Matthiessen's ratio

Matthiessen's Ratio is a principle in Physics and Materials Science that describes the relationship between the electrical resistivity of a metal and its temperature. It was named after the British physicist Augustus Matthiessen, who first proposed the concept in the mid-19th century.

Overview

Matthiessen's Ratio states that the total resistivity (resistivity) of a metal is the sum of its temperature-independent resistivity and its temperature-dependent resistivity. This principle is often used in the study of superconductors and other materials with unique electrical properties.

Mathematical Representation

The mathematical representation of Matthiessen's Ratio is as follows:

ρ = ρ₀ + AT + BT²

where:

• ρ is the total resistivity
• ρ₀ is the temperature-independent resistivity
• A and B are constants
• T is the temperature

Applications

Matthiessen's Ratio is used in various fields of study, including Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, and Condensed Matter Physics. It is particularly useful in the study of superconductors, as it can help scientists understand the behavior of these materials at different temperatures.

See Also

• Electrical resistivity and conductivity
• Superconductivity
• Augustus Matthiessen