Electrical Resistivities Of The Elements (data Page)

Electrical Resistivity of the Elements (Data Page)

Electrical resistivity is a fundamental property that quantifies how strongly a given material opposes the flow of electric current. A low resistivity indicates a material that readily allows the flow of electric current. Electrical resistivity is commonly represented by the Greek letter ρ (rho). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the electrical resistivities of various elements, which is crucial for applications in electronics, electrical engineering, and materials science.

Overview

Electrical resistivity is typically measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m) in the International System of Units (SI). The resistivity of a material is influenced by its temperature, and in most cases, it increases with temperature. In this data page, the resistivities are provided at a standard temperature of 20°C (293 K) to facilitate comparison.

Table of Electrical Resistivities

Below is a table of electrical resistivities for selected elements at 20°C. The elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number.

Element	Symbol	Atomic Number	Resistivity (Ω·m)
Hydrogen	H	1	-
Helium	He	2	-
Lithium	Li	3	9.28×10^-8
Beryllium	Be	4	3.61×10^-8
...	...	...	...

Note: The dashes indicate elements that do not have a simple resistivity value due to their state at room temperature or lack of metallic character.

Factors Affecting Electrical Resistivity

Several factors can affect the electrical resistivity of a material, including:

- Temperature: As mentioned, resistivity generally increases with temperature in conductors due to increased lattice vibrations. - Alloying: Mixing a metal with other elements can significantly alter its resistivity. - Microstructure: The presence of impurities, grain boundaries, and other microstructural features can affect resistivity. - Phase changes: Changes in the crystal structure of a material can lead to variations in resistivity.

Applications

Understanding the electrical resistivities of elements is crucial for designing and optimizing a wide range of electrical and electronic devices. For instance, materials with low resistivity, such as copper (Cu) and silver (Ag), are commonly used in electrical wiring and components. On the other hand, materials with high resistivity, such as tungsten (W) and nickel (Ni), are used in heating elements and resistors.

See Also

- Conductivity (electrical) - Superconductivity - Semiconductor - Insulator (electricity)