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To convert from Siemens per meter to mho per centimeter, you divide by 100.
Example:
Convert a conductivity of 500 S/m to mho/cm.
500 S/m / 100 = 5 mho/cm
Answer: 500 S/m is equal to 5 mho/cm.
Electrical conductivity (often represented by the Greek letter σ, sigma) is a fundamental, intrinsic property of a material that measures its ability to conduct an electric current. It is the direct reciprocal of electrical resistivity (ρ). A material with high conductivity allows electric charge to move through it freely with minimal opposition, while a material with low conductivity strongly resists the flow of charge. This property is what fundamentally distinguishes electrical conductors from insulators and semiconductors, forming the basis of all electronic and electrical technology.
The value of electrical conductivity is determined by the number of mobile charge carriers (usually electrons) within a material and how freely they can move. Metals like silver, copper, and gold have very high conductivity because they possess a large number of 'free' electrons that are not tightly bound to individual atoms. Insulators like glass, rubber, and plastics have very low conductivity because their electrons are tightly bound and cannot move easily. Semiconductors, like silicon, have conductivity values that fall between conductors and insulators, and crucially, their conductivity can be precisely controlled by adding impurities (a process called doping), which is the principle behind transistors and integrated circuits. Understanding this property is essential for material scientists, electrical engineers, and physicists in selecting the right materials for any application, from wiring a house to designing a microprocessor.
σ = 1 / ρ.G = σ * (A / L), where 'A' is the cross-sectional area and 'L' is the length. This can be rearranged to find conductivity: σ = G * (L / A).J = σE. This is a microscopic form of Ohm's Law.Conductivity is an intrinsic property of a material itself (like copper's inherent ability to conduct). Conductance is an extrinsic property of a specific object (like a particular copper wire) that depends on both the material's conductivity and the object's physical dimensions (its length and thickness).
At room temperature, silver is the most electrically conductive element, followed very closely by copper and then gold. Copper is used most often for electrical wiring because it provides excellent conductivity at a much lower cost than silver.
These materials are good insulators because the electrons in their atoms are very tightly bound to the nuclei. There are no 'free' electrons available to move through the material and carry an electric current, so they have extremely low conductivity.
For most metallic conductors, conductivity decreases as temperature increases. This is because the increased thermal vibrations of the metal's atoms get in the way and scatter the flowing electrons, increasing resistance. For semiconductors, conductivity typically increases with temperature, as the heat provides enough energy to free up more charge carriers.
A superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity with exactly zero electrical resistance (and therefore infinite conductivity) when it is cooled below a certain 'critical temperature'. This is a quantum mechanical phenomenon and is one of the most active areas of research in materials science.
Pure water is actually a poor conductor of electricity. The conductivity of water that we typically measure is due to dissolved mineral salts and ions. An electrical conductivity meter is used to measure how well the water can conduct a current, which gives an indication of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water. This is a critical measurement in hydroponics, aquaculture, and water purification.