Electrical resistivity

Electrical resistivity is a fundamental intrinsic property of a material that quantifies how strongly it opposes the flow of electric current. Unlike resistance, which depends on the dimensions of a conductor, resistivity is independent of the material's shape and size, making it a characteristic property of the substance itself.
The SI unit for electrical resistivity is the ohm-meter (Ω·m). Materials with low resistivity, such as metals like copper and silver, are excellent conductors of electricity because their electrons can move freely. Conversely, materials with high resistivity, like rubber or glass, are insulators, as they strongly impede electron flow. Semiconductors, such as silicon, have resistivity values between conductors and insulators, allowing their conductivity to be precisely controlled.
Resistivity is temperature-dependent; for most metals, it increases with temperature as atomic vibrations hinder electron movement. This property is crucial in various applications, from designing electrical circuits and heating elements to understanding geological structures and material science.