Q.Why are alloys used for making standard resistance coils?
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Temperature Dependence of Resistance
Imagine you're trying to walk through a crowded market. When the market is cool and calm, people move slowly and you can weave through easily. Now imagine the same market on a hot, chaotic day — everyone is jostling, moving faster, bumping into each other. Getting from one end to the other becomes much harder.
That's exactly what happens inside a metal wire when you heat it up.
The Intuition
In a metal, electric current is carried by free electrons drifting through a fixed lattice of positive ions. At room temperature, these ions are vibrating slightly around their positions. When you heat the metal, the ions vibrate more vigorously — they shake faster and with larger amplitude.
Think of the vibrating ions as a row of swinging doors. At low temperature, the doors barely move, so electrons slip through easily. At high temperature, the doors swing wildly, and electrons get knocked off course constantly. Each collision with a vibrating ion scatters the electron, making it harder for the current to flow.
The result: resistance increases as temperature increases — for most conductors.
The Precise Statement
For a metallic conductor over a moderate temperature range (not too close to absolute zero), the resistance changes linearly with temperature:
R(T)=R0[1+α(T−T0)]
Where:
- R(T) is the resistance at temperature T
- R0 is the resistance at a reference temperature T0 (often 0∘C or 20∘C)
- α is the temperature coefficient of resistance (units: per °C or per K)
R=R0(1+αΔT)
The coefficient α tells you how sensitive the material is to temperature changes. For copper, α≈0.0039/∘C — meaning for every 1°C rise, resistance increases by about 0.39%.
What About Other Materials?
Not everything behaves like metals.
Semiconductors (like silicon, germanium) do the opposite: their resistance decreases sharply as temperature rises. Why? Because heating frees more electrons from their bonds, creating many more charge carriers. Even though the lattice vibrates more, the huge increase in available carriers overwhelms that effect, so resistance drops.
Insulators also show decreasing resistance with temperature, but the effect is much smaller than in semiconductors.
Alloys like constantan (copper-nickel) have a very small α — their resistance barely changes with temperature. This is useful for making precision resistors that stay stable.
Superconductors are a special case: below a critical temperature, resistance drops to exactly zero. …
Why this formula?
Temperature Dependence of Resistance — Why the Formula Holds
Let’s build this from the ground up. The key formula you’ll see in exams is:
RT=R0(1+αT)
But why does resistance change with temperature? It’s not magic — it’s about what happens inside the wire.
1. What determines resistance?
Resistance R of a conductor depends on three things:
- Length L (longer → more resistance)
- Cross-sectional area A (thicker → less resistance)
- Resistivity ρ — a material property
The formula is:
R=ρAL
When temperature changes, L and A change very slightly (thermal expansion), but the big effect is on ρ.
2. Why does resistivity change with temperature?
Resistivity ρ depends on how easily electrons can move through the material.
- In metals: Atoms vibrate more as temperature rises. These vibrations scatter electrons, making it harder for them to flow. So ρ increases.
- In semiconductors: More electrons get enough energy to jump into the conduction band. So ρ decreases.
For most metals (and many conductors), the change is linear over a moderate temperature range.
3. Deriving the linear formula
Let ρ0 be resistivity at a reference temperature T0 (often 0∘C or 20∘C).
For a small change ΔT=T−T0, the change in resistivity is proportional to ΔT and to ρ0:
Δρ∝ρ0ΔT
Introduce the temperature coefficient of resistivity α:
Δρ=αρ0ΔT
So the new resistivity is:
ρ=ρ0+Δρ=ρ0(1+αΔT)
Now, since R=ρAL, and L and A change negligibly (for small ΔT), we get:
R=ρAL=ρ0(1+αΔT)AL=R0(1+αΔT)
That’s the formula:
RT=R0(1+αΔT)
Where:
- RT = resistance at temperature T
- R0 = resistance at reference temperature T0
- α = temperature coefficient of resistance (unit: ∘C−1 or K−1)
- ΔT=T−T0
--- …
Concept: Temperature Dependence of Resistance
The resistance of a material changes with temperature according to RT=R0(1+αΔT), where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance.
