RESISTANCE - THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA Depending upon their atomic structure, different materials will have different quantities of free electrons. Therefore, the various conductors used in electrical applications have different values of resistance. The cross-sectional area of a conductor greatly affects the magnitude of resistance. If the cross-sectional area of a conductor is increased, greater quantities of electrons are available for movement through the conductor. Therefore, a larger current will flow for a given amount of applied voltage. 36 of 67
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