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Electrical conductivity (general definition)

Description

Electrical resistivity (also known as resistivity, specific electrical resistance, or volume resistivity) is an intrinsic property that quantifies how strongly a given material opposes the flow of electric current. Electrical conductivity or specific conductance is the reciprocal of electrical resistivity, and measures a material’s ability to conduct an electric current. A general definition starts from the fact that if there is electric field inside a material, it will cause electric current to flow. The electrical conductivity defined as the ratio of the density of the current, that an the electric field creates, to the electric field. Conductivity is the inverse of the Electrical resistivity.

Related formulas

Variables

σThe conductivity of the conductor (siemens/m)
JThe magnitude of the current density (A/m2)
EThe magnitude of the electric field (V/m)