Difference Between Ohmic and Non-Ohmic Conductors
In science, electricity is a very important topic. It is like the invisible blood that runs through our gadgets and lights. To understand how this power moves from one place to another, we need to know about two special types of materials. The main thing we will learn today is the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors. This topic is a favorite for teachers in school tests and big exams. Whether you are looking for the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 10 or just starting your journey into the world of wires and circuits, this guide will make everything feel clear and easy.
Every material in the world has a "mood" when it comes to electricity. Some materials are very stable and follow a set of simple rules, while others are a bit more unpredictable and change their behavior. Knowing the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors is like knowing which friend will always play by the rules and which one might change the game halfway through.
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What are Ohmic Conductors?
Ohmic conductors are materials that follow a very famous and simple rule called Ohm’s Law. This rule is like a promise: if you give a bigger push to the electricity (which we call voltage), the flow of electricity (which we call current) gets bigger in a neat, straight way. Imagine you are pushing a swing. If you push twice as hard, the swing goes twice as high in a perfect pattern. In your NCERT book, you will see that for these materials, the drawing or graph is always a perfect straight line that starts from the zero mark.
When we talk about the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductor class 11, we learn that these materials do not change their personality easily. They have a "fixed resistance." Resistance is just a word for how much a material tries to slow down the electricity. In ohmic conductors, this "slowing down" stays the same no matter how much power you push through them. They are the simplest and most reliable materials to use when you are building a simple circuit for a school project.
Tips For Success in this topic
To do well on this topic in your exams, you should always practice drawing the graphs by hand. One great secret for understanding the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors is to look at the temperature of the material. In your NCERT textbook, it states that most metals stay ohmic only if they do not get too hot. If you are studying the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 12, remember to use the word "slope" when you talk about the straight line in your graph.
Success comes when you can explain things in your own words. Keeping a small list of differences between ohmic and non ohmic conductors with examples like copper wires versus LED lights will make you a top student in your class. Always check your NCERT diagrams twice, because the straightness of the line is the biggest clue you will ever get in a physics test.
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What are Non-Ohmic Conductors?
Non-ohmic conductors are the "rebel" materials that do not follow the straight-line rule. For these materials, the flow of electricity does not move in a neat or predictable way when you change the push. Their resistance is not a fixed number; it actually changes as the electricity flows through them. Because of this, the drawing or graph for these materials does not look like a ruler; instead, it looks like a curve, a wave, or a bent line.
Knowing the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors helps us understand how our smart tools work. While simple wires follow the straight rule, the tiny and clever parts inside your computer, tablet, or phone often do not. This is actually a good thing! It allows these parts to control power in very clever ways, like turning a screen on when you touch it or stopping a battery from getting too full. This complexity is why the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 12 is such a big topic for senior students.
Main Differences
If you are in a hurry and want to see the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors at a glance, here is a simple list to help you:
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Following the Law: Ohmic ones are "law-abiding" and follow Ohm's Law. Non-ohmic ones are "law-breakers" and do not follow it.
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The Drawing (Graph): Ohmic conductors always have a straight graph line. Non-ohmic ones always have a curved or bent graph line.
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The Resistance: In ohmic ones, the resistance is a fixed number that stays the same. In non-ohmic ones, the resistance changes as the electricity or heat changes.
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The Direction: Ohmic materials usually don't care which way you plug them in. Some non-ohmic materials, like diodes, are very picky and only work when the electricity flows in one specific direction.
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Difference Between Ohmic and Non-Ohmic Conductors
| Basis | Ohmic Conductors | Non-Ohmic Conductors |
|---|---|---|
| Ohm’s Law | Follow Ohm’s Law | Do not follow Ohm’s Law |
| Relation between V and I | Voltage is directly proportional to current | Voltage is not directly proportional to current |
| Resistance | Remains constant | Changes with voltage or temperature |
| V–I Graph | Straight line | Curved line |
| Current Flow | Uniform current flow | Non-uniform current flow |
| Temperature Effect | Usually negligible | Strongly affects resistance |
| Examples | Copper wire, nichrome wire, resistor | Diode, transistor, filament bulb |
| Uses | Electrical circuits | Electronic devices |
Read More: List of Physics Formulas for JEE Exams
Difference Between Ohmic and Non-Ohmic Conductors FAQs
1. What is the main difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors?
The main difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors is that ohmic ones have a resistance that stays the same (straight graph), while non-ohmic ones have a resistance that changes (curved graph).
2. Can you give me the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors with examples?
Yes! A simple copper wire is a great ohmic conductor because it is steady. A tiny LED light bulb is a non-ohmic conductor because it changes how it works as it gets more power.
3. Is this topic important for the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 10?
Yes, it is very important! It is one of the most common questions in the electricity chapter. If you remember the straight line, you will do great!
4. Why is the graph for non-ohmic conductors curved?
The graph is curved because the resistance of the material does not stay the same. As the material gets hot or as the electricity push changes, the material reacts differently. This is a key part of the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors.
5. Which book is good to study the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 12?
The NCERT Physics book is the best one. It has all the detailed drawings and the special rules for semiconductors and diodes that you need to know for the difference between ohmic and non ohmic conductors class 12 exam.
