When the temperature of a metal rises, its resistivity increases.

Quick Scoop

  • Metals have many free electrons that carry current.
  • As temperature increases, metal ions in the lattice vibrate more strongly.
  • These stronger vibrations cause more frequent collisions between free electrons and ions.
  • More collisions mean electrons are hindered more, so resistivity (and resistance) go up with temperature.

In simple exam language:

When the temperature of a metal increases, the resistivity of the metal increases (it has a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity) because increased thermal vibrations of ions cause more frequent collisions of electrons, reducing their mean free path.

Extra note (for contrast)

  • For most metals: temperature ↑ → resistivity ↑ (approximately linear over a moderate range of temperatures).
  • In semiconductors, the opposite happens: temperature ↑ → resistivity ↓, because the number of charge carriers increases rapidly.

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Learn what is the effect of temperature rise on resistivity of a metal: why resistivity of metals increases with temperature, how lattice vibrations and electron collisions play a role, plus quick exam-ready wording.

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