What is the effect of temperature on the resistance of most conductors?

The effect of temperature on the resistance of conductors is well-understood and is primarily associated with the behavior of free electrons within the material. As the temperature increases, the amount of thermal energy given to the conductor's atoms also increases. This, in turn, causes the atoms to vibrate more vigorously, which interferes with the flow of electrons.

When electrons are impeded by this increased atomic movement, the overall ability of the conductor to allow electric current to pass through diminishes, resulting in an increase in electrical resistance. This phenomenon is particularly significant in metallic conductors, where the relationship between temperature and resistance can often be predicted using a linear approximation for small temperature ranges.

In contrast, some other materials like semiconductors or insulators can have their resistance decrease with an increase in temperature, but that behavior does not apply to most conductors. Additionally, the idea that resistance remains unchanged or fluctuates erratically with temperature does not accurately represent the consistent and predictable relationship observed in conductors.