How does temperature affect electrical resistance?

Electrical resistance is influenced by temperature due to the behavior of atoms and free electrons in conductive materials. As temperature increases, the atoms in a conductor vibrate more vigorously. This increased motion leads to more frequent collisions between free electrons and the atoms of the conductor, which results in higher resistance.

For metals, this relationship is particularly pronounced. The increased resistance with temperature is often linear within a certain range for many metals, meaning that as the temperature rises, so does the resistance. This is a crucial understanding for electrical engineers and technicians, particularly when designing circuits that may experience variations in temperature.

In contrast, some materials, such as semiconductors, may exhibit different behavior at elevated temperatures, but for the majority of conductive materials used in electrical applications, the general trend is that resistance increases with temperature. This principle is foundational in electrical theory and is essential for accurate measurements and predictions in electrical power testing and applications.