Resistivity of Silver
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| Bibliographic Entry | Result (w/surrounding text) |
Standardized Result |
|---|---|---|
| Lazar, Miriam. Lets Review: Physics, the Physical Setting. Third edition. United States: Barrons, 2007: 217. | "Substance: Silver Resistivity (m at 20° C): 1.59 × 10−8" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Considine, Glenn D. & Kulik, Peter H. Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia. Tenth edition, Third volume, New Jersey: Wiley, 2008: 450 | "Resistivities of some common materials (in Ohm-centimeters at 20° C) Silver: 1.63 |
1.63 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Pierson J.F, Rolin, E; Clement-Gendarme, C; Petitjean, C; Horwat, D. Effect of the oxygen flow rate on the structure and properties of Ag-Cu-O sputtered films deposited using a Ag/Cu target with eutectic composition. Applied Surface Science. Article in Press, Corrected Proof. April 2008. | "This value is very high compared to those of pure copper (1.67 μΩ cm) [17] or pure silver (1.59 μΩ cm)." | 1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Weast, Robert C. & Shelby, Samuel M. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 48th edition, Ohio: The Chemical Rubber Co. 1967-1968: F-132. | "Electrical resistivity and temperature coefficients of elements. Silver: temperature: 20° C, 1.59 microhm-cm" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics. New York State Department of Education, 2006: 4. | "Resistivities at 20 °C Silver: 1.59 × 10−8 Ωm" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
Silver (Ag) is a ductile, malleable, white metal, found in Group I B on the periodic table of elements. Silver is a transition element, meaning that its valence electrons are present in more than one shell. This aspect of the element produces numerous oxidation states.
The resistivity of a material is a measurement of its opposition to an electric current. In an electric circuit, the greater the resistance to the flow of electrons, the weaker the electric current will be. Likewise, the smaller the resistance within the circuit, the greater the electric current.
Resistivity is represented by ρ, the Greek letter "rho", and is measured in Ohm-meters (Ω m). Resistivity is found using the equation:
ρ = RA/ℓ
R is the resistance of the sample, A is its cross sectional area, and ℓ is its length. Resistivity has to be stated along with the temperature because the resistivity of a material is often directly proportional to its temperature.
ρ ∝ T
The resistivity of silver is about 1.59 × 10−8 Ωm at 20 degrees Celsius. This tiny amount means that silver cannot resist the flow of electrons very well. Because resistivity is also inversely proportional to the conductivity of a substance, silver is an excellent conductor. Conductors normally have low resistances and carry currents very easily. Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and can therefore used in circuit boards, batteries, generators, transformers, transmission, and any form of wiring that is needed. However, silver is very expensive, and thus only has special uses.
Margarita Lungin -- 2008
| Bibliographic Entry | Result (w/surrounding text) |
Standardized Result |
|---|---|---|
| Calvert, James. Copper, Silver, and Gold. University of Denver. 2002. | "The electrical resistivity of silver is 1.62 μΩ-cm and the temperature coefficient is 0.0038 per °C" | 1.62 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Electrical Resistivity of Materials. Reade Advanced Materials. | "Resistivity in ohm-meters Metals: Silver - 1.59e^-8" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Conductivity of Metals Sorted by Resistivity. Eddy Current Technology Incorporated. 1955 | "Silver, Pure Resistivity (ohm-m) - 1.591E-08" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
| Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics. New York State Department of Education, 2002 | "Resistivities at 20 °C Silver - 1.59 × 10−8 Ωm" |
1.59 × 10−8 Ωm |
Resistivity is a characteristic of a material that determines the ability of the material to oppose a flow of electrons, or electricity. Resistivity is expressed by the Greek letter rho, ρ, and is a key factor in determining the resistance of a uniform specimen in an electric circuit (R = ρl/A, with ℓ representing a length and A representing a cross sectional area). Resistivity is measured in ohm·meters (Ωm).
Silver is number 47 on the periodic table of the elements. A transition metal, silver, or Ag, is a white metal, with excellent reflectivity. It is also very durable and resistant to corrosion thus making it ideal as one of the earliest and, most enduring, forms of currency.
The resistivity of silver is 1.6 × 10−8 Ωm (0.000000016 Ωm). This is number is a very small number. This means that silver has a small capability of resisting electrical current. With its small natural tendency to resist electricity, it has a very high tendency to conduct electricity. This would make silver an ideal material to use for wiring or other insulation devices. It is even superior to the standard copper wires, which have a resistivity slightly higher than silver (1.7 × 10−8 Ωm).
George Bauer -- 2004