How does increasing the cross-sectional area of a conductor affect its resistance?

How does increasing the cross-sectional area of a conductor affect its resistance?

• A. Resistance decreases.
• B. Resistance increases.
• C. Resistance stays the same.
• D. Resistance becomes unpredictable.

Answer: (A)

The resistance of a conductor is inversely related to its cross-sectional area. If you make the wire thicker while keeping the material ( resistivity), length, and temperature the same, electrons have more pathways to flow through, so there’s less opposition to the current per unit length. This lowers the overall resistance. The relationship is stated by R = ρL/A, so doubling the area, for example, halves the resistance if length and resistivity stay constant. So increasing cross-sectional area decreases resistance, and a thicker wire can carry more current with less resistance at the same voltage.

The resistance of a conductor is inversely related to its cross-sectional area. If you make the wire thicker while keeping the material ( resistivity), length, and temperature the same, electrons have more pathways to flow through, so there’s less opposition to the current per unit length. This lowers the overall resistance. The relationship is stated by R = ρL/A, so doubling the area, for example, halves the resistance if length and resistivity stay constant. So increasing cross-sectional area decreases resistance, and a thicker wire can carry more current with less resistance at the same voltage.