The resistance of a conductor will change according to what factor?

The way resistance in a conductor changes primarily depends on ambient temperature. As temperature increases, the atoms within the conductor vibrate more intensely, which can lead to more frequent collisions between electrons (the charge carriers) and the atomic lattice of the material. This increase in collisions tends to raise the resistance, as it impedes the flow of current. Conversely, if the temperature decreases, the vibrations of the atoms slow down, potentially allowing electrons to flow more freely, which can lower the resistance.

While other factors, such as the length of the conductor and the material it is made from, also affect resistance, they do not change as dramatically with temperature fluctuations. Material type plays a significant role since different materials have inherent properties that define their resistance, but the current resistance of a conductor can still be variably influenced by ambient temperature dynamics. Thus, the most significant and direct effect on resistance in many practical applications revolves around changes in ambient temperature.