Definition of Specific Resistance

Specific resistance, also known as resistivity, is a property of a material that measures its resistance to electrical current flow. It is different from resistance in the following ways:

• Specific resistance is an intrinsic property of a material, while resistance depends on the dimensions of the conductor.
• The unit of specific resistance is ohm-meter (Ω·m), whereas resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
• Specific resistance is independent of the size and shape of the material, while resistance varies with length and cross-sectional area.

The formula for specific resistance is: ρ = RA/L, where ρ is specific resistance, R is resistance, A is cross-sectional area, and L is length.