TEMPERATURE AND

RESISTANCE OF A
METALLIC CONDUCTOR
Metals like copper, silver, aluminum,
steel and brass are common
conductors of electricity. While
silver and gold are both effective,
they are too expensive for common
use. Individual properties make each
ideal for specific purpose.
Since these metals are also used for
household electrical connection, it
is of great importance to know
some possible causes of
overheating which sometimes
resulted to house fire.
Metal is consisting of different
particles. These particles vibrate
differently on varying
temperature. At low
temperature, particles vibrate
slowly, hence it moves slowly
to and pro within a conductor.
When a metal conductor is exposed
or subjected to a higher temperature,
vibrations become faster resulting to
the rapid movement of particles
within a conductor. Eventually, these
particles collide with each other.
Collision of these particles result in
the increase of resistance, thereby
heating the conductor. In the
succeeding activity, you will
investigate the effect of increasing
temperature on the resistance of a
metallic conductor.
QUESTION 1. IN WHICH PICTURE DO YOU
THINK THE PARTICLES VIBRATE SLOWER?
WHY?
PICTURE A because this set up has only
one burning candle there is less flame and
heat and the atoms or particles
move/vibrate slowly compared to the set
up having 2 burning candles.
IN WHICH PICTURE DO YOU THINK HEAT IS
FELT FASTER IN THE METALLIC
CONDUCTOR? WHY?
PICTURE B. Heat is felt faster
because of the rapid or faster vibration
and movement of atoms due to large
amount of flame as compared to
picture A.
WHY DO YOU THINK HEAT FELT
WHEN A METALLIC CONDUCTOR IS
PUT OVER THE FLAME?
When a metallic conductor is put over the
flame, the atoms vibrate and collide with each
other resulting to increase in resistance. Heat is
then produced and traveled to the bare hands of
the person touching it.
BASED ON YOUR ANSWER IN ITEMS 1 AND 2,
HOW WOULD YOU RELATE TEMPERATURE TO
THE RESISTANCE OF A METALLIC CONDUCTOR?

As seen on the picture, as the

temperature increase, the
resistance of a metallic
conductor also increases.
ANALYZE THE GRAPH AND
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
THAT FOLLOW.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE RESISTANCE
OF A METALLIC CONDUCTOR AS THE
TEMPERATURE INCREASES?

Yes, the resistance of a

conductor will increase when
the temperature is increased.
HOW DOES THE RESISTANCE OF METALLIC
CONDUCTOR CHANGE WITH THE
TEMPERATURE?
When temperature increases in metals, the
positive ions inside the metal conductor
vibrate more and the thermal speed of the
electrons increases, resulting in an increase
in resistance, therefore a decrease in metal
conductivity is seen.
Essay: How important is
knowing the relationship of
temperature and resistance of
the conductor in ensuring
electrical safety at home?