Current and Resistance
Resistance and Temperature
For most materials, as the temperature increases, the resistance -- or the resistivity -- also increases. This can make a great difference in something like a light bulb.
alpha is the temperature coefficient of resistivity -- or, simply, the temperature coefficient.
alpha is negative for Carbon. As the temperature of a carbon resistor increases, the resistance decreases.
(c) Doug Davis, 2002; all rights reserved
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