Question

Electrical resistivity of a given metallic wire depends upon:
A. its length
B. its thickness
C. its shape
D. nature of the material

Answer 1

Hint: Resistivity is an intrinsic property of a material. It depends only on the nature of the material and is independent of physical parameters like length, shape and thickness.

Complete step by step answer:
Resistivity of a material is an intrinsic property. It is an intensive property i.e. it is not scaled if the system is scaled. It is independent of a material's length, thickness or dimensions and only depends on the nature of the material. Resistivity is a measure of how readily a material resists or conducts electric current passing through it. A material having high resistivity will oppose the flow of current and that with low resistivity will allow easily.

So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Additional Information:
Resistance and resistivity of metals increases with increase in temperature. The increasing temperature will increase the speed and frequency with which the atoms or molecules collide with each other. This will resist the flow of current.
Resistivity in alloys has a large value but weak temperature dependence

Note:
Resistance of the metallic wire will be directly proportional to its length and inversely proportional to its area of cross-section. Resistance will be dependent on length, thickness and shape unlike resistivity.