1. What is the Conductivity Equation?

The conductivity equation (κ = 1/ρ) defines the relationship between electrical conductivity (κ) and resistivity (ρ) of a material. It provides a fundamental measure of a material's ability to conduct electric current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conductivity equation:

Where:

• \( \kappa \) — Electrical conductivity (Siemens per meter, S/m)
• \( \rho \) — Electrical resistivity (Ohm meter, Ω·m)

Explanation: The equation shows the inverse relationship between conductivity and resistivity - materials with high resistivity have low conductivity, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Conductivity Calculation

Details: Electrical conductivity is crucial for material selection in electronics, determining insulation properties, assessing water purity, and various industrial applications where electrical properties are critical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistivity in Ω·m. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will compute the corresponding conductivity in S/m.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical conductivity values for common materials?
A: Silver: ~6.3×10⁷ S/m, Copper: ~5.96×10⁷ S/m, Seawater: ~5 S/m, Distilled water: ~5×10⁻⁶ S/m.

Q2: How does temperature affect conductivity?
A: For metals, conductivity decreases with temperature. For semiconductors and electrolytes, conductivity generally increases with temperature.

Q3: What's the difference between conductivity and conductance?
A: Conductivity is an intrinsic property (S/m), while conductance depends on geometry and is measured in Siemens (S).

Q4: Why is conductivity important in water quality testing?
A: Higher conductivity indicates more dissolved ions, which can signal contamination or mineral content in water.

Q5: How is conductivity measured experimentally?
A: Typically using a conductivity meter with electrodes, applying AC voltage to prevent polarization effects.