A copper wire of cross sectional area 2.5 mm^2 carries a current of 13.5 mA. (a) What is the p

step 1 We have a copper wire which has a cross -sectional area of 2 .5 millimeters squared. Divide by 1

A copper wire of cross sectional area 2.5 mm^2 carries a...

A copper wire of cross sectional area $2.5 \mathrm{~mm}^{2}$ carries a current of $13.5 \mathrm{~mA}$. (a) What is the potential difference across a $2.00 \mathrm{~m}$ length of the wire? (b) What would the potential difference in part (a) be if the wire were silver instead of copper, but all else were the same?

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Key Concepts

Material Properties in Electrical Conduction

Different materials, like copper and silver, have distinct resistivities, which affect their resistance even under identical geometric conditions. This concept highlights how the choice of material is crucial in designing circuits, as it alters the voltage drop and overall performance of the conductor.

Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electricity that relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) through the equation V = IR. This law allows for the calculation of the potential difference across a resistor given the current flowing through it and its resistance.

Resistivity

Resistivity is an intrinsic property of a material that quantifies how much the material opposes the flow of electric current. It is used in determining the resistance of a conductor through the relation R = ?(L/A), where ? is the resistivity, L is the length, and A is the cross-sectional area.

Conductor Geometry

The dimensions of a conductor, specifically its length and cross-sectional area, directly affect its resistance. A longer length or a smaller cross-sectional area results in higher resistance, which in turn influences the voltage drop across the conductor for a given current.

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