Temperature coefficient of metallic resistance

Abstract

An experiment on a thermal change in the electric resistance is an important

means on understanding the behavior of free electrons in a metal. Solid
materials are classified into conductors, semiconductors or insulators
according to their electrical properties. The resistivity of conducting materials
is very small (<10-6 Ω.m) and increase with temperature. In this experiment we
will observe the temperature dependence of the resistance for a metallic
conductor to learn about microscopic mechanism that govern the bulk motions
of conduction electrons.

Objective

Determine the temperature coefficient of resistivity for a copper sample.

Theory

The number of conduction electrons and electron mobility are two of the most
important factors that determine the temperature dependence of resistivity of
a material. The mobility is the dominant factor that regulates the resistance of
a metal, which is inversely proportional to the absolute temperature T and
leads to a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity that is independent of
temperature.

Fig.1
A part of the valence electrons in a metallic substance are detached from
individual atoms and free to move throughout the whole volume of the metal,
while the remaining electrons are tightly bound to each nucleus, forming a
metallic ion. These free electrons act as current carriers (conduction electrons).
They are considered to undergo thermal motion, collide with the positive ions
and scatter off in random directions. Therefore, the net average velocity is zero
as shown in fig.1(a). If an electric field is applied, the conduction electrons are
accelerated to the direction of E between collisions as shown in fig.1(b).
therefore, the current flow in the direction of the field. According to Newton’s
second law, the acceleration of a conduction electron of mass m in an electric
field of magnitude E is

𝑒𝐸
𝑎=− (1)
𝑚

The average time interval between two collisions is called the mean free time
(τ) and the average electron gains drift velocity 𝑎𝜏 during this time interval.
Drift speed 𝑣𝑑 is given by

𝑒𝜏
𝑣𝑑 = 𝐸 (2)
𝑚

If the number density of the conduction electrons is (n), the current density (j)
is

𝑗 = −𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑑 = 𝑛𝑒𝜇𝐸, (3)

𝑒𝜏
𝜇= , (4)
𝑚

Where μ is the mobility of the conduction electrons. The coefficient of

proportionality in eq.3 is called the conductivity and its reciprocal is the
resistivity and we can write eq.3 as

1
𝑗 = 𝜎𝐸 = 𝐸, (5)
𝜌

1
Where 𝜎 = 𝑛𝑒𝜇 and 𝜌 = 𝑛𝑒𝜇 = 𝑛𝑒𝑚2𝜏. (6)
From quantum mechanics, collisions between conduction electrons and
positive ions caused by lattice disorders, and the frequency of the collisions is
proportional to the absolute temperature except very low temperatures. Hence
the resistivity and resistance of a metal is proportional to the absolute
temperature, and expressed as

𝜌𝑙
𝜌(𝑇) = 𝜌𝑜 (1 + 𝛼𝑇) [Ω.m], 𝑅 =
𝐴

𝑅(𝑇) = 𝑅𝑜 (1 + 𝛼𝑇) [Ω] (7)

Where α is the temperature coefficient of resistivity and it doesn’t depend on

the type of metallic sample.

Experiment

Apparatus:

Operating procedure:

1) Fill the outer vessel with about 1.2 L of water.

2) Fill the inner vessel with about 0.4 L of water.
3) Set the outer and inner vessels in position and hold the inner vessel
with a fastener.
4) Put the mercury thermometer and the experimental sample in the
inner vessel, use the clips to fix them in position.
5) But the outer vessel on the electric heater.
6) Connect the heater with a power supply and your sample with a
multimeter.
7) While heating, observe and record the thermometer reading and the
resistance.
8) Plot a graph between the (T) and (R) from which you will obtain the
value of (α).

References

Tomayuki Nakayama, Tokyo-Kyogakuaha Co., Japan.