resistivity

[ ree-zis-tiv-i-tee ]

noun

1. the power or property of resistance.
2. Also called specific resistance. Electricity. the resistance between opposite faces of a one-centimeter cube of a given material; ratio of electric intensity to cross-sectional area; reciprocal of conductivity.

resistivity

/ ˌriːzɪsˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the electrical property of a material that determines the resistance of a piece of given dimensions. It is equal to RA/l , where R is the resistance, A the cross-sectional area, and l the length, and is the reciprocal of conductivity. It is measured in ohms ρ Former namespecific resistance
2. the power or capacity to resist; resistance

resistivity

/ rē′zĭs-tĭv′ĭ-tē /

1. A measure of the potential electrical resistance of a conductive material. It is determined experimentally using the equation ρ = RA/l, where R is the measured resistance of some length of the material, A is its cross-sectional area (which must be uniform), and l is its length. It is measured in ohm-meters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of resistivity¹

First recorded in 1880–85; resistive + -ity

Example Sentences

The entire matter resolves itself into one of individual tolerance, resistivity, and constitution.

From Project Gutenberg

This observation is closely related to the above-mentioned resistivity of the carbon-link, and corroborates it in a special case.

From Project Gutenberg

Resistivity is a quality in which material substances differ very widely.

From Project Gutenberg

The resistivity of non-metallic conductors is in all cases higher than that of any pure metal.

From Project Gutenberg

The volume resistivity of alloys is, generally speaking, much higher than that of pure metals.

From Project Gutenberg