What happens to the resistance of a conductor when it is heated?

When a conductor is heated, the resistance typically increases due to the behavior of the material at higher temperatures. As the temperature of a conductor rises, the atoms within the material vibrate more vigorously. This increased atomic motion can cause more collisions between the conduction electrons (the electrons responsible for carrying electric current) and the vibrating atoms.

These collisions impede the flow of electric current, resulting in an increase in resistance. This phenomenon is particularly significant in metals, which are commonly used as conductors. For most conductive materials, the relationship between temperature and resistance is linear over moderate ranges, meaning as the temperature increases, so does the resistance.

Therefore, in the context of electric circuits and materials used in electrical engineering, understanding this relationship is crucial for predicting how circuits will behave as operating temperatures change or rise.