The resistance of a conductor is \(19.8 \Omega\) at \(15.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(25.0 \Omega\) at \(85.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} .\) What is the temperature coefficient of resistance of the material?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The temperature coefficient of resistance of the material is approximately \(3.72 \times 10^{-3} \ \mathrm{K}^{-1}\).

Step by step solution

01

Identify the given values

We are given the resistances of the conductor at two temperatures: - \(R_1 = 19.8 \Omega\) at \(T_1 = 15.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) - \(R_2 = 25.0 \Omega\) at \(T_2 = 85.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\)
02

Convert the temperatures to Kelvin scale

To calculate the temperature coefficient of resistance, it is essential to use the Kelvin scale for temperature. The conversion from Celsius to Kelvin is as follows: \(K = ^{\circ}\mathrm{C} + 273.15\). So, the temperatures in Kelvin are: - \(T_1 = 15.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} + 273.15 = 288.15 \mathrm{K}\) - \(T_2 = 85.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} + 273.15 = 358.15 \mathrm{K}\)
03

Substitute the given values into the temperature coefficient of resistance formula

Now that we have the resistances and corresponding temperatures in Kelvin, we can calculate the temperature coefficient of resistance (\(\alpha\)) using the following formula: \(\alpha = \dfrac{(R_2 - R_1)}{R_1(T_2 - T_1)}\) Substitute the given values into the formula as follows: \(\alpha = \dfrac{(25.0 \Omega - 19.8 \Omega)}{19.8 \Omega(358.15 \mathrm{K} - 288.15 \mathrm{K})}\)
04

Simplify and solve for the temperature coefficient of resistance

First, simplify the equation: \(\alpha = \dfrac{5.2 \Omega}{19.8 \Omega(70 \mathrm{K})}\) Next, cancel out the units and solve for \(\alpha\): \(\alpha = \dfrac{5.2}{19.8 \times 70}\) \(\alpha \approx 3.72 \times 10^{-3} \ \mathrm{K}^{-1}\)
05

Write down the final answer

The temperature coefficient of resistance of the material is approximately \(3.72 \times 10^{-3} \ \mathrm{K}^{-1}\).

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