Definition

Noun (Physics, Electrical Engineering): 1. The measure of a material's ability to allow the flow of electric current. It is the reciprocal of electrical resistance. A high conductance means the material allows current to flow easily, while a low conductance means it resists the flow. 2. The property of a component or circuit that permits the passage of electric charge. It is quantified as the ratio of the current flowing through it to the potential difference across it.

Examples of Usage

• Copper wire has a high conductance, making it excellent for electrical wiring.
• The conductance of the solution increased when we added salt.
• Engineers measure the conductance of a semiconductor to determine its suitability for a circuit.
• A key parameter in the design of this transistor is its channel conductance.

Advanced Usage

• Specific Conductance: Often used synonymously with , referring to the conductance of a solution between two electrodes of a specific size and distance.
• Thermal Conductance: While alone typically refers to electrical conductance, in a broader physics context, it can be analogous to the property of transmitting heat. The thermal analog is usually specified as "thermal conductance."
• In Circuit Analysis: Conductance (symbol ) is used alongside or instead of resistance (symbol ) in certain calculations, as . This can simplify equations for parallel circuits.

Variants and Related Words

• Conduct (verb): To allow (heat, electricity, etc.) to pass through a material.
• Conduction (noun): The process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance.
• Conductor (noun): A material or device that conducts heat or electricity.
• Conductivity (noun): The degree to which a specified material conducts electricity or heat. It is the intrinsic property, whereas depends on the geometry of the object.
• Superconductance (noun): The phenomenon of zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields occurring in certain materials at very low temperatures.

Synonyms

• Permeability (to current)
• Admittance (in AC circuit theory, admittance is the complex analog of conductance)

Antonyms

• Resistance
• Impedance (in AC circuits)
• Insulation (property)

Noun

1. a material's capacity to conduct electricity; measured as the reciprocal of electrical resistance