What typically happens to the resistance in a conductor when the temperature increases?

When the temperature of a conductor increases, the resistance typically increases due to the increased kinetic energy of the atoms within the material. As the temperature rises, the atoms vibrate more vigorously, which results in more frequent collisions between the electrons (which carry current) and the atoms themselves. This added collision frequency increases the opposition that electrons face as they move through the conductor, leading to higher resistance.

For many metallic conductors, this phenomenon is well established and can be quantitatively described using the temperature coefficient of resistance. As a result, the general understanding in electrical theory is that the resistance of metallic conductors is directly related to temperature, which contrasts with other materials such as semiconductors, where increased temperatures can lead to decreased resistance. Understanding this relationship is crucial for applications involving temperature changes in electrical systems, as it affects circuit design and energy efficiency.