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What is the correct sequence of resistivity of silver, nichrome and glass at room temperature ?
Explanation
The electrical resistivity of a material determines its ability to oppose electric current. Silver is the best known conductor of electricity, possessing the lowest resistivity of approximately 1.59 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m at room temperature [1]. Nichrome, an alloy of nickel, chromium, manganese, and iron, is designed for high resistance and stability at high temperatures; its resistivity is significantly higher than pure metals, typically around 1.10 × 10⁻⁶ Ω m [3]. Glass is an insulator and offers extremely high resistance to current flow, with resistivity values ranging from 10¹⁰ to 10¹⁴ Ω m [1]. Therefore, the correct sequence of increasing resistivity at room temperature is Silver (lowest), followed by Nichrome (intermediate), and Glass (highest). This order reflects the transition from a highly efficient conductor to an alloy and finally to a potent insulator.
Sources
- [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: Electricity > Activity 11.3 > p. 179
- [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects > Activity 4.5: Let us observe > p. 53
- [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: Electricity > Activity 11.1 > p. 175