Question

Describe three different ways how a copper wire can be made to have the same resistance as a certain piece of aluminum wire. You cannot change anything about the aluminum wire, but are free to alter the copper wire as needed (but it must remain copper).

Answer 1

Resistance, R = * L / A

the wire should remain copper, so we cannot change resistivity.

1) Increasing or decreasing length of copper wire to increase or decrease resistance respectively (keeping diameter constant).

2) Increasing or decreasing the diameter of copper wire to decrease or increase resistance respectively, by changing the cross sectional area (keeping length constant).

3) changing length as well as diameter simultaneously to change resistance.