- For a standard resistance coil, the resistance must remain nearly constant over a range of operating temperatures.
- Alloys like constantan or manganin have a very low temperature coefficient of resistance (α≈10−5°C−1), meaning their resistance changes negligibly with temperature. …
Alloys are used for standard resistance coils because their resistivity has a very low temperature coefficient, meaning the resistance remains nearly constant over a wide range of temperatures — ensuring precision and stability in measurements.
The key idea here is temperature dependence of resistance. For any conductor, resistance changes with temperature according to the relation:
RT=R0(1+αΔT)
where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance. A large α means resistance fluctuates significantly with temperature — disastrous for a standard coil that must give the same value regardless of the weather or how long the circuit has been running.
Standard resistance coils are used in precision instruments like metre bridges, potentiometers, and Wheatstone bridges. If the coil's resistance drifts with ambient temperature, every measurement becomes unreliable. So we need a material where α is as close to zero as possible.
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Pure metals have high α — Copper, silver, and aluminium have α≈0.0039 per ∘C. That means a 10∘C rise changes resistance by nearly 4%. Unacceptable for a standard.
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Alloys like constantan and manganin have very low α — Constantan (copper-nickel) has α≈1×10−5 per ∘C, about 400 times smaller than copper. Manganin (copper-manganese-nickel) is even better, with α near zero and also a very low thermoelectric emf against copper (important to avoid spurious voltages). …
Method: Choosing a Material to Satisfy a Stability Requirement
Use this method for questions asking why a specific material (often an alloy) is chosen for a precision/reference component, where the key requirement is that some property stays CONSTANT under changing conditions (temperature, time, etc.), rather than being large or small in absolute terms.
Steps
Step 1: State the stability requirement precisely, using a formula.
A "standard" component must give the SAME reading regardless of ambient conditions. For resistance, this requirement is: the temperature coefficient
α=R01dTdR
must be as close to zero as possible — not that R itself is large or small.
Step 2: Show why the "obvious" choice (pure metal) fails the requirement.
Pure metals conduct well but have a relatively large α (electron scattering is dominated by lattice vibrations/phonons, which grow strongly with T) — good for wires, bad for a value that must not drift.
Step 3: Identify the physical mechanism that makes an alternative material satisfy the requirement. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.The voltage - current graph for a metal wire of uniform area of cross section at two different temp T and T′ is shown. Then choose the correct statement: (A) Resistivity is independent of temperature (B) Resistance of the conductor at temperature T is greater than resistance of the conductor at temperature T′ (C) Temperature T′ is greater than temperature T (D) Temperature T is greater than temperature T′
›Reveal solutionSolution
The slope of the I–V graph is the conductance (1/R). A steeper slope means lower resistance. Since resistance increases with temperature for a metal, the steeper line (T) corresponds to a lower temperature, so T < T′.
Concept & Intuition
For a metallic conductor obeying Ohm’s law, the current I is proportional to the applied voltage V:
I=RV
Thus the slope of the I–V graph is 1/R, the conductance. A steeper line means a larger slope → smaller resistance.
Metals have a positive temperature coefficient: resistance increases as temperature rises. So if one line is steeper (lower resistance), that wire must be at a lower temperature. The problem shows two lines through the origin: the steeper line is labelled T, the shallower line is labelled T′. At the same voltage, the steeper line gives a larger current, confirming its lower resistance.
Step-by-step reasoning
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Interpret the graph
Both lines are straight through the origin, so Ohm’s law holds. The slope of each line is VI=R1. The line labelled T has a larger slope than the line labelled T′.
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Relate slope to resistance
Larger slope → smaller resistance. Hence
RT<RT′
The conductor at temperature T has lower resistance than at temperature T′.
