Specific Resistivity as a Function of Temperature

Here is a plot of the specific resistivity vs. temperature for some metals.
The resistivity seems to go to 0 for 0 K. This is not really true, cf. the detailed curve for Na.
Still, simple free electron theory predicts zero resistance at 0 K, and trying to see if that is true was one of the driving forces behind the discovery of superconductivity by Kammerlingh Onnes in 1911.
Temperature dependence specific resistivity

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go to 2.1.1 Conductors

go to Residual Resistivity and Defects

© H. Föll (Electronic Materials - Script)