1. What is the Resistance-Temperature Equation?

The resistance-temperature equation describes how the electrical resistance of a conductor changes with temperature. For steel, the temperature coefficient (α) is approximately 0.005/°C.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the resistance-temperature equation:

Where:

• \( R \) — Resistance at temperature T (Ω)
• \( R_0 \) — Resistance at reference temperature T₀ (Ω)
• \( \alpha \) — Temperature coefficient of resistance (/°C)
• \( T \) — Current temperature (°C)
• \( T_0 \) — Reference temperature (°C)

Explanation: The equation shows that resistance increases linearly with temperature for most metals like steel.

3. Importance of Resistance Calculation

Details: Accurate resistance calculation is crucial for electrical system design, temperature sensing applications, and understanding material properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial resistance in ohms, temperature coefficient in /°C, and both temperatures in °C. The default α value for steel is 0.005/°C.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does resistance change with temperature?
A: As temperature increases, atomic vibrations increase, causing more electron scattering and higher resistance.

Q2: Is the temperature coefficient constant for all steels?
A: No, it varies slightly depending on steel composition, but 0.005/°C is a good approximation.

Q3: What's the reference temperature typically used?
A: 20°C is commonly used as the standard reference temperature.

Q4: Does this work for extreme temperatures?
A: The linear approximation works well for moderate temperature ranges. For extreme temperatures, higher-order terms may be needed.

Q5: How does steel compare to copper in resistance change?
A: Copper has a higher temperature coefficient (≈0.0043/°C) than steel, meaning its resistance changes more with temperature.