- Temperature dependence of resistance in metals For a metal, resistance increases with temperature (positive temperature coefficient). So lower resistance means lower temperature. Therefore T<T′ …
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- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.A wire of length 1 m has a resistance of 20Ω at 0∘C. It is uniformly stretched so that its length increases by 21%. Assuming the volume of the wire remains constant, the percentage change in resistance is n%. Alternatively, if the wire is heated [without stretching] through a temperature of 27∘C and if the temperature coefficient of resistance of the material of wire is 0.004K−1, the percentage change in resistance is m%. The values of m and n are: (A) 2.08 and 1.64 (B) 10.8 and 46.4 (C) 20.8 and 16.4 (D) 1.08 and 4.64
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem asks for the percentage change in resistance due to stretching (volume constant) and due to heating (temperature coefficient given). For stretching, resistance changes as the square of length, giving n=46.4%. For heating, resistance changes linearly with temperature, giving m=10.8%. The correct option is (B).
Concept & Intuition
Resistance of a wire depends on its geometry and material resistivity.
- When you stretch a wire uniformly at constant volume, its length increases and its cross-sectional area decreases. Since R=ρAL and volume V=AL is constant, A∝1/L, so R∝L2. A small percentage change in length leads to a much larger percentage change in resistance.
- When you heat a wire without stretching, only the resistivity changes (geometry changes negligibly). The resistance change is directly proportional to the temperature change via the temperature coefficient of resistance.
We compute each case separately.
Step-by-step solution
- Stretching case (constant volume) Initial length L0=1m, initial resistance R0=20Ω. Length increases by 21%, so new length L=L0×(1+0.21)=1.21L0. Volume constant: A0L0=AL ⇒ A=A0LL0=1.21A0. New resistance:
R=ρAL=ρA0/1.211.21L0=ρA0L0×(1.21)2=R0×(1.21)2.
So R=20×1.4641=29.282Ω.
Percentage change:
n=R0R−R0×100=(1.212−1)×100=(1.4641−1)×100=46.41%.
Thus n≈46.4%.
- Heating case (no stretching) …
- KCET 2026Set C21 markMCQQ.Given below are two statements: Statement I: The resistivity of a conductor is independent of its temperature Statement II: The resistivity of a semiconductor decreases with increase in temperature Select the correct option. (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are false (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are true (C) Statement I is true but Statement II is false (D) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
›Reveal solutionSolution
Resistivity of a conductor rises with temperature (more lattice collisions reduce the relaxation time τ), while resistivity of a semiconductor falls with temperature (more thermally-generated charge carriers dominate over the reduced relaxation time).
Step 1 — Examine Statement I (conductor)
For a conductor, resistivity is given by ρ=ne2τm, where n (free-electron density) stays essentially constant but the relaxation time τ decreases as temperature rises (more frequent collisions with vibrating lattice ions). Hence ρ increases with temperature — it is NOT independent of temperature. Statement I is false.
Step 2 — Examine Statement II (semiconductor) …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.The resistance of a heating element is found to be 120Ω at room temperature which is 20∘C. If the temperature coefficient of the material of the resistor is 1.6×10−4C−1 and the resistance is found to be 160Ω, the temperature of the element is: (A) 1203∘C (B) 2083∘C (C) 2310∘C (D) 2013∘C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the linear resistance–temperature relation RT=R0(1+αΔT), we solve for the temperature change and add it to the reference temperature. The final temperature is 2083∘C, so the correct option is (B).
The key idea is that for most metals, resistance increases approximately linearly with temperature over a wide range. The formula RT=R0(1+αΔT) directly connects the change in resistance to the change in temperature, where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance. Here we know R0, RT, and α, so we can solve for ΔT and then find the actual temperature.
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Identify the known quantities
- Reference temperature: T0=20∘C
- Resistance at T0: R0=120Ω
- Resistance at unknown temperature T: RT=160Ω
- Temperature coefficient: α=1.6×10−4C−1
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Write the resistance–temperature relation
The standard formula is:
RT=R0[1+α(T−T0)]
This assumes α is constant over the temperature range, which is a good approximation here.
