Chapter 10, Problem 10RQ

Which has the greater resistance, a thick wire or thin wire for same length?

To determine

To detremine: The greater resistance between the thick wire or thin wire of the same length.

Answer to Problem 10RQ

The thin wire has greater resistance than the thick wire of same length due to less crossectional area of the thin wire than thick wire.

Explanation of Solution

The property of the material that opposes the flow of charge in the material is called resistance. It depends on the length, area of cross-section and temperature of the wire. The resistance is directly related to the length and inversely related to the area of the wire.

The length of the thin wire and thick wire is same, so the resistance of the wires does not vary due to the same length of the wire.

The crossectional area of the thick wire is more than the thin wire, so the resistance of the thin wire is more than the resistance of a thick wire.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the thin wire has greater resistance than the thick wire of same length due to less crossectional area of the thin wire than thick wire.