Q.1: Differentiate between resistance and resistivity.
Resistance (R) Resistivity (ρ)
Definition: Measure of how strongly a material itself
Definition: Measure of how much an object
resists the flow of electric current, when size of
opposes the flow of electric current through it.
material is 1m3. (Area = 1m2 , Length=1m)
Symbol: R Symbol: ρ (rho)
Units: Ohms (Ω) Units: Ohm meter (Ω·m)
Formula: ρ=R⋅A / L (where R is resistance, A is
Formula: R=V / I
cross-sectional area, L is length)
Dependence: Depends on the dimensions Dependence: Depends only on the material and
(length, area) and material of the object. temperature, not on the shape or size.
Role: Determines how much current flows Role: Indicates how conductive or insulating a
through a specific object for a given voltage. material is.
Example: Resistance of a copper wire, a light Example: Resistivity of copper (low resistivity, good
bulb filament. conductor), rubber (high resistivity, poor conductor).
Key Point: Resistance is specific to an object's Key Point: Resistivity is a material property; it
size and shape; it varies with physical remains constant regardless of the object’s size or
dimensions. shape.
Q.2: Differentiate between conductance and conductivity
Conductance (G) Conductivity (σ)
Definition: Measure of how easily electric Definition: Measure of how easily electric current
current flows through a specific conductor or flows through a material in general, regardless of its
component. shape or size.
Symbol: G Symbol: σ (sigma)
Units: Siemens (S) Units: Siemens per meter (S/m)
Formula: G=1/R Formula: σ=1 / ρ
Dependence: Depends on the resistance of the Dependence: Depends solely on the material’s
specific object and its physical dimensions. inherent properties, not on its dimensions or shape.
Role: Measures how well a specific component Role: Measures the intrinsic ability of a material to
or conductor allows current to pass through it. conduct electricity.
Example: Conductivity of copper, aluminum, or
Example: Conductance of a wire or resistor.
other materials.
Key Point: Conductance is specific to the object Key Point: Conductivity is a fundamental property
and its resistance, and changes with physical of the material and remains constant regardless of the
dimensions. shape or size.
Q.3: Differentiate between conductivity and resistivity.
Conductivity (σ) Resistivity (ρ)
Definition: Measure of how easily electric current Definition: Measure of how strongly a material
flows through a material. resists the flow of electric current.
Symbol: σ (sigma) Symbol: ρ (rho)
Units: Siemens per meter (S/m) Units: Ohm meter (Ω·m)
Formula: σ=1 / ρ Formula: ρ=1 / σ
Dependence: Depends solely on the material’s Dependence: Depends solely on the material,
intrinsic properties. independent of its shape or size.
Role: Indicates how well a material conducts Role: Indicates how well a material resists
electricity. electrical conduction.
Example: Conductivity of metals like copper or Example: Resistivity of materials like rubber or
aluminum. glass.
Key Point: Higher conductivity indicates better Key Point: Higher resistivity indicates poorer
electrical conduction ability of a material. electrical conduction ability of a material.
Units Table:
Unit Equivalent in Base SI Other Equivalent
Property Symbol Primary Units
Symbol Units Units
Resistance R Ohms Ω V/A (Volt per Ampere) -
V·m/A (Volt meter per
Resistivity ρ Ohm meter Ω·m -
Ampere)
Conductance G Siemens S A/V (Ampere per Volt) mho, (Ω)-1
Siemens per A/(V·m) (Ampere per Volt
Conductivity σ S/m mho/m, (Ω·m)-1
meter meter)
