Conductivity is equal to what?

Conductivity is defined as the ability of a material to conduct electrical current, and it is mathematically expressed as the reciprocal of resistivity. Resistivity measures how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current, while conductivity measures how easily current passes through a material. When dealing with these concepts, the relationship is given by the equation: conductivity (σ) is equal to 1 divided by resistivity (ρ), or σ = 1/ρ. This fundamental relationship is crucial in fields such as electrical engineering and materials science.

Understanding this reciprocal relationship highlights how a material with high conductivity has low resistivity, indicating it allows electric current to flow easily. Conversely, low conductivity correlates with high resistivity, demonstrating greater opposition to current flow. This distinction is essential for anyone working in cathodic protection, as it influences decisions related to material selection and system design in managing corrosion and ensuring the effectiveness of protection systems.