What effect does temperature generally have on resistance of a conductor?

In conductors, particularly metallic ones, resistance typically increases with temperature. This is due to the increased thermal energy that causes the metal ions to vibrate more vigorously. As the temperature rises, these vibrations make it more difficult for the free electrons to flow through the conductor, leading to a higher resistance.

At low temperatures, the atoms in the conductor are more stable, resulting in less interference with the movement of electrons. However, as the temperature increases, the movement of atoms becomes more chaotic, which hinders the flow of electrons and thus increases resistance. This relationship is a fundamental principle in understanding electrical conductivity in materials, especially metals.