What affects the resistance of a wire?

The resistance of a wire is influenced primarily by both its length and thickness, or cross-sectional area. As the length of a wire increases, the resistance also increases because electrons must travel a greater distance, encountering more collisions with atoms along the way. Conversely, a thicker wire has a larger cross-sectional area, allowing more electrons to flow through simultaneously, which results in lower resistance.

Material also plays a crucial role, as different materials have varying intrinsic resistivities, but the correct choice encompasses the physical dimensions of the wire itself—length and thickness—which are vital in understanding how resistance can be manipulated for specific applications. While temperature can affect resistance, especially in conductive materials, it is secondary to the fundamental impact of wire dimensions. Thus, considering the interplay of these factors is essential for an accurate understanding of electrical resistance in wires.