Which factor does NOT affect resistance in a conductor?

Resistance in a conductor is influenced by several key factors, including the length of the conductor, its cross-sectional area, and the type of material it is made from.

The length of the conductor plays a crucial role; as the length increases, the resistance also increases because electrons encounter more opposition as they travel through a longer pathway. Similarly, the cross-sectional area affects resistance: a larger cross-sectional area provides more pathways for electron flow, thereby reducing resistance. Different materials have varying resistivities, impacting how easily electrons can flow through them; materials with lower resistivity (like copper) will have lower resistance, whereas those with higher resistivity (like rubber) will exhibit higher resistance.

The temperature of the surrounding air does not directly influence the intrinsic properties of the conductor itself in terms of resistance; while temperature can affect resistance, it does so through the material properties, and not because of changes in the surrounding air. Therefore, this factor does not form a direct part of the fundamental equation governing resistance in conductors, which is primarily dependent on the factors mentioned above.