- Solve for the temperature change ΔT=T−T0 Rearranging:
R0RT=1+αΔT
αΔT=R0RT−1
ΔT=α1(R0RT−1)
- Plug in the numbers
R0RT=120160=34≈1.3333
R0RT−1=34−1=31
ΔT=1.6×10−41×31
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- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.The resistance of a wire is 5 ohm at 25∘C and 7 ohm at 100∘C. The resistance of the wire at 0∘C is (A) 313ohm (B) 35ohm (C) 32 ohm (D) 0.1 ohm
›Reveal solutionSolution
The resistance of a metal wire changes linearly with temperature (over moderate ranges). Using the two given data points to find the temperature coefficient and then extrapolating back to 0°C gives a resistance of 313 ohm, which corresponds to option (A).
Concept & Intuition
For most metals, resistance increases approximately linearly with temperature over a limited range. This is described by the formula
RT=R0(1+αT)
where RT is resistance at temperature T (in °C), R0 is resistance at 0°C, and α is the temperature coefficient of resistance.
We are given two points: (25∘C,5Ω) and (100∘C,7Ω). We can use these to solve for R0 and α, then read off the answer directly.
Step-by-step solution
- Set up the linear relation Let R0 be the resistance at 0∘C. Then at any temperature T (in °C):
RT=R0(1+αT)
This is a straight line with intercept R0 and slope R0α.
- Write equations for the two given points At T=25∘C:
5=R0(1+25α)(1)
At T=100∘C:
7=R0(1+100α)(2)
- Eliminate R0 by dividing the equations Divide (2) by (1):
57=1+25α1+100α
Cross-multiply:
7(1+25α)=5(1+100α)
7+175α=5+500α
2=325α
α=3252(per ∘C)
- Find R0 using equation (1) Substitute α back: 5=R0(1+25⋅3252)=R0(1+32550)=R0(1+132) …
- KCET 2024Set D-21 markMCQQ.The I–V graph for a conductor at two different temperatures 100∘C and 400∘C is as shown in the figure. The temperature coefficient of resistance of the conductor is about (in per degree Celsius)
(A) 3×10−3 (B) 6×10−3 (C) 9×10−3 (D) 12×10−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Read each resistance off the graph as the reciprocal of the line's slope, then put the two (R,T) pairs into the temperature-coefficient formula.
Step 1 — What the graph's slope means
For an ohmic conductor V=IR, so plotting I (vertical) against V (horizontal) gives a straight line through the origin with
slope=VI=R1⟹R=slope1
Since the angles are measured from the V-axis (the horizontal axis), slope =tanθ and therefore
R∝cotθ
A steeper line (bigger θ) means a smaller resistance.
Step 2 — Assign each line to its temperature
- θ=45∘: R∝cot45∘=1
- θ=30∘: R∝cot30∘=3≈1.732
For a conductor, resistance increases with temperature (more lattice vibrations → more scattering of electrons → shorter relaxation time). So the larger resistance must belong to the higher temperature:
R1=1 (at T1=100∘C),R2=3 (at T2=400∘C)
Step 3 — Apply the temperature coefficient of resistance
Taking R1 as the reference resistance over the interval ΔT=T2−T1=300∘C:
R2=R1[1+αΔT]⟹α=R1ΔTR2−R1 …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.The resistance of a wire at room temperature 20∘C is found to be 10Ω. If resistance of the wire increases by 10%, then the temperature of the wire will be (The temperature coefficient of the material of the wire is 0.002/∘C) (A) 520C (B) 220C (C) 620C (D) 720C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem uses the linear temperature dependence of resistance: R=R0(1+αΔT). Given a 10% increase in resistance, we solve for the new temperature. The final temperature is 70∘C above room temperature, so the answer is 72∘C.
