified using the formula:

TCR = (R2 - R1) / (R1 x (T2 - T1))

Where R1 and R2 are the resistances at temperatures T1 and T2, respectively.

The effect of temperature on resistance has important practical applications. For example, in electronic circuits, the resistance of components can change with temperature, which can affect the performance of the circuit. Temperature compensation techniques can be used to mitigate this effect.

In conclusion, the electrical resistance of a material increases with temperature due to increased electron-atom collisions. This effect is described by the temperature coefficient of resistance, which is positive for most materials. Temperature compensation techniques can be used to mitigate the effect of temperature on resistance in electronic circuits.