Skip to search.

Breaking News Visit Yahoo! News for the latest.

×Close this window

  1. Home >
  2. All Categories >
  3. Science & Mathematics >
  4. Physics >
  5. Resolved Question
? ?
Member since:
July 25, 2009
Total points:
38 (Level 1)

Resolved Question

Show me another »

How does the resistance of a copper wire change when both the length and diameter of the wire are double?

How does the resistance of a copper wire change when both the length and diameter of the wire are doubled?

(a)
It decreases by a factor of two.
(b)
It increases by a factor of two.
(c)
It increases by a factor of four.
(d)
It decreases by a factor of four.
(e)
It does not change.
kuiperbelt2003 by kuiperbe...
Member since:
December 15, 2007
Total points:
157,404 (Level 7)

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

the resistance of a wire is given by

R=rho L/A where rho is a characteristic of the material, L is the length and A is the cross sectional area

if the diameter is doubled then the cross sectional area is quadrupled; the resistance varies as 2L/4A or 1/2 the original resistance; in this case, the resistance decreases by a factor of 2, or Ans A is correct
100% 1 Vote

There are currently no comments for this question.

Other Answers (1)

  • Waheed by Waheed
    Member since:
    February 20, 2007
    Total points:
    13,202 (Level 6)
    Resistance = k x length / ( pi/4 ) d^2
    Let Resistance is R ohms
    (a)
    It decreases by a factor of two. new Resistance 4/2 = 2 R

    (b)
    It increases by a factor of two. new resistance = 2/4 = 0.5 R

    (c)
    It increases by a factor of four.new resistance = 4/16 = 0.25 R

    (d)
    It decreases by a factor of four. new resistance = 16 /4 = 4 R

    (e)
    It does not change.new resistance = R
    0% 0 Votes

Answers International

Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. Click here for the Full Disclaimer.

Help us improve Yahoo! Answers. Send Feedback