Measure Of Conductivity: Conductivity

What is conductivity?

Conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct electricity. It is defined as the amount of electrical current that flows through a material when a voltage is applied across it. The conductivity of a material is determined by the number of free electrons available to carry the current, and by the mobility of these electrons.

The conductivity of a material is measured in units of siemens per meter (S/m). A material with a high conductivity will have a high value of siemens per meter, while a material with a low conductivity will have a low value of siemens per meter.

Factors that affect conductivity

There are a number of factors that can affect the conductivity of a material, including:

• Temperature: The conductivity of a material generally increases with increasing temperature. This is because the higher the temperature, the more free electrons are available to carry the current.
• Impurities: The presence of impurities in a material can decrease its conductivity. This is because impurities can block the flow of electrons.
• Crystal structure: The crystal structure of a material can also affect its conductivity. Materials with a regular crystal structure tend to have higher conductivities than materials with a disordered crystal structure.

Applications of conductivity

The conductivity of a material is an important property that can be used in a variety of applications, including:

• Electrical wires: The conductivity of electrical wires is an important factor in determining their efficiency. Wires with a high conductivity will be able to carry more current without losing too much voltage.
• Semiconductors: The conductivity of semiconductors is used to control the flow of current in electronic devices. Semiconductors with a high conductivity will be able to conduct more current, while semiconductors with a low conductivity will be able to conduct less current.
• Sensors: The conductivity of materials can be used to sense changes in temperature, pressure, and other environmental conditions.

Conclusion

Conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct electricity. It is an important property that can be used in a variety of applications. The conductivity of a material is determined by a number of factors, including temperature, impurities, and crystal structure.