How does temperature affect the conductivity of a material?
1 Answer
Temperature can have a significant impact on the conductivity of a material, particularly for substances like metals and semiconductors. The relationship between temperature and conductivity varies depending on the type of material and its electronic properties.
Metals:
In metals, conductivity typically decreases with an increase in temperature. This is because the conductivity of metals is primarily due to the movement of free electrons. When the temperature rises, the atoms in the metal lattice vibrate more vigorously, leading to more frequent collisions between the free electrons and the lattice ions. These collisions hinder the movement of electrons,
Metals:
In metals, conductivity typically decreases with an increase in temperature. This is because the conductivity of metals is primarily due to the movement of free electrons. When the temperature rises, the atoms in the metal lattice vibrate more vigorously, leading to more frequent collisions between the free electrons and the lattice ions. These collisions hinder the movement of electrons,