Resistance\Density

[Freak]

I'm doing some coursework and I was wondering. Would there be more resistance in a wire if the wire was less dense.

[norfolk boy]

For less resistance you need to halve the length and double the cross sectional area.

[Drewhound]

I'm struggling with history here (mine) but I think the resistance goes down if the wire is less dense

[thekraut]

resistance is a function of the specific resistance constant (or conductivity constant, if you like)that depends on material and temperature, the length and the cross section of the wire. density does not play a role if the material is solid (as it should be constant for constant temperature). porosity changes things a little bit, but can be accounted for by reducing the cross section accordingly. the material behaviour remains the same, though.

[Drewhound]

thekraut, not doubting what you say for a second, I'm struggling to figure how the density could change if the material is the same? (talking about a solid of course) It would need to be a different material or am I too old for this science?

[thekraut]

as i said, the only way i can think of is by temperature.