A wire of Nichrome (a nickel-chromium-iron alloy commonly used in heating elements) is 1.3 m long and 1.6 mm2 in cross-sectional area. It carries a current of 3.2 A when a 2.0 V potential difference is applied between its ends. Calculate the conductivity σ of Nichrome. / Ω · m

Question

Moody

Physics

8 January, 07:02

A wire of Nichrome (a nickel-chromium-iron alloy commonly used in heating elements) is 1.3 m long and 1.6 mm2 in cross-sectional area. It carries a current of 3.2 A when a 2.0 V potential difference is applied between its ends. Calculate the conductivity σ of Nichrome. / Ω · m

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Virginia Novak · Answer 1

Answer: 1.3 * 10^6 Ω*m

Explanation: In order to explain this problem we have to use the following expression for the resistence:

R=L / (σ*A) where L and A are the length and teh area for the wire, respectively. σ is the conductivity of teh Nichrome.

Then, from mteh OHM law we have V=R*I so R=V/I=2/3.2=0.625 Ω

Finally we have:

σ=L / (R*A) = 1.3 / (0.625*1.6*10^-6) = 1.3*10^6 Ω*m