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In Physics / High School | 2014-07-09

What is the exact meaning of cross-section and cross-sectional area of a conductor?

Asked by Charolette470

Answer (2)

The cross section is the little tiny circle you see when you cut a wire and look at the flat, cut end.
The cross-sectional area of the wire is the area of that little circle. It's equal to
Area = (pi) x (1/4) x (Diameter of the wire)²

Answered by AL2006 | 2024-06-10

The cross-section of a conductor is the surface visible when it's cut, while the cross-sectional area is the area of that surface. For cylindrical wires, the area can be calculated using the formula A = 4 π d 2 ​ . These concepts are important as they influence the conductivity and current-carrying capacity of the wire.
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Answered by AL2006 | 2024-10-08