Concept & Intuition
For most metals, resistance increases nearly linearly with temperature over modest ranges. The formula R=R0(1+αΔT) captures this: R0 is the resistance at a reference temperature, α is the temperature coefficient (fractional change per degree), and ΔT is the temperature change. Here, a 10% increase means R=1.1R0. We simply plug in and solve for the new temperature.
Step-by-step solution
-
Identify given values
- Initial resistance at 20∘C: R0=10Ω
- Resistance increases by 10%, so final resistance: R=10Ω×1.10=11Ω
- Temperature coefficient: α=0.002/∘C
- Initial temperature: T0=20∘C
-
Write the resistance-temperature relation
R=R0[1+α(T−T0)]
Here T is the final temperature we need.
- Substitute known values
11=10[1+0.002(T−20)]
- Solve for T−20 Divide both sides by 10:
1.1=1+0.002(T−20)
Subtract 1:
0.1=0.002(T−20) …
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- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.The current through a conductor is 'a' when the temperature is 0∘C. It is 'b' when the temperature is 100∘C. The current through the conductor at 220∘C is (A) 11b−6a5ab (B) 6a−11b5ab (C) 11a−6b5ab (D) 5a−6b11ab
›Reveal solutionSolution
The current changes with temperature due to a linear change in resistance; using the temperature coefficient of resistance and the given currents at 0°C and 100°C, the current at 220°C is found to be 6a−11b5ab, which corresponds to option (B).
The key idea is that the conductor’s resistance changes linearly with temperature (over a moderate range). Since the voltage across the conductor is constant (implied by the problem’s setup), the current is inversely proportional to resistance. We can use the two given current values to find the temperature coefficient of resistance, then compute the current at 220°C.
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Relate current and resistance
If the voltage V is constant, then I=V/R. At 0°C, current I0=a and resistance R0=V/a. At 100°C, current I100=b and resistance R100=V/b.
-
Use the linear resistance-temperature relation
For most conductors, Rt=R0(1+αt), where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance.
At t=100∘C:
R100=R0(1+100α)
Substitute R100=V/b and R0=V/a:
bV=aV(1+100α)
Cancel V (nonzero):
b1=a1(1+100α)
Solve for α:
1+100α=ba⇒100α=ba−1=ba−b
α=100ba−b
- Find resistance at 220°C
R220=R0(1+220α)=aV(1+220⋅100ba−b)
Simplify the bracket:
1+100b220(a−b)=1+5b11(a−b)=5b5b+11a−11b=5b11a−6b
So:
R220=aV⋅5b11a−6b
- Compute current at 220°C
I220=R220V=V÷(aV⋅5b11a−6b)=11a−6ba⋅5b
That is:
I220=11a−6b5ab
But note: The denominator is 11a−6b. However, looking at the options, (B) is 6a−11b5ab. These are not the same unless we check sign. Since current decreases as temperature rises (for a metal), we expect b<a, so 11a−6b>0 and 6a−11b>0 as well? Let’s check: If a>b, then 6a−11b could be positive or negative depending on values. But the expression we derived is correct algebraically. Let’s re-check the algebra carefully.
Actually, from step 2:
b1=a1(1+100α)⇒1+100α=ba⇒α=100a/b−1=100ba−b
That’s fine.
Then at 220°C:
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- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.On increasing the temperature of a conductor, its resistance increases because (A) Electron density decreases (B) Relaxation time increases (C) Number of collisions between electrons decreases (D) Relaxation time decreases
›Reveal solutionSolution
The resistance of a conductor increases with temperature because the relaxation time (average time between electron collisions) decreases, making it harder for electrons to drift. The correct option is (D).
The key concept here is relaxation time (τ), which is the average time an electron travels freely between collisions with lattice ions. Resistance R is inversely proportional to τ:
R∝τ1
When temperature rises, lattice ions vibrate more vigorously, increasing the chance of electron-ion collisions. This reduces the relaxation time, thereby increasing resistance. Let’s examine each option.
-
Option (A): Electron density decreases
Electron density (number of free electrons per unit volume) in a conductor is essentially constant with temperature — it depends on the material’s atomic structure, not on thermal agitation. So this is false.
-
Option (B): Relaxation time increases
If relaxation time increased, electrons would travel longer between collisions, making conduction easier and resistance lower. But we know resistance rises with temperature, so this is the opposite of what happens.
-
Option (C): Number of collisions between electrons decreases
Fewer collisions would mean less obstruction to electron flow, again lowering resistance. In reality, more collisions occur at higher temperatures, so this is incorrect.
-
Option (D): Relaxation time decreases …
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- KCET 2023Set A-31 markMCQQ.A radioactive sample has half-life of 3 years. The time required for the activity of the sample to reduce to 51th of its initial value is about (A) 7 years (B) 15 years (C) 5 years (D) 10 years
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve (21)t/T=51 for t, i.e. t=Tln2ln5.
Step 1 — The law.
Activity falls with the same exponential law as the number of nuclei (since A=λN):
A(t)=A0e−λt=A0(21)t/T1/2,
where T1/2=3 years. Using the half-life form avoids ever having to compute λ.
Step 2 — Impose the required drop.
We want A0A=51:
(21)t/3=51.
Step 3 — Take logarithms.
3tln21=ln51 ⟹ 3t=ln2ln5=0.6931.609=2.322. …
- KCET 2023Set A-31 markMCQQ.For a given electric current the drift velocity of conduction electrons in a copper wire is vd and their mobility is μ. When the current is increased at constant temperature (A) vd remains the same, μ increases (B) vd decreases, μ remains the same (C) vd remains the same, μ decreases (D) vd increases, μ remains the same
›Reveal solutionSolution
I=neAvd makes vd∝I; but μ=eτ/m is a material property fixed by temperature, so it does not change.
Step 1 — Drift velocity.
The current in a metal is carried by electrons drifting with speed vd:
I=neAvd⟹vd=neAI.
For a given copper wire, the free-electron density n, the electronic charge e and the cross-section A are all fixed. Hence
vd∝I.
Increase the current and the drift velocity increases proportionally. (This must be so — the drift of charge is the current.)
Step 2 — Mobility.
Mobility is defined as drift velocity per unit applied field:
μ=Evd.
From the Drude picture, vd=meEτ, so
μ=meτ. …
- KCET 2022Set B-31 markMCQQ.A galvanometer of resistance 50Ω is connected to a battery of 3 V along with a resistance 2950Ω in series. A full scale deflection of 30 divisions is obtained in the galvanometer. In order to reduce this deflection to 20 divisions, the resistance in series should be (A) 5050Ω (B) 4450Ω (C) 6050Ω (D) 5550Ω
›Reveal solutionSolution
Deflection ∝ current, so scale the current down in the ratio 20/30, find the new total circuit resistance from Ohm's law, and subtract the galvanometer's own 50 Ω.
Step 1 — The key physical fact.
In a moving-coil galvanometer the deflection is directly proportional to the current through the coil:
θ=(kNAB)I⟹θ∝I.
So fewer divisions simply means proportionally less current.
Step 2 — Current for full-scale (30 divisions).
The galvanometer (G=50 Ω) and the series resistance (R1=2950 Ω) are in series across the 3 V battery:
I1=G+R1E=50+29503=30003=1×10−3 A=1 mA.
So the galvanometer's full-scale (30 div) current is 1 mA, i.e. its figure of merit is
30 div1 mA=301 mA/div.
Step 3 — Current needed for 20 divisions.
I2=I1×3020=1 mA×32=32 mA=6.67×10−4 A.
Step 4 — New total resistance.
The emf is unchanged at 3 V, so by Ohm's law the whole loop must now present
Rtotal=I2E=32×10−33=23×3×103=4500 Ω. …
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