Temperature coefficient
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The temperature coefficient is the relative change of a physical property when the temperature is changed by 1 K (kelvin).
- R = physical property
- T = temperature
- T0 = reference temperature
- α = temperature coefficient in the temperature interval Δt = T − T0
- R(T) = R(T0)(1 + α(T − T0))
Here α has the dimensions of an inverse temperature (1/K or K−1).
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Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance
The temperature dependence of electrical resistance and thus of electronic devices (wires, resistors) has to be taken into account when constructing devices and circuits. On the other hand, this property is used in devices such as thermistors.
The temperature dependence of conductors is to a great degree linear, that of a semiconductor is however exponential: R(T) = a * exp(b/